Common issues can arise in pregnancy which can either be managed conservatively at home, or may require medical and obstetric support from SASH Maternity. Common ailments include:
Feeling sick (nauseous) or being sick can start around 4-6 weeks of pregnancy is commonly known as “morning sickness” – although this can happen at any time of day. Find out how to cope with feeling sick and morning sickness in pregnancy.
You can contact your midwife or GP for support which may come in the form of anti-sickness medication.
If you are unable to keep any food or drink down and are vomiting, please contact your our Early Pregnancy Unit if you are less than 16 weeks of pregnancy and if you are over 16 weeks, please contact our maternity triage on 01737 231 764. This can be a serious condition in pregnancy called hyperemesis gravidarum and requires treatment.
Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is a collection of uncomfortable symptoms caused by stiffness of your pelvic joints in your pelvic. PGP is not harmful to your baby, but it can be uncomfortable and make it harder to get around.
Those with PGP may experience pain; over the pubic bone at the front in the centre, roughly level with your hips, across 1 or both sides of your lower back, in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum) or spreading to your thighs.
PGP may worsen when walking, going up or down stairs, standing on onw leg, turning over in bed and moving the legs apart (when getting in and out of the car).
If you experience PGP symptoms, please talk to your community midwife about this. There are several measures you can take at home and your midwife can refer you to a physiotherapist.
Click here for further information on PGP and self-help measures.
Carpal tunnel can occur in pregnancy. It can cause tingling, numbness or weakness in the fingers, hand and wrist. Symptoms can come and go and can worsen at night.
It does not harm your baby but it can be uncomfortable. Carpel tunnel resolves following the birth of your baby.
There are several measures you can take at home to minimise the discomfort but please discuss this with your midwife.
Click here for further information on Carpel Tunnel and Self-help measures.
It is normal to have some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in the legs, ankles, feet and fingers.
Swelling that comes on gradually isn’t usually harmful to you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable.
If you have a sudden increase of swelling, it can be a sign of Pre-eclampsia. If you experience a sudden increase in swelling in your face, hands or feet, a headache, issues with your vision, severe pain below your ribs or vomiting, then please contact maternity triage on 01737 231 764.
Normal swelling in pregnancy is caused by your body holding onto more water than usual. Throughout the day, the extra water your body holds onto will gather in the lower part of the body. This is why that swelling is often worse at the end of the day or further into your pregnancy.
To minimise and avoid swelling, you could try to; minimising standing for long periods, wear comfortable shoes and socks, rest with your feet raise, drinking plenty of water and exercising.
Hormonal changes in your body may result in constipation early on in your pregnancy. To prevent constipation, you can; eat foods high in fibre (wholemeal breads, fruits, vegetables and pulses), exercise regularly and drink plenty of water.
For some, it is recommended to take iron supplements. If you find that these are causing constipation, you can discuss with your obstetric team about other methods of increasing your iron stores.
Click here for more information on preventing constipation
Haemorrhoids are swellings containing blood vessels in or around the bottom. Anyone can get haemorrhoids, however pregnancy can increase the likelihood of them as the pregnancy hormones causes the veins in your body to relax and can be caused by constipation. This may result in straining when needing to pass a stool.
Symptoms of haemorrhoids include; itching, aching, soreness or swelling around your anus, pain when passing a stool and a mucus discharge afterwards, a lump hanging outside the anus, which may need to be pushed back in after passing a stool, and bleeding after passing a stool – the blood is usually bright red.
To ease hemorrhoids, the advice is similar to easing constipation: eat foods high in fibre (wholemeal breads, fruits, vegetables and pulses), exercise regularly and drink plenty of water.
There are medicines that can help soothe the inflammation around your anus. These treat the symptoms, but not the cause, of piles.
Ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist if they can suggest a suitable ointment to help ease the pain. Don’t use a cream or medicine without checking with them first.
Cramps a commonly occur in your calf muscles and feet resulting in sudden, sharp pain. It is not certain as to what causes cramps and why the incident increases in pregnancy, however a good diet and gentle exercises, particularly in the ankle and leg, can improve your circulation and avoid cramp.
Whilst experiencing cramp, it may help rubbing the muscle vigorously or pulling your toes up hard towards your ankle.
Due to hormonal changes, you may feel light headed or faint more often. Fainting occurs when your brain is not getting enough blood and therefore oxygen.
To avoid feeling faint, you could: slowly standing up after sitting/lying down, not standing still for long periods, avoiding lying on your back and lay on your side (this is recommended when going to sleep).
Please discuss light headedness with your midwife, they may offer to retest your iron level as if this is low (iron deficiency). This may mean less oxygen is being transported around your body causing you to feel faint. Iron deficiency can also cause tiredness.
You’re more likely to feel warmer during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and an increased blood supply to the skin.
It may help to; wear loose clothing made of natural fibres, keep your living area cool and washing frequently to help you feel fresh.