Pregnancy woes: the top ten most common side effects
There is a circulating myth that pregnancy is nine months of glowing bliss. Yes, there are some women that love being pregnant and do it with complete ease, but the majority of women have a tough time with being pregnant, and for good reason. The following are the most common challenges of pregnancy that women experience as their body undergoes rapid shifts and an influx of hormones.
Morning sickness
Imagine a hangover that lasts all day every day minus the fun from the cocktails the evening prior. Most pregnant women suffer from nausea, vomiting, or both during their first trimester. Symptoms are usually worse in the morning, but they can continue all day long. Nausea often eases significantly by about 14 weeks, but unfortunately for some, it can last throughout. If you are having trouble keeping food or water down, contact your doctor.
Frequent urination
This starts as early as the first trimester and increases in frequency as the pregnancy continues. Hormonal changes cause blood to flow more quickly to your kidneys, filling your bladder more often. And later, your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder. Plus, pregnancy requires extra hydration! At least 8-10 glasses of water per day which means more frequent trips to the bathroom. If at any point you believe the frequency is too frequent or you experience pain or burning with urination, contact your doctor.
Vaginal discharge
This is the symptom that most women aren’t expecting because it is one that is the least talked about. Due to increased estrogen production and greater blood flow to the vaginal area, there is an increase in the production of an odorless milky discharge. Most people get worried that it is an infection, and it is important to always check with your doctor that it is not, but nine times out of ten it is normal.
Gas and bloating
As hormones increase and digestion slows down you may experience extreme bloating starting in the first trimester. You may also experience increased flatulence and belching. As you enter the second trimester these symptoms seem to improve, but in the third trimester, they return along with acid reflux.
Bleeding gums
As you can imagine the first morning that this occurs leads to a freak out moment followed by a call to both the OB-GYN and the dentist. Therefore, it is good to know that during pregnancy it is common to have swollen, tender gums that bleed when you floss or brush. With that being said, always talk to your doctor especially if the bleeding seems to continue for long periods of time.
Constipation
Constipation affects many pregnant women. The hormone progesterone that is increased during pregnancy slows the movement of food through your digestive tract. The problem is compounded later in pregnancy by the pressure of your growing uterus on your intestines. Ways to combat this are; a vegetable based stool softener, magnesium supplement, and drinking lots of water.
Excessive salivation
Some women feel as though they’re salivating more than usual during pregnancy, especially when they’re nauseated.This is fairly common. Some women even find themselves needing to spit more often.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels in the rectal area that have become unusually swollen. They can be merely itchy or downright painful, and sometimes they even cause rectal bleeding, especially during a bowel movement. Some women get hemorrhoids for the first time while they’re pregnant –if you’ve had them before pregnancy, you’re quite likely to have them again. The aforementioned increase in constipation that occurs in pregnancy contributes to the risk of hemorrhoids developing. So trying to eat a balanced and nutritious diet with plenty of hydration helps. Also, hemorrhoids usually improve and/or resolve after the pregnancy is over.
Nosebleeds
Pregnancy can cause the blood vessels in your nose to expand, and your increased blood supply puts more pressure on those delicate vessels, making them rupture more easily. This often catches women off guard - if this occurs simply apply pressure with a tissue. If it seems to not stop easily- contact a healthcare provider.
Swollen extremities (edema)
Different women become swollen at different times in their pregnancy and some women do not have swelling at all. Staying well hydrated and minimizing salt intake can help, but even if a woman is doing “all the right things” her body can retain excess fluid during pregnancy. This most commonly occurs in the feet,ankles and calves. Compression stockings and elevating your feet at night will help alleviate some of the swelling. If you notice a large amount of swelling that seems out of the ordinary, contact your healthcare provider.
Women experience these aches and pains of pregnancy on a daily basis, but what is worse than the pains they experience is the guilt that they feel admitting that they are having a hard time. Many expectant mothers feel embarrassed and shameful that they do not absolutely love their pregnancy. The truth is relishing in all of the moments of those forty weeks is an unrealistic expectation that women place on themselves.
Women also worry that if they do not love being pregnant then they are not cut out for motherhood. This is simply not true. If you do not like being pregnant, don’t feel bad. You are amongst many. It isn’t a fun time for everybody and that is okay.
It is a necessary time though. Although unpleasant, it is an important time for a woman to get used to her life changing. It is the beginning of many sleepless nights to come. Her time spent alone, social life and body will forever be changed.
And just as it is difficult to get around with a large uterus, huge breasts and an extra thirty pounds, it will be equally as difficult to take your baby, car seat, stroller, milk, and diaper bags anywhere. It is okay, there are many changes you are experiencing and also many more to come. You got this.
Written by co-founder Dr. Pari Ghodsi OBGYN