The A-Z of Pregnancy Niggles - Part 2

Insomnia

Insomnia in pregnancy can be caused by general discomfort, nocturnal toilet visits, back ache, leg cramps or even anxiety. Do what you can to relieve discomfort; otherwise, the best cure for insomnia is good “sleep hygiene”. Here are some tips: Make your bedroom sleep-friendly. Dark, quiet and comfortable. Your bedroom is for sleep and sex only - not TV, paying bills or doing crosswords. If you can bear it, keep animals out. Adopt a sleep-friendly lifestyle: you need a sleep routine as much as you’re children, as well as regular exercise (but not just before bed) and a balanced diet. Avoid large meals before bedtime. Alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine are an absolute no-no before bed (and generally in pregnancy). Try sipping chamomile tea an hour or so before bed and learn a relaxation technique such as meditation to practice at night. Natural therapists believe some insomnia is caused by an imbalance in the calcium magnesium ratio. A cup of warm milk and honey or molasses before bed or in wakeful times can help. Worst case scenario: Doctors are reluctant to prescribe sedatives or sleeping pills during pregnancy. If the problem gets really bad, it may be worth seeing a sleep therapist – check with your LMC (lead maternity career).

Pelvic Pain

This tends to occur later in the pregnancy as the uterus gets bigger and muscles soften. One of the most common sorts of pelvic pain experienced during pregnancy is frontal pain over the pubis. If you experience this, try to avoid sitting with your legs crossed and visit a physiotherapist for exercises and a “belly belt” to support your pelvis. Spending time off your feet will help. If you are having difficulty moving about or have any numbness or weakness in your legs or buttocks, check with your LMC.

Swelling

Swollen ankles are common in pregnancy and usually pose no health risk. But if you experience sudden swelling in your ankles and/or legs, hands or face, contact your LMC to check your blood pressure, as this could be the first obvious sign of toxemia. If the swelling isn’t a symptom of something more serious, there are several ways you can relieve it. Elevation is one strategy – sit and sleep with your legs higher than your hips. Exercise can provide relief, especially aqua walking. Don’t limit your fluid intake. Keep drinking six to eight glasses of water a day.

Thrush

If you are experiencing itching or soreness and burning around the vagina you may have thrush. It is normally accompanied by a thick white discharge and is caused by the yeast Candida alb cans which occur naturally in the body. Try to reduce the amount of yeast in your diet by cutting out white flour and increase your levels of whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Avoid tight fitting clothes and choose clothes made of natural fibers (such as cotton). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to prescribe a safe treatment cream.

Varicose Veins

Pregnancy hormones render your veins less efficient at propelling blood, so the blood tends to pool. This can cause varicose veins in the legs and vulva. The same hormones also make pregnant women more prone to constipation, so the straining can trigger varicose veins around the anus (piles or hemorrhoids). Iron supplements often taken in pregnancy can also cause constipation. To prevent and relieve them, put your legs up vertically against a wall at least once a day. Even better, get your partner to rub vitamin E down your legs while you do this. Thick elastic compression stockings really help relieve the pain. Witch hazel (hammerless) is a natural therapy for varicose veins. It can be made into compresses, bought as an ointment or cream or taken as a homoeopathic remedy. If your veins become hard or red there may be a small clot – see your doctor because this could be a symptom of an underlying deep vein thrombosis.

Vulvae Veins

Elevation and compression is the answer here. Witch-hazel may help or you can get compression girdles through obstetric physiotherapists.

Hemorrhoids

Avoiding constipation is critical to preventing hemorrhoids. If you notice any changes at all to your bowel routine, take measures early: exercise regularly, increase your fluid intake to two to three liters of water a day, eat plenty of fruit (especially kiwifruit and dried fruit such as prunes and apricots) and vegetables, have plenty of whole grains and try bulking agents such as Metamucil. Talk to your LMC before taking laxatives, because these can bring on premature labor. Tips for treating hemorrhoids include: After you've had a bowel motion, get your bottom in the air by bending over a chair or lying on the bed with a pillow under your hips. Try applying a witch hazel poultice, ointment or cream, or a crushed plantain poultice. You can push the piles back in yourself. Sitting in a warm bath can relieve the pain and if you have minor bleeding and pain, add a handful of Epsom salts to the water. Worst case scenario: Prescription steroid creams may help or in extremely rare situations, you may need an operation to treat severe piles.

Warning Signs

Contact your lead maternity career (LMC) straight away if you have any of the following: Vaginal bleeding Burning or stinging when passing urines Sever abdominal pains, cramps or contractions Sever headaches or visual disturbances Fever Persistent vomiting Waters leaking Less than 10 baby movements per day (in later pregnancy)