Top Ten Pregnancy Complaints and the BEST Solutions- Part 2
*PART 2* We asked you what was ailing you and it turns out that the responses we got were a lot of the same pregnancy complaints- things that top the list for pregnant women all over the world. You are NOT alone! So we made our list, did the research, and we are excited to give you all the details about how you can find relief.
Ligament Pain
-10-30% of women experience these quick shooting pains on the sides of the belly. More common/uncomfortable as baby grows during the second and third trimesters.
-Caused by Relaxin
-Can happen when changing positions (rolling over, sitting to standing, laying down to
sitting, etc.), cough, sneeze, and/or laugh
SOLUTIONS
-Pelvic tilts, stretching/yoga: especially cat/cow but not too extended, maternity belt, and to hear the rest, listen to the podcast!
WATCH OUT & TALK TO PROVIDER IF...
-You experience abdominal cramping, burning with urination (UTI/kidney pain can sometimes be similar-ish), have sharp pains that do not go away, four or more contractions in an hour pre-term, spotting, anything else unusual.
THE GOOD NEWS
-This goes away pretty quickly after you give birth!
Swelling
-About 80% of women experience swelling during pregnancy.
-Caused by increase of blood by 50% and bodily fluids, weight gain, gravity, hot weather, being on your feet = swelling at the end of the day, preeclampsia
SOLUTIONS
-Epsom salt baths, salt foods to taste & avoid high-salt, greasy, high-processed foods, and to hear the rest take a listen!
WATCH OUT & CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER IF...
-You have excessive swelling, puffiness in face and hands, edema/swelling with pitting, rapid weight gain
THE GOOD NEWS
-You guessed it! This should go away shortly after you give birth - a few days to a few weeks.
Nightmares
-Couldn’t find a statistic on this one but I know we’ve had them and most women I speak to have experienced them too
-Caused by fluctuating hormones and interruptions of sleep cycles
SOLUTIONS
-Meditation, having a bedtime routine, Juniper Berry essential oil, and to hear the other solutions...listen in!
WATCH OUT & TALK TO YOUR PROVIDER IF...
-The dreams are making you depressed/anxious/scared/etc.
THE GOOD NEWS
-You’ll have new nightmares after baby is born! haha!
Sciatica/Back Pain
-50-80% of women have back pain during pregnancy
-General back pain: caused by growing baby
-For Sciatica: uterus puts pressure on sciatic nerve, pain that shoots from lower back down legs on one side or the other
-Sciatica caused by: weight gain, posture, poor sleeping positions, lack of strength
SOLUTIONS
-Doing the exercises from our 3 Free Exercise Guide: pelvic tilts stretch and strengthen, squats help back to be straight, better posture practices, sitting on a birth ball, and listen for the rest!
WATCH OUT & TALK TO YOUR PROVIDER IF...
-Limping/can’t walk, cannot sleep, in severe pain
THE GOOD NEWS
-This typically improves with the birth of the baby!
Mental/Emotional Negativity
-20% but likely closer to 30-40% because of it being undiagnosed/untreated
-Caused by hormonal changes, lifestyle changes, lack of sleep, Covid/Uncertainty/Quarantine, worries/concerns about being a mother, worries/concerns about your current relationship, worries/concerns about finances, prior mood disorders, family history of mood disorders
SOLUTIONS
-Reach out for help to the right people, counselor/psychologist/prenatal counselor, eat healthy & drink water, take your prenatal vitamins, yoga/exercise, and more that we cover in the episode
WATCH OUT & CONTACT PROVIDER IF...
-Clouds/waves of darkness, thoughts that keep you awake, not being able to sleep - more than just pregnancy discomfort, any inappropriate/unwanted thoughts you cannot get rid of, crying a lot, anger that does not subside
THE GOOD NEWS
-While these can follow you into the postpartum period, they are less likely to have as
negative of an effect if you talk about them and ask for help early!
-Also some mothers find relief a few weeks to a few months after baby is born as
hormones work on getting back to “normal”
