Help for Common Symptoms While Pregnant
Many women have symptoms in their bodies while pregnant. This is a list of the most common symptoms, with ideas to treat them. If these continue or get worse, please contact your nurse-midwife or doctor.
Backache
This is caused by a change in your posture. Hormones cause the joints and ligaments in your pelvis to relax. These changes may cause backache and joint pain. These tips may be helpful.
- Wear a support bra.
- Wear low-heeled shoes.
- Use proper body movements – when lifting or moving.
- Try not to sit, stand, or walk for a long time.
- Use pillows to support your lower back and legs when you sleep.
- Take a warm tub bath for 30 minutes.
- Have a massage, do some deep breathing or stretch your body.
- Do pelvic rocking exercises.
- Start or maintain an exercise routine 3-4 times a week. There are classes and home-based programs geared for pregnant women.
- Eat foods high in calcium and magnesium.
- Have chiropractic treatments.
- Wear a pregnancy support belt.
- Have physical therapy treatments.
- It is okay to use Tylenol® up to 1000 mg every now and then. Do not take over 4000 mg in 24 hours.
Constipation
This is caused by the slowing of gastric action and pressure from the growing baby. Taking iron supplements and exercising less add to this problem.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.
- Eat more fruits and veggies.
- Increase high fiber foods such as bran muffins or other whole grain foods.
- Drink prune juice – ½ to 1 cup each day or eat prunes.
- Take a magnesium supplement - 200 mg two or three times a day.
- Try to have a routine for bowel habits. If you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, be sure to go.
- Start or maintain an exercise routine.
- Homeopathic remedies are often used.
- Bulk laxatives like Metamucil®, Citrucel®, or Serutan® may be used.
- A stool softener such as Colace® may be used.
Colds, Flu, and Allergies
When the first symptoms of a cold or flu appear, try to:
- Increase fluids to 10 glasses or more a day.
- Take more vitamin C, up to 1000 to 2000 mg each day.
- Take 2 capsules of garlic 3 times a day.
- Drink herbal teas – ginger, yarrow, echinacea, or chamomile.
- Drink lemon and honey in hot water.
- Take echinacea tinctures or capsules every 3 hours while you have symptoms.
- Inhale steam from eucalyptus oil in boiling water. Be careful to avoid burns.
- Gargle with salt water to relieve sore throat: ½ teaspoon salt to 1 cup of water.
- Remain active. Avoid spreading the virus to others.
Over-the-counter products can be safely used after the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Sore throat:
Chloraseptic® Spray and most throat lozenges
- Feeling stuffy from colds or flu:
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed® )– 30 to 60 mg every 4 to 6 hours
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®) – 4 mg every 4 to 6 hours
Saline mist spray or Afrin® nasal spray – every 12 hours
(avoid using Afrin® for more than 3 days)
- Feeling stuffy from allergies:
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®) – 4 mg every 4 to 6 hours
- Cough or sinus symptoms:
Guaifenesin (Robitussin®) – 1 to 2 tsp. every 4 hours (do not
take more than 8 tsp in 24 hours)
- Headache or fever:
Tylenol® up to 1000 mg every 4 hours. Do
not take over 4000 mg in 24 hours.
Edema
Holding on to fluid is normal while you are pregnant. Many women have swelling in the legs. These tips may be helpful:
- Wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.
- Put your legs up many times during the day.
- Avoid sitting or standing for a long time.
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.
- Drink 1-2 glasses of cranberry juice each day.
- Spend 20-30 minutes a day in a swimming pool or lukewarm tub.
Headache
Headaches may be caused by changes in hormones, increased blood flow, changes in posture, muscle tension, eyestrain, stress, and fatigue.
- Spend 15 minutes twice each day using techniques to relax, meditate, breathe, or stretch.
- Make sure you are drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day.
- Eat a healthy diet and have an exercise routine.
- Wear comfortable shoes, use proper body movement and make sure your work station supports good posture.
- Rest in a dark room with a cold cloth on your forehead.
- Avoid perfumes, cleaning products, or hair sprays that may cause headaches in some people.
- Have frequent massages.
- Use biofeedback techniques.
- Use accupressure techniques and/or visit an acupuncturist.
- Chiropractic treatments may help.
- Take Vitamin B complex 3 times a day.
- Homeopathic remedies can be helpful.
- Tylenol® up to 1000 mg every 4 hours may be used. Do not take over 4000 mg in 24 hours.
Heartburn
Heartburn can be caused by increased hormones, which cause the muscle to relax more at the top of the stomach and allow stomach contents to back up (reflux) into the esophagus. To prevent, lessen, or treat this problem, we suggest that you:
- Eat many small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals.
- Chew well and eat slowly.
- Avoid greasy or highly spiced foods.
- Don’t lie down for 2 hours after eating.
- Avoid drinking too much fluid with your meals.
- Sleep with more pillows if this is a problem at night.
- Use papaya enzymes or 2-3 alfalfa tablets 3 times a day.
- Try herbal teas – chamomile, peppermint or ginger.
- Take a daily acidophilus capsule
- Use homeopathic remedies, if desired.
- Take a liquid antacid like Maalox® or Tums® chew-tab.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are enlarged varicose veins of the rectum. They are caused by hormone changes and increased pressure from the baby on the rectum.
- Avoid constipation (see above).
- Take tub baths (sitz baths) 2 to 3 times a day.
- Use witch hazel pads for comfort and cleaning after bowel movements.
- Gently replace (reduce) hemorrhoid into the rectum.
- Raise hips and rest often during the day.
- Avoid straining when having a bowel movement.
- Take 50 mg of vitamin B6 three times a day.
- Increase vitamin C up to 2000 mg each day.
- Apply a paste made from powdered comfrey root to your rectum.
- Use homeopathic remedies, if desired.
- Apply a anesthetic ointment like Americane® 3 to 5 times day.
Trouble Sleeping
Many women have trouble sleeping, which can be caused by body changes or a need to go to the bathroom at night. Changes in sleep patterns can also be caused by hormone changes, stress, or anxiety.
- Take a warm tub bath or shower before bed.
- Drink an herbal tea before bed like chamomile or Sleepytime®.
- Use techniques to relax – progressive relaxation is very helpful.
- Daydream about serene, peaceful things (visualizations) to relax.
- Talk about any fears with a friend, nurse, or counselor.
- Use many pillows to support good body alignment.
- Get daily exercise.
- Eat a bedtime snack – such as cheese or protein foods.
- Read or write in a journal if you can not fall sleep.
- Take a calcium-magnesium supplement at bedtime.
- Use homeopathic remedies like Calms Forte.
The homeopathic remedies and herbal preparations mentioned above may be bought many places in Madison. Discuss this with your provider.
Who to Call with Questions
Phone Numbers Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
UW Health-Manged OB Clinics |
UW Health West OB/GYN Clinic 451 Junction Rd Madison, WI 53717 (608)265-7601) |
UW Health East OB/GYN Clinic |
UW Health Benign Gynecology Clinic |
UW Health Gynecology/Oncology Clinic 600 Highland Ave Madison WI 53792 (608) 263-1548 |
UWMF - Managed OB Clinics |
OB/GYN Clinic Suite 307 |
East Towne 4122 East Towne Blvd. Madison, WI 53704 (608) 242-6840 |
West Towne 7102 Mineral Point Rd. Madison, WI 53717 (608) 828-7610 |
Fitchburg
|
If you live out of the area, call 1-800-323-8942.
Meriter & UW Health-Managed Generations Fertility Care Clinic (Generations) |
2365 Deming Way, Middleton, WI 53562
|
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The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 12/05/2011
Copyright © 12/05/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5456
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