Family Concerns

The article below is from a series of baby-related articles, tips and information about healthy pregnancy …

Pregnancy can be the most special time of your life, as you prepare to bring a new baby into the world. But considering the complaints and woes of many expectant moms, pregnancy can also be an event you wished you could fast forward through and get over as quickly as possible. There are plenty of challenges associated with being pregnant that can make your gestation period some of the worst you’ve ever experienced, and friends and family may wonder where that bright, maternal glow that’s supposed to be around you has gone to. Finding advice from other women who’ve experienced your symptoms may give you some relief, but here are a few rescue tips for the woes of pregnancy.

Generally, eating a small snack helps with morning sickness (hence the theory that crackers make morning sickness pass), so arm yourself with something healthy to munch on and have it accessible to you at all times of the day. Dehydration is a risk of morning sickness, usually with pregnant women who’ve been experiencing severe vomiting, so ensure you have plenty of bottled water and take frequent sips throughout the day, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Avoiding spicy foods and eating smaller, snack-sized meals can also help to calm that nausea.

Headaches are another common pregnancy complaint and you can have some dreadful ones. Try to lie down in a dark room and close your eyes to rest. Some women find a moist cloth on their forehead to be helpful in easing the pain. If cleared by your doctor, you can take some acetaminophen safely, following the recommended dosage.

Heartburn is a complaint of the later months, when your growing baby puts more pressure on your stomach and causes acid reflux. You can try propping yourself up when you lie down, so that the upper part of your body is above your tummy. The foods you eat can affect whether you get heartburn or not and the size of your meals can be a significant factor as well. A full stomach and a baby don’t go well together at all. Should you need medication to ease the discomfort, Maalox is the recommended choice, or your doctor can provide you with a prescription.

Feeling hotter than normal is something many expectant mothers experience. Dress comfortably and in layers so that if you do feel too warm, you can take some clothing off. Summertime is harder on pregnant women, and the heat can make you feel very uncomfortable, so stay near a fan or a pool and feel free to shed as many clothes as you want. It’s better to not cover yourself up and expose your skin to the air so your body can cool itself down more efficiently.

There’s a wide range of pregnancy-related complaints and they aren’t all covered in this article, so feel free to consult pregnancy websites and community forums for pregnant moms to find different solutions to those expectant mother woes. Try out other women’s ideas to find relief or consult your pharmacist for over-the-counter solutions to yeast infections or other medical symptoms. Aches and pains related to pregnancy can usually be eased with a soothing massage from a spouse or partner. If all else fails, ask your doctor or natural health practitioner to advise you on relief or medication, as he or she’s probably got a good solution to healp reduce your discomfort.

For more information on parenting, go here: Morning Sickness