Pregnancy is a demanding and stressful time for many reasons. One of the most impactful aspects of pregnancy are the physical impacts on an expecting mother’s body both pre and post pregnancy. Nausea, sore and growing breasts, fatigue & body aches, a growing abdomen, stretch marks and skin changes, weight gain, digestive & urinary issues, and so much more are all things that can be expected as a part of any regular pregnancy.
Nausea
There are a number of things that can be done in regard to nausea for an expecting mother. Always check with your care provider to decide what is right for you. They may recommend B-6 supplements, ginger, and other over the counter medicines that can help with morning sickness.
One thing to remember about nausea and vomiting is that it can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Intake of additional fluids and prescription medications can be needed to help with this if it is severe enough. It’s important to take note of how many times you vomit, if you are able to keep down fluids, and other things that are going on with your body so that your doctor can be as accurate as possible when helping you. Always consult with your doctor before taking any medicine or supplements during pregnancy.
Body Aches
Aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, thighs, and other areas are common during pregnancy. As your uterus expands, these symptoms and many more can be a common problem. The pressure of the baby’s head, increased weight, and loosening joints can also contribute to these symptoms. Sciatica can also occur which causes pain that can run down the lower back through the back of one leg behind the kneed or even all the way to the foot. Resting and laying down can help wit this as well as applying heat. Getting some high quality pregnancy shapewear and maternity belly bands can also help provide support to the lumbar region that expecting mothers need.
Weight Gain
It’s expected to gain weight during pregnancy obviously, but there are things that can be done to avoid weight gain as much as possible. A number of things can help, including drinking water, eating balanced meals often throughout the day, consuming complex carbs, and more. The physical things that can be done also include taking regular walks and keeping moving in a safe and healthy way.
Digestive & Urinary Issues
During pregnancy, the baby can push down on your bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. This makes bladder control and similar issues common during pregnancy. Do your best to take frequent bathroom breaks, drink a healthy amount of fluids consistently in order to help with dehydration, and do Kegel exercises to help strengthen the pelvic muscles.
Stretch Marks and Skin Changes
Stretch marks can come in different shapes and sizes, but can often be red, pink, or brown. Common areas that they appear in are thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and breasts. During the second half of pregnancy, stretching of the skin can cause these scars to appear. It’s important to be patient with stretch marks as they usually fade after delivery.
Hopefully some of these go-to tips can help expecting mothers have a better experience with their pregnancy. It can always be a stressful time during pregnancy with everything that comes along with it and everything that happens to a mother’s body. The most important thing is to stay stress free as much as possible and do everything you can to make the things that come along with the experience better.
