MODULE 2

Causes

Gas is frequent during pregnancy because your intestines (bowels) have slowed down. Gas has, therefore, more time to form. The pressure of the uterus on the stomach and the intestines also causes gas.

What can I do?

• Think about the foods you ate just before experiencing gas pains. Reduce the foods that cause this problem. Several foods may cause gas. They are different for different people.
• Avoid constipation. Follow the advice given in the section on constipation.
• Remain active

If nothing works?

• Gas is embarrassing but in most cases, not a major problem.
• If gas becomes painful, talk with your health care provider.

Causes

You are constipated if your stools are hard and dry or if you have difficulty having a bowel movement. Constipation is very unpleasant but can be treated naturally.

The intestines (bowels) function less during pregnancy. This may result in constipation. Women taking iron supplements may become constipated. Changes in diet and decreasing exercises can also cause constipation. Later in the pregnancy, the pressure of the uterus against the intestines can aggravate the problem.

What can I do?

Here are a few tips to alleviate constipation.

If nothing works?

• Talk with your health care provider if the problem persists more than a week.
• If your health care provider has prescribed iron supplements, ask if you should stop taking them.
• Never take a laxative or other medication without talking with your health care provider.

Causes

When you are pregnant, the walls of your blood vessels loosen because of the hormones and stretch in order to transport more blood. In addition, the uterus that is getting larger increases the pressure on the leg veins. Blood circulates more slowly and tends to accumulate in the veins. This may result in varicose veins.

If you have varicose veins, they will get worse during pregnancy. We often say that varicose veins run in the family. These veins are more frequent in overweight women, women carrying twins, or women who stand for long periods. Fatigue can also favour the development of varicose veins.

What can I do?

Here are few tips to help prevent varicose veins during pregnancy.

If you have varicose veins:

• On the legs: Wear support stockings. Put them on before getting up in the morning. If you get up before putting them on and your legs swell, lie back down for ten minutes with your legs elevated before putting your stockings on.

If nothing works?

• Discuss with your health care provider.
• Consult your health care provider before taking any medication.

Causes

Back pain may be the result of poor posture during pregnancy. It may be caused by the stretching of the ligaments that attach the uterus to the belly that is now bigger. Obesity can aggravate back pain.

What can I do?

• Do not gain more than the recommended weight.
• Wear shoes offering good support.
• Stand straight, tighten buttocks and hold your belly in. Good posture will help to relieve the pressure on your back.
• Yoga can help stretch and reinforce the lower back.
• Lift and carry objects with care. Bend your knees and not your back. You will find tips on how to lift in Module 6 entitled "Healthy Activity".
• Sleep on a hard mattress. Turn on your side with your knees bent towards your chest. Your blood circulation will improve if you sleep on your left side. A special therapeutic pillow may also help.
• Use straight back chairs when possible.
• A hot compress, hot water bottle, hot bath, or ice can also alleviate the pain.
• Ask your partner or someone else to massage your back.
• Rotate your pelvis and do abdominal exercises every day. These exercises are found in Module 6 entitled "Healthy Activity". Doing the pelvic tilt exercise is a very efficient way to alleviate back pain. The method is described below.

If nothing works?

• If your back pain persists, and you are worried, consult your health care provider.
• Consult your health care provider before taking any medication.
• Try massage therapy (massage by a certified massage therapist). Certain group insurance plans cover this type of treatment.

Causes

It is normal to have more vaginal discharge when you are pregnant. If this discharge is milky and fluid, there is no need to worry even if it is plentiful.

If the discharge irritates, causes a burning sensation, or has a bad smell, you may have an infection. In this case, consult your health care provider.

What can I do?

• Keep the area clean and dry.
• If the discharge is abundant, wear a pad.
• Do not use a vaginal douche.

Causes

Pregnant women may feel dizzy and faint because of increased blood circulation. The circulatory system works hard during pregnancy. The uterus exerts pressure on the large blood vessels causing the blood pressure to decrease. Pregnant women with anemia (low iron in the blood) are more prone to dizzy spells and fainting.

What can I do?

Here are a few tips if you are prone to fainting.

Causes

We all have headaches from time to time. So do pregnant women. During pregnancy, certain women have more headaches than usual because of the changes occurring in their circulatory system. Headaches can also be caused by fatigue or stress.

What can I do?

• Take note of items that cause your headaches and try to avoid them. Eye strain, cigarette smoke, coffee and fluorescent lighting can cause headaches for certain people.
• Rest often.
• Eat several small meals. Do not go for long periods of time without eating.
• Drink lots of liquids.

When you have a headache:

• Rest in a calm area.
• Place a wet compress on your forehead or neck. Some people prefer a hot compress while others prefer a cold compress.
• Rub your neck, shoulders, face, and scalp. It is even better if someone does it for you.
• Get some fresh air.

If nothing works?

• Do not take any painkillers without talking to your health care provider.
• Talk to your health care provider if you often have headaches.
• Consult your health care provider immediately if you have a severe headache, if it lasts for a long time, or if your vision becomes blurred.

Causes

The need to urinate increases during the first three months of pregnancy. It is also common during the last weeks before the birth of the baby because the uterus pushes on the bladder which can no longer hold as much urine. You must, therefore, empty your bladder more often.

What can I do?

• It is recommended to drink a lot of liquid during pregnancy. Do not reduce the quantity of liquids you drink during the day.
• If you must get up often during the night to use the bathroom, drink less liquid in the evening.

If nothing works?

• Do not worry. It may bother you, but it is normal.
• If you feel any pain or a burning sensation when you urinate, consult your health care provider. You may have a bladder infection.

Causes

Morning nausea and morning sickness are expressions used to indicate the urge to vomit (nausea) or the act of vomiting. This condition usually occurs during the first three months of pregnancy but may last longer. Even if we use the term morning sickness, you may experience this at any time during the day or night.

What can I do?

Certain pregnant women experience nausea while others never do. If you are in the first group, you may be unable to avoid nausea, but you may be able to prevent vomiting by trying the following suggestions. You may have to try several tricks before finding the one that is best for you.

If nothing works?

• Talk it over with your health care provider.
• Do not take any medication without consulting your health care provider.
• Don't worry. Although this is very unpleasant for you, morning sickness will not affect the growth or the health of your baby.

Causes

For most pregnant women, the breasts change from the beginning of the pregnancy until the baby's birth. Your breasts may increase in size. Superficial veins may be prominent and you may feel tingling around the nipples. The dark pigmented area around the nipple (areola) may increase in size and become darker. The little lumps found on the areola may become more apparent.

The following diagram illustrates breast changes during pregnancy.

As pregnancy progresses, you may notice a yellowish, sticky liquid running from your nipples. It is the colostrum that your breasts produce before producing milk. All these changes prepare your body to produce milk so you can feed your baby.

What can I do?

• If your breasts are tender and painful, wearing a maternity bra could help you.
• It is important to wear a good bra when exercising or being active.
• Certain women wear a bra during the night because they feel more comfortable.
• Do not hand express or pump your breasts during pregnancy as this can start labour (the hormone, oxytocin, which contracts the uterus, is released). You can wear nursing pads if your breasts are leaking.