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Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids. Sometimes your constipation may be accompanied by hemorrhoids, enlarged veins near your anus. You may get hemorrhoids during pregnancy even if you don't have any problems with constipation. They occur, in large part, because the growing baby puts pressure on these veins, causing them to swell.
Try not to strain during bowel movements, because that could make your hemorrhoids worse, leading to itching, soreness or even bleeding. If you have hemorrhoids, increase your fluid and fiber consumption and check with your health care professional first before taking any medication.
Varicose Veins : Varicose veins are veins in your calves, thighs and vagina that become swollen and painful during pregnancy. They get worse if you have to stand for long periods.
The best remedy is to wear support stockings. Lying on your side or sitting with your legs elevated can also help. If you must stand for long periods of time, move around as much as possible and lift your heels or toes to increase circulation to your legs.
Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy affects up to 85% of pregnant women. Usually the onset of symptoms develops before the 9th week of pregnancy and your physician should consider other illnesses` if vomiting develops for the first time after the 9th week. Mild cases of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (morning sickness or sometimes all day sickness) may be resolved with small changes in eating habits. More severe nausea and vomiting can be treated effectively by your physician with safe and effective treatments that are now available.
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Emotions : In addition to the physical changes of pregnancy, you may also feel as if you're on an emotional roller coaster as well. During the first three months of pregnancy, you're still adjusting to the idea of being pregnant and the prospect of becoming a mother (if it's your first time) or adding another child to your family.
The middle part of your pregnancy may be more relaxing and calmer as you ease into the routine of pregnancy and begin bonding with the baby.
During the last phase of your pregnancy, however, you may find yourself feeling more anxious, fearing any complications during labor and delivery. Many women experience nightmares or other disturbing dreams about their pregnancy, labor and birth. Dreams are a way of expressing our anxieties.
Discussing your feelings with your partner and health care professional could help allay some of your anxieties and make you feel more positive about the whole experience.
Sexuality : Don't be surprised to find your feelings about sex with your partner change during pregnancy. Some women report feeling increased sexual desire because of hormonal surges. At other times, you may feel a decreased desire for sex.
Additionally, physical changes may interfere with your desire for sex, including nausea, physical discomfort, fear of harming the baby and feeling less desirable because of your weight gain and change in appearance.
Don't worry about hurting the baby during sex; that won't happen because of the cushion provided by the fluid in the amniotic sac. Try different positions that don't put pressure on your abdomen. And if you're concerned that sexual activity might interfere with or cause a pregnancy complication, discuss the matter with your health care professional.
Your partner also may have a different sexual response to you during pregnancy. Some women report their partner draws closer to them during pregnancy, while others say their partners go through their own psychological changes and withdraw from the relationship. If your relationship becomes too strained, your health care professional can refer you for counseling and or other mental health services.
The following discussion addresses treatment options for more serious medical considerations during pregnancy that haven't already been discussed in the Diagnosis section.
“HIV transmission. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Twenty percent of babies born to untreated HIV-positive women become infected with the virus. But if infected women take anti-viral drugs during their pregnancy, this number can be reduced to close to zero..”
If you're pregnant and don't know if you have HIV, you should get screened. If you are HIV-positive, your health care professional can start you on drug treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to your baby.
Miscarriage. Also known as a spontaneous abortion, a miscarriage is defined as the loss of your pregnancy before 20 weeks' gestation. It's not as uncommon as you may think, occurring in about 15 percent of all pregnancies.
Miscarriage usually happens in the first trimester, that is, during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After four months, it's much less likely to occur. However, the risk of miscarriage increases with age.
If you have a miscarriage, it's important to know that it doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to carry a baby to full term in the future.
Early warning signs of a miscarriage include:
- Vaginal spotting of blood
- Pain in the lower back
- Cramps in the lower abdomen
- Heavy bleeding with clots
Most women who have bleeding or cramps during early pregnancy are NOT miscarrying, and the pregnancy usually progresses normally.
The loss of your baby through a miscarriage is emotionally traumatic. You should discuss your feelings with your partner and others; your health care professional can recommend a bereavement counselor if you want to consider this option for helping you overcome your grief and loss.