Ob/Gyn

Midsouth Wellness Guide

Your Body in Pregnancy

By Riad Homsi, M.D., FACOG
Just For Women

Pregnancy is a normal healthy state. A healthy woman should nd pregnancy reasonably enjoyable. Throughout pregnancy, your body goes through extensive readjustments and experience some discomforts.

Backache: It is one of a pregnant womans

most common problems. It has many causes. The strain from carrying 30 pounds of extra weight on your back muscles is one cause. The swayback posture you use to offset it is another. Weakened muscles in your abdomen (which support the spine) are another reason. Back pain could also be a sign of kidney infection or preterm labor. Some tips to help lessen the back pain-Wear low-heeled shoes with good arch support. Avoid lifting heavy objects which put more strain on your back. Get off your feet and rest frequently and sleep on your side rather than on your back. Sit in chairs with good back support and sleep on a rm mattress. Exercise to stretch your aching muscles, keep your back and abdominal muscles strong, and promote good posture. Buy an abdominal support garment that look like a girdle to help take your belly weight off your back muscles.Apply a heating pad, warm-water bottle or cold compress to ease the pain.

the nipple to nd out since this may cause you Constipation and Gas: Relaxing effect to start having contractions. of the pregnancy hormones on the muscle of the intestines may slow digestion. Iron supplementation can add to the problem. Congestion and Nosebleeds: During Toward the end of the pregnancy, the growing pregnancy, because of the increase in the hormone levels, your body makes extra blood. weight of the uterus puts pressure on the rectum, adding to the problem. Make sure you This will cause the inside lining of your nose to swell and bleed easily. This also may cause drink plenty of uids including prune juice. Eat high ber diet like raw fruits, vegetables, you to have a stuffy or runny nose.To deal and whole grain bread and bran cereals. Avoid spicy and greasy food. Dont forget to exercise.

Hemorroids: The extra blood supply in

the pelvic area along with the pressure the growing uterus puts on the veins in the lower part of the body, cause the swelling and itching in the varicose veins in the rectal area. Constipation can make these swollen veins worse. Again, drink plenty of water, eat a high ber diet, and sit in warm sitz bath. There are over the counter medicine that you can use to help.

Heartburn and Indigestion: It refers

to a burning feeling in the throat and chest. Pregnancy hormones, which relax the muscle valve between your stomach and esophagus (the tube leading from the mouth to the stomach), are the main cause. This places stomach acids where they dont belong. As your uterus grows, it adds to the problem by pressing up against your stomach. To help relieve or prevent indigestion and heartburn, eat six small meals a day instead of three big ones; eat slowly and chew your food well. Dont drink uids with your meals but rather drink your uid between meals. Stay away from greasy and fatty food. Try raising the head of your bed and dont eat or drink within few hours of bedtime. You can also take antacids. with this problem, try saline drops to relieve congestion, use a humidier to moisten the air in the room, dab petroleum jelly around the edges of the nose to keep the skin moist.

Breast Changes: For many women,

tingling, tender, swollen breasts are the rst clue that they are pregnant. By 6 weeks of pregnancy, your breast may grow a whole cup size. Fat builds up in the breasts, making your normal bra too tight. Blood ow increases, causing a bluish web of veins to appear under the skin. The nipples and the areolas darken and grow larger. Small glands on the surface of the areola become bumpy and raised. They produce an oily substance to keep the nipple and areola soft. Wearing a maternity bra may help adjust to the growing size of the breasts. By the end of the rst trimester, your breasts may start leaking to suggest that they are getting ready. Dont worry if your breasts dont leak though. Dont start squeezing on

