Symptom

Cause

Things to try

Headaches (fairly common)

• Hormonal changes
• Postural changes
• Low blood sugar

• Practice good posture
• Eat small, nutritious meals often during the day
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid activities that cause eyestrain
• Get plenty of sleep
• Try lying down in a dark, cool room
• Apply a cool compress to your neck and forehead
• Have your neck and scalp massaged gently
• Talk to your health care provider if your headache does not go away, causes blurred vision, nausea, or spots appear in front of your eyes

Fatigue (tired and sleepy)

• Metabolism speeding up
• Hormonal changes
• Fatigue is an important sign from your body that you need extra rest

• Get as much sleep as you can at night
• Pace your activities and rest during the day
• If you work, rest during breaks or lunch
• Eat small meals several times a day
• Drink plenty of water

Mood changes
(can be unexpected)

• Hormonal changes

• Focus on yourself and the changes you are going through
• Talk with friends and family about the feelings you are experiencing

Urinating more often

• The growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder
• Kidneys making more urine

• Limit the amount of tea and coffee especially in the evening
• Perform Kegel exercises - These involve tightening the muscles of the pelvic floor – the same muscles you would contract if you were on the toilet and wanted to stop the flow of urine or a bowel movement. Contract your muscles, hold for 10 seconds, and then relax for 10 seconds. Each time you do them, do about 20 contractions. You can do these while talking on the phone, watching television, etc.

Nausea and vomiting -
“Morning sickness”

• Hormonal changes
• Tension and/or fatigue. 
• Normal lasts about 8 to 12 weeks, but may occur longer and throughout the day.

• When you first wake up, eat a few crackers then rest for 15 minutes before getting out of bed
• Eat small amounts of food every 2 hours during the day
• Don’t lie down right after eating your meals during the day
• Avoid fatty and fried foods
• Drink small amounts of fluids often during the day and avoid drinking liquids with your meals
• Try taking a liquid form of vitamins
• Avoid over tiring yourself – nap if you can
• Notify your health care provider if vomiting persists

Increased vaginal secretions
(thin and milky)

• Related to increased blood flow and hormonal changes

• Wear small pads, cotton underwear and loose pants
• Shower or bathe often
• Contact your doctor or midwife if there is any itchiness, coloured discharge or different smell

Painful or bigger breasts with the areola getting darker
(brown part around the nipple with small lumps becoming visible)

• Developing milk glands
• Hormonal changes

• Wear a supportive bra, even at night if it helps
• Make sure the bra fits properly and that it has full, rounded cups with wide, non-elastic shoulder straps
• Warm cloths put on your breasts sometimes help
• Try applying moisturizing cream to your nipples

Light-headedness or feeling faint

• Increased blood volume
• New circulatory patterns
• Hormone changes
• Low blood sugar levels

• Avoid sudden position changes
• Get up slowly
• Eat small meals and snacks often
• Eat something sweet when you feel light-headed
• If you feel faint, sit down and put your head between your knees
• Loosen any tight clothing and place a cool, wet cloth on your forehead or on the back of your neck
• Avoid lying flat on your back in the 3rd trimester

Symptom

Cause

Things to try

Red inflamed gums

• Hormonal changes
• Plaque is left on your gums

• Brush and floss your teeth regularly
• Visit your dentist making sure you tell him you are pregnant, to avoid X-rays

Nose bleeds and nasal congestion

• Increased blood volume
• Dry air conditions

• Place warm, moist towels on your face for comfort
• Breathe steam from a hot shower
• Massage your sinuses
• Drink plenty of water a day
• Do not use antihistamines unless recommended by your health care provider

Low back pain

• Stretching of the ligaments attaching the uterus to the pelvis
• Growing abdomen causes you to lean back
• Weight of the uterus on the pelvis

• Maintain good posture
• Wear low heeled, supportive shoes
• Sit in a straight-backed chair whenever possible to sit straight
• Sleep on a firm mattress, on your left side with a pillow under your upper leg for support
• Avoid heavy lifting, and lift with your leg muscles not your back muscles
• Avoid standing for long periods of time
• Apply heat to your lower back
• Have your back massaged
• Yoga, stretching, and relaxation techniques may help

Constipation

• Changes in  food habits
• Hormonal changes that slow down  the bowel
• Iron supplements that cause constipation and turn stools black
• Enlargement of the uterus that moves the intestine

• Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses a day)
• Increase your fiber intake (whole grain bread, creal products, psyllium fibre, raw and dried fruits, raw vegetables)
• Exercise daily
• Don’t hold back bowel movements
• Do not use suppositories, mineral oil, laxatives or enemas unless recommended by your health care provider

Pubic or groin pain

• Growing abdomen
• Round ligament that holds uterus going in to spasms as it stretches

• Avoid turning your waist quickly
• Walk around objects instead of stepping over them
• Avoid opening your knees wide apart
• Bend toward the pain – lean in to it to help relax the tension in the muscles
• Lie down and rest
• Consult your health care provider if pain continues

Mild swelling of the ankles, feet, hands and face (fairly common)

• Warm weather
• Increased blood volume

• Builds up during the day and should be gone by the time you get up the next morning
• Drink plenty of water during the day
• Do not cut out salt from your diet
• If it does not decrease with rest, talk with your health care provider

Hemorrhoids

• Swollen or dilated veins of the rectum
• Pressure from the growing uterus on the veins
• Straining when having bowel movements (especially if constipated)

• Avoid constipation with a diet high in fibre, fruits, vegetables and grains
• Drink plenty of water during the day
• Your health care provider may suggest ointments to shrink the hemorrhoids

Indigestion and heart burn

• Hormonal changes
• Pressure from the growing uterus on your stomach

• Eat small amounts of food more often
• Eat slowly and chew your food well
• Drink fluids between meals, not during them
• Avoid caffeine and greasy, spicy foods
• Sit upright after a meal
• Wear loose clothes
• Only take antacids after talking with your health care provider

Urinary tract infections (UTI)

• An infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra

• To avoid UTI’s, urinate when the urge comes on – do not hold it back
• Drink plenty of water
• Consult your health care provider if you develop pain, fever, headache, or fatigue

Dizziness when lying flat on your back

• One of the largest blood vessels in your body, the vena cava, is pushed against your spine by the uterus when you lie flat on your back – this causes decreased blood flow to the heart, lungs, and brain

• Do not lie flat on your back during the last few months of pregnancy
• Lying on your left side whenever possible is the best position to keep blood flowing through the vena cava

Stretch marks over breasts, abdomen, and thighs

• Skin being stretched by your growing uterus and breasts

• Many women apply oil (vitamin E or lanolin) – whether this helps or not hasn’t been proven by studies

Dry, itchy skin

• Hormonal changes

• Avoid using soaps – try using glycerin soaps instead
• Avoid lying in a tub of water for too long
• Put oil or an oatmeal-based softener in the bath
• After a bath or shower, apply body lotion to damp skin to help keep your skin soft and moisturized

Symptom

Cause

Things to try

Increased fatigue

• Energy demands of pregnancy are greater than before

• Rest more often
• Listen to your body when it signals its tired
• Ask someone to help with daily chores
• If possible, stop work early if you are overtired

Difficulty sleeping

• Large abdomen makes it harder to find a comfortable position to sleep in
• More bathroom trips from having to urinate more often
• Growing baby moves more often

• Use lots of large pillows to prop up your legs, abdomen and back
• Have regular sleep habits
• Exercise daily
• Before bed try taking a warm bath
• Eat a small snack with a warm drink
• Listen to relaxing music
• Have your back massaged before bed
• Keep bedroom temperature cool
• Avoid sleeping pills

Leg, thigh, calf, and foot cramps
(especially at night)

• Lack of minerals in your diet

• Make sure you get enough calcium in your diet
• Avoid getting too tired
• Put your feet up when you can
• Exercise daily
• Stretch your lower leg area before going to bed
• Take a warm bath
• If a cramp comes on, point your toe toward your knee to stretch the muscle straight again
• Keep your foot flexed in this position while you slowly and carefully make circling movements with your lower leg
• Afterward, deeply massage the cramped muscle to improve the blood supply

Braxton Hicks Contractions
(pre-labour)

• Practice contractions

• Know that these contractions are normal, usually painless, and should be irregular
• Tell your health care provider if the contractions are regular and become uncomfortable

Vaginal discharge

• Vaginal discharge normally increases during pregnancy

• Discharge should look and feel like the white of a raw egg
• Wear a sanitary mini pad to feel more comfortable and protected
• Consult your health care provider if the discharge is bloody, watery, or smells bad, or if you have pain, itching, or soreness in your vaginal area

Worries about labour

• Fear of the unknown if this is your first baby

• Be prepared and learn about the birthing process – women are usually less frightened and anxious because of fewer surprises