Pregnancy symptoms

Fatigue

Under the influence of hormones, a lot changes in your body to make the pregnancy and the healthy development of your baby possible. This can cause you to be tired more quickly and more often than usual. At the end of the pregnancy you may also be tired because of your big belly, which can make you sleep less easily, for example.

Tips:

• Give in to your fatigue.
• Go to bed on time and try to get your rest during the day as well.
• Make sure you get enough exercise, outdoor air and fluids (2 liters of water a day).

Nausea

Especially in the first three to four months, you may experience (morning) nausea. Many women also have to vomit. This is also due to the hormones. It can hinder you considerably in your normal activities.

Tips:

• Eat something small before you get out of bed in the morning.
• Also, eat small, healthy meals throughout the day to keep your stomach filled.

If you are vomiting a lot and it is difficult to keep fluids down, call us. Sometimes the nausea can be so bad that medication through the doctor is needed.

Dizziness/fainting

When you are pregnant, you may get dizzy a little faster. This may be due to low blood pressure or low blood sugar.

Tips:

• If low blood pressure is the cause, it may help to eat or drink something salty. Drinking plenty of fluids also helps.
• Eat small portions regularly throughout the day to maintain your blood sugar.

Sometimes you can also get dizzy when you lie on your back. This is because your uterus is pressing on a blood vessel next to your spine. If this doesn’t bother you, you can sleep on your back during pregnancy. You also don’t have to worry about accidentally lying on your back too long in your sleep. It won’t hurt your baby, and if you get uncomfortable you will automatically turn onto your side.

If we suspect that the dizziness is due to anemia (iron deficiency), you can have blood tests. We can then prescribe iron tablets. Incidentally, many pregnant women have no symptoms when they have an iron deficiency.

Shortness of breath/heart palpitations

During pregnancy you produce extra blood, which sometimes makes your heart work a little harder. The shortness of breath is because your body is more sensitive to CO2. You do not have a shortage of oxygen, but your body gives off a signal earlier that you need oxygen.

Stomach Acid

Pregnancy hormones make the stomach valve loosen, which can cause stomach acid to rise. This can cause a burning sensation in the esophagus and throat. Especially in the last weeks of pregnancy this can be very unpleasant.

Tips:

• Rather than drink carbonated beverages, drink plenty of water.
• Eat small portions, not too fatty and spicy, and try not to eat anything late at night.
• Eating some white or vanilla custard occasionally helps neutralize stomach acid for many pregnant women.
• Sitting up straight and sleeping a little straighter can also help.
• Feel free to get an antacid remedy from the drugstore, for example Rennie, Antagel or Regla PH.

Binding Pain

With ligament pain, you get sudden stitches in your groin, which can also be felt in your labia. The uterus is attached to the pelvis with ligaments, and these stretch as your uterus grows. This can be particularly painful in the early stages of pregnancy, and it can get worse with sudden movements, such as sneezing and coughing. Fortunately, it can’t hurt.

Tips:

• Adjust your rhythm and don’t get up too soon.
• Support your belly with your hands when you need to sneeze or cough.

Tight bellie/ Braxton Hicks contractions

A tight belly is the contraction of the uterus. It is not a contraction, but the uterine muscle may be “training” for labor. Your abdomen then suddenly feels hard and tense. You can also get them when you are very busy and they are more common at the end of pregnancy. Some women never experience them.

As long as the contractions are not painful and do not come regularly, there is nothing wrong. If it bothers you a lot, call us. A bladder infection may be the cause. Also call us if your contractions are painful and regular, especially if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant.

Tip:

• Take rest and provide warmth (shower or hot water bottle). If you are busy or very tense, your uterus will react accordingly.

Back and pelvic complaints

The hormones cause your ligaments to soften. This creates enough space in your pelvis for the birth of your baby. Every pregnant woman has pelvic instability as a result, but some suffer more than others.

You may experience pain in your lower back, tailbone, groin, pubic bone, and/or the side of your thighs. Some women experience back and pelvic pain throughout pregnancy, while others do not experience it at all.

Tips:

• Make sure you have good posture. For example, sit straight on a chair and not with your legs crossed. This is important to prevent symptoms, as healing is often not possible during pregnancy.
• If necessary, see a physical therapist for advice and exercises.

Constipation

The muscles in the intestinal wall are also weaker than normal during pregnancy. As a result, the intestines move less well, which can cause constipation (obstipation).

Tips:

• Eat regularly and especially don’t skip breakfast.
• Drink plenty of water (at least 2 liters a day).
• Eat plenty of fiber (at least two pieces of fruit and two scoops of vegetables a day).
• Make sure you get enough exercise, this stimulates the bowels.
• Go to the bathroom immediately when you feel you need to and take your time.
• Roosvicee Laxo, Danone Activia (supermarket) or Lactulose (drugstore) may help with bowel movements.

If these tips don’t help, you may want to request medication from your doctor.