Mercado, Ray Ms. Mary Joyce P. Corvera, RN, M.A.N.

CN 363 NCM 2

Discomfort of Pregnancy & Relief Measures

• Dry crackers or toast in the morning; 30 minutes

1. Morning Sickness before getting up
• Small frequent meals
• Adequate fluids between meals
• Avoid highly spicy, fatty foods
• Small frequent meals; no overeating
• Avoid fatty, highly seasoned foods
2.Heartburn • Maintain upright position always
• Bend at the knees and not at the waist when
picking things from the floor.
• Remain upright 3-4 hours after eating
• Avoid taking sodium bicarbonate
3. Flatulence • Small frequent meals
• Avoid gas-forming foods
• Increased fluid intake (6-8 glasses per day)
4. Constipation • Increase roughage in the diet (daily fruits and
vegetables)
• Avoid constipation and other forms of straining.
• Promote comfort; sitz bath; warm compresses
5.Hemorrhoids • Reinsert hemorrhoids with physician’s
recommendation
• Have adequate rest & sleep (8 hours average
6.Fatigue night sleep)
• Avoid prolonged standing
• Good body mechanics (posture)
• Avoid sudden changes in position
• Arise from a bed from a lateral position and
7. Faintness gradually
• Avoid staying in one position for a long time
• Assume frequent left lateral position in bed
• Adequate calcium in the diet (Ca imbalance is
the recognized most important cause)
8. Leg Cramps • Avoid prolonged standing and sitting
• Dorsiflex the foot with extension of the leg (this
hyperextends the involved muscles causing
relief)
• No round garters
9.Varicose Veins • Avoid prolonged standing
• No leg-crossing
• Wear supportive hose
• Frequent elevation of legs
• Maintain good posture
• Wear flat shoes
10. Backache • Avoid prolonged standing
• Pelvic rock exercise, tailor sitting
• Supportive mattress
• Use maternity girdle in selected situations
• Assume left lateral position
11. Pedal Edema • Avoid prolonged standing
• Frequent elevation of legs and hips
• No round/constriction garters
• Rule out edema of hands and feet
• Maintain good posture
12.Shortness of Breath • Avoid fatigue
• Have head elevated by several pillows in sleep
• Avoid constriction bra, clothes
• Increase fluids to replace losses
13.Frequency of Urination • Regular voiding
• Frequent flushing
• Report any burning sensation, blood, dysuria, or
cloudy urine