Headache: Headaches are common during

pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones are one

August 2007 Midsouth Wellness Guide

Midsouth Wellness Guide

cause. Stress and hunger also can be factors. For some women, pregnancy headaches are a minor bother. For others, very painful headache (called migraine) can affect their daily activity. Resting in a dark quiet room, gently massaging your temples and placing a cold washcloth on your forehead can provide some relief. Call your doctor if the headache does not go away, is very severe, causes blurred vision or spots in front of your eyes especially toward the last part of your pregnancy. you can do that might help you feel better. Try to eat toast or crackers before you get out of bed in the morning and try to get up slowly and sit on the side of the bed for few minutes. Drink uids often during the day and cold bubbly sweet drinks may help. Eat ve or six small meals during the day instead of 3 regular big meals and try to eat food low in fat and easy to digest. The BRATT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and tea) may help.Accupressure, ginger, motion sickness bands, or hypnosis may also help relieving symptoms.

Vaginal Discharge: Vaginal discharge

often increases during pregnancy. A sticky, clear or white discharge is normal secondary to increase vasculature in the vagina and stimulation of vaginal and cervical glands.

Lower Abdominal Pain: As the uterus

grows, the round ligaments (bands of tissue that supports the uterus on both sides) are pulled and stretched. You may feel this stretching as either a dull ache or a sharp pain on one side of your belly. The pains are most common between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. To prevent or relieve these pains, avoid quick changes of position, rest and change position frequently.

Insomnia: After the rst few months, you

may nd it hard to sleep at night. As your abdomen grows larger, it may be hard to nd a comfortable position. To get some rest and sleep, you may need to take a shower or warm bath at bedtime. Lie on your side with a pillow under your abdomen and another between your legs. It is also important to try some relaxation tips your have learned in childbirth classes. Be sure to get enough exercise and cut out coffee and cokes from your diet.

Numbness and Tingling: As your

uterus grows, it rests on some of the nerves connecting your legs to your spinal cord. This may cause chronic pain in the hip or thigh (sciatica). Also, if you have swelling, the nerves in your legs and hands get pressed which cause your legs, toes hands and ngers to tingle and feel numb.

Fatigue: Most women feel very tired when

Leg Cramps: During late pregnancy,

painful leg cramps may be a bother at night. It is not clear what causes leg cramps. Stretching your legs before going to bed can help relieve them. Also, avoid pointing your toes when stretching or exercising.

Mouth and Tooth Changes: The

hormones in pregnancy can make your gums swell and bleed. Keep up the brushing and ossing, though. Switching to a softer brush may help. You also may notice that your mouth waters more during pregnancy. No one knows why this occurs. Dont cancel your regular dental check up in pregnancy. Putting off dental work can lead to further problems.

they are pregnant, mostly during early and late pregnancy. Early in pregnancy, it is due to the hormone progesterone that is increased at that time. Late in pregnancy, it is due to the increase weight that you carry, that puts a Shortness of Breath: Early in pregnancy, lot of stress on your body. Exercise, prenatal you may feel short of breath because of the vitamins, rest and a healthy diet may help increase of progesterone in your body. Later boost your energy. in pregnancy, your uterus is starting to take up more and more room in your abdomen. By Frequent Urination: The amount of about 31-34 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus uid in your body goes up when you are is so large that it presses the stomach and the pregnant. As a result, so does the amount of diaphragm up toward the lung. Although you urine you make. As the uterus grows, it puts may feel short of breath, this does not affect pressure on the bladder. The bladder may the amount of oxygen your baby gets. To help be nearly empty, but may still feel like it is you breath easier, try to move slowly so your about to burst. In the last weeks of pregnancy, heart and lungs dont have to work so hard. the fetus drops into your pelvis. When that Sit up straight which gives your lungs more happens, the babys head moves down and room to expand, and try to sleep propped up. puts more pressure on your bladder. The

Swelling: Some swelling (called edema)

in the hands, face, legs, ankles, and feet is normal in pregnancy. It is caused by the extra uid in your body. It tends to be worse in late pregnancy and during the summer. For relief, put your feet up frequently and sleep with your legs propped up on pillows keeping your belly tilted to either side, especially to the left. This keeps the uid from pooling in the bottom half of your body.

weight of the uterus on your bladder may even cause you to leak a little urine when you sneeze or cough. Cut down on your coffee, tea and sodas, but dont cut back on water. Drinking less water will not cut down on your trips to the bathroom.

