Top 10 Pregnancy Complaints and Practical Remedies to Cope with the Not So Fun Side of Pregnancy
Show Notes:
[1:33] Our Reviewer of the Week, Kar.Barr, says: "I am very thankful for this podcast. The content helped my husband and I feel confident and empowered about the birth of our first child. I ended up having a very quick labour and birthed our baby boy in the back of the truck on the way to the hospital into my husband’s arms. We know the learnings from this podcast helped us feel calm and in control. I was able to have an amazing unmedicated birth, and I recommend this podcast to anyone wanting to feel knowledgeable and relaxed about birth."
[3:01] We're going to talk about things that we are hearing from you guys all the time through Instagram messages, Facebook messages, and emails that we get. These are the most common complaints that we are seeing, and I think they stay pretty constant over time. So take notes!
[3:49] #1: Morning Sickness. If you've been pregnant and you've experienced it, you know it can happen at any time not just in the morning. About 70% of women experience morning sickness. It's caused by the hormone HCG, which tells your body it's pregnant. Your levels of HCG doubles every day and finally peaks around 12-16 weeks.
[6:26] What are some remedies to help with morning sickness?
- Accupressure (sea sickness bands)
- Small, frequent meals
- LOTS of protein
- Anything peppermint (oil, tea, smell)
- B6 and Unisom
- Ginger (fresh or candy)
[8:58] #2: Heartburn and Acid Reflux. It can come on as that belly gets bigger and it kind of pushes all of your organs and stomach a little bit higher or into different places. About 50% of women will experience this throughout their pregnancy. Chew your food really well, and make sure you're drinking lots of water with your meals and in between. Sitting up or even leaning back a little bit can help. If you can, take a walk after you're done eating. When you come back, if you sit, make sure that you're kind of propped up and not laying down.
[12:20] #3: Tiredness and Exhaustion. You are doing all of the work to grow a baby, and your body is producing extra blood. Think of everything that is happening inside of your body. Things that can help: eating food that is high in protein, red meat, and iron. Exercise regularly even if it's walking a couple of times a day. Limit caffeine. Nap when you can.
[14:48] #4. Pelvic Pain & SPD (Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction). About 20-25% of women or 1 in 4 women are going to experience some kind of pelvic pain during pregnancy. Be sure to do your 3 Free Exercises to help with the discomfort. When you get up in the morning, get out of bed, do like 30-40 pelvic tilts. Same thing for when you go to bed. Do pelvic tilts. You can also reach out to a pelvic floor therapist. Remember, no heavy lifting since that whole pelvic area is already dealing with a lot of like pressure and extra weight. Move your legs together, and move them as a unit. (When you go to get out of bed, don't just swing one leg over.) Pillows between your knees when you sleep can really help alleviate some of that pain. Utilize a birth ball.
[18:08] #5: Hip Pain. About 1 in 3 women will experience hip pain during pregnancy. It is caused by the hormone relaxin, weight gain, posture, position, and sitting in chairs for long periods of time.
To alleviate your hip pain:
- Pillows in-between legs
- Peanut ball
- Pelvic tilts
- Squatting
- Chiropractor
- Yoga/stretching
- Belly binding
- Bengkung belly bind
[21:43] #6: Ligament Pain. It feels like this like sharp shooting pain on the right or left side of my pelvis where your hip bends and, or where your legs crease. Ways to help with ligament pain:
- Pelvic Tilts
- Maternity belt or a belly bind
- Baths with Epsom salt
- Focus on posture
- Slow, gentle movements
- Swimming
[24:51] #7: Swelling. 80%+ women experience some kind of swelling. You have another 50% of blood and bodily fluids in your body. You've got weight gain, gravity, hot weather, being on your feet a lot during the day, etc. Put your feet up when you can. Epsom salt baths. Foot massage.
If you are experiencing some swelling along with high blood pressure or headaches, plus pitting (if you poke your foot with your finger and the skin stays indented) it can be a sign of preeclampsia.
[28:30] #8. Sciatica & Back Pain. About 50-80% of women are having some kind of back pain during pregnancy. As your body grows and your baby is pushing against your back and can hit that sciatic nerve, and it can cause pain that shoots from your lower back down through your leg on the right side or the left. It can be caused by weight gain, your posture, poor sleeping positions, lack of strength, etc. A birth ball or rebozo sifting can provide some relief. Stephanie also recommends a chiropractor.
[30:48] #9: Negative Thoughts. Even for a mom that has never experienced any kind of like sadness, depression, you can still experience that with all the hormones during pregnancy. 20% of women will experience some kind of depression during pregnancy. Make sure that you're reaching out to the right people. Someone that can help you, that is going to say the right things, and is going to hear you, and is going to affirm what you're feeling. Get outside in the sun for at least 20 minutes a day. Positive affirmations can also help.
If you're experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, reach out to like a crisis line or somebody who can get you immediate help. Make sure that you are communicating with your birth partner.
[38:22] #10: Nightmares. These can be caused by fluctuating hormones and interrupted sleep cycle. Things like meditation, prayer, having a bedtime routine, and not eating right before bed can be very helpful The good news about 99% of these complaints go away with pregnancy or with birth.
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