Nausea and Vomiting: Nausea

and Vomiting are common in pregnancy, especially during the rst part of pregnancy. This is often called morning sickness, although it can occur at any time of the day. Although no one knows what causes the nausea and vomiting, rising levels of hormones during pregnancy may play a role. It should lessen by about 14 weeks of pregnancy. Most mild cases of nausea and vomiting do not harm you or your babys health. Morning sickness does not mean your baby is sick. In most women, symptoms are mild and go away. If your nausea and vomiting are severe, you have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, leading to loss of weight and body uids. In this setting, you need medical attention. Until the nausea and vomiting go away, there are some things

Skin and Hair Changes: Changes

in hormone levels can cause harmless skin problems. 1-Acne: Some pregnant women nd their face breaks out more during pregnancy. Try to wash your face a few times a day with a mild cleanser. 2-Chloasma:The mask of pregnancy gives some women brownish marks around their eyes and on their nose and cheeks. This is brought about by the pregnancy hormones. Spending time in the sun can make chloasma worse. These marks will fade away after delivery. A good sunscreen is very important.

Varicose Veins: The weight of the uterus

pressing down on a major artery can slow blood ow from your lower body. The result may be sore, itchy, blue bulges on your legs called varicose veins. These veins can also appear near your vulva, vagina and rectum. In most cases, varicose veins are not a problem. To help relieve the swelling and soreness, try to wear support hose, do exercise such as walking and swimming, prop your legs as often as you can and dont stand or sit for long periods.

August 2007 Midsouth Wellness Guide

Midsouth Wellness Guide

3-Linea Nigra: Extra pigment in the skin causes the faint line running from the belly button to the pubic hair to darken during pregnancy. It will fade after delivery.

Just For Women

Riad Homsi, MD, F.A.C.O.G
Certified Menopause Practitioner A physician just for women of all ages

4-Red Palms and Spider Veins: You may have red, itchy, palms and tiny red veins branching out under the skin of your face or legs due to increased blood ow and circulation to the skin. Again, the redness will fade away after delivery. 5-Skin Tags: Your body is on a growth mode and this does not increase the baby size only. You may nd little aps of skin on your breasts, neck, or armpits. They will not go away after delivery but can be removed by your doctor easily. 6-Stretch Marks: As your belly and breast grow, they may become streaked with reddish lines. These marks happen when skin stretches quickly to support the growing fetus. Dont waste any money on any miracle creams or lotions to prevent stretch marks. There is little you can do to keep them away. After delivery, these red streaks will slowly fade or become lighter. 7-Thicker Hair: Your body is in a growth cycle and so is your hair. As result, you shed hair much more slowly than normal. You may even grow new hairs where you never had them before (i.e. the belly).After delivery, your hair will thin out and you may notice the hair falling more frequently till it goes to its normal cycle.

Anxiety: Pregnant women and their partners often have fears

Specializing in General Obstetrics & Gynecology Services including: Pregnancy Family Planning Infertility Menopause Bladder Problems Bleeding Issues Abnormal Pap Smear Adolescent Gynecology

about pregnancy, labor and delivery, the effect a child will have on their lives, and whether they will be good parents. Some pregnant women have strange or scary dreams during their pregnancy. This is normal.

About the Author

Riad Homsi, M.D., FACOG is a Board certied Obstetrician/ Gynecologist and Menopause Practitioner. He is the director of the practice Just For Women located at 6025 Walnut Grove ,suite 400, Memphis, TN 38120. For more information, please call (901) 50-STORK or visit www.justforwomendoc.com

6025 Walnut Grove, Suite 400 Memphis, TN 38120 901-50-STORK www.justforwomendoc.com

August 2007 Midsouth Wellness Guide