If pregnant women experience these conditions, they must pay attention to them as soon as possible!

Pregnancy is a great project in the course of human life. As an expectant mother, you are tested both psychologically and physically. It is a common experience for pregnant women to experience discomfort. What kind of discomfort will pregnant mothers experience? How can they be relieved?

Physiological aspects:

1. Stomach Discomfort

This is the most common discomfort in early pregnancy. About 70% of pregnant women experience varying degrees of nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women often experience acid reflux and belching. As the gestational age increases, symptoms such as upper abdominal pressure appear. In addition, gastrointestinal motility weakens during pregnancy and the stomach muscle tension is low, causing gastric contents to flow back into the lower esophagus. The esophageal mucosa is irritated and produces a burning sensation in the stomach area. Pregnant women will feel "heartburn". Staying in bed immediately after a meal, eating too much, or consuming too much fat and fried food will aggravate the "heartburn" symptoms. Pregnant women should choose the principle of eating small and frequent meals to reduce the volume of stomach contents and relieve symptoms.

(ii) Frequent urination and urgency

In early pregnancy, this is because the enlarged uterus compresses the bladder. When the uterus is out of the abdominal cavity at 12 weeks of pregnancy, the symptoms disappear naturally. In late pregnancy, the bladder is squeezed again and frequent urination occurs again. Some pregnant women have urine overflow when they cough, blow their nose or sneeze. Frequent urination, urgency and overflow during pregnancy will disappear naturally after the pregnancy ends. If the symptoms continue, it means that the perineal muscles are too relaxed or the pelvic floor is damaged, and further examination and treatment should be carried out.

(III) Flatulence

During pregnancy, due to the weakening of gastrointestinal activity, intestinal gas often accumulates and causes unpleasant bloating, which usually does not require special treatment. Pregnant women should choose easily digestible foods, avoid overeating, and meet the body's needs with small and frequent meals. Developing the habit of regular bowel movements and proper exercise can promote intestinal peristalsis and prevent and relieve bloating.

4. Constipation

The causes of constipation are the displacement of the small intestine caused by the enlarged uterus, the reduction of fluid intake and outdoor activities, and the slowing of intestinal peristalsis during pregnancy. Pregnant women should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, develop the habit of regular bowel movements, and exercise moderately every day to help maintain good intestinal function. If necessary, use stool softeners or laxatives as prescribed by the doctor, but do not develop a habit of relying on drugs. You can eat more bananas, which not only provide food satisfaction, but also prevent constipation.

5. Low back pain

As the uterus grows during pregnancy, the burden on the waist and back muscles and ligaments of pregnant women increases, causing back pain of varying degrees. In order to prevent or relieve back pain, pregnant women should pay attention to maintaining a good posture in daily life and avoid excessive fatigue; planned exercise to strengthen the back muscles is also an effective measure to prevent back pain. Pay proper attention to rest and avoid fatigue and heavy physical labor.

6. Dizziness

Many pregnant women experience dizziness, especially in crowded, hot, poorly ventilated places with large crowds. Pregnant women should avoid changing positions too quickly, standing for long periods of time, being overly excited, overly nervous, and overly tired.

7. Lower limb muscle spasms

This is what we usually call cramps. It can occur at any time during pregnancy, but is more common in the third trimester and occurs more frequently at night. Pregnant women should take in adequate amounts of vitamins. Those who are calcium deficient should take soy milk, yogurt, and milk in a planned manner, and take calcium supplements as prescribed by a doctor if necessary.

8. Varicose veins

It may occur in the lower limbs and occasionally in the vulva. Pregnant women should increase their chances of bed rest and raise their legs when sitting to promote blood return in the lower limbs.

9. Increased vaginal discharge

During pregnancy, due to the effect of hormones, metabolism is vigorous, resulting in increased vaginal discharge. It is usually milky white and is a normal physiological phenomenon, but it often causes discomfort to pregnant women. If it is a physiological phenomenon, you can take a shower frequently, change underwear frequently, keep the vulva clean, and promote comfort. Pregnant women are also advised to avoid wearing nylon underwear. It is recommended to use cotton underwear with good water absorption and soft texture.

10. Breast swelling and discomfort

During pregnancy, breasts are stimulated by hormones in the body, causing the mammary ducts to proliferate, the mammary alveoli to develop, and the breast tissue to grow and enlarge. Pregnant women often experience discomfort such as tenderness, swelling, and sinking. Wearing appropriate underwear can alleviate the discomfort.

Psychological aspect - postpartum depression. In recent years, postpartum depression has gradually become a common sensitive word for people born in the 80s and 90s. So why are pregnant women more prone to depression?

Depression is the most common emotional reaction during pregnancy. After a woman becomes pregnant, her body and endocrine system change rapidly, leading to psychological changes such as mood swings, sensitivity, tension, anxiety and depression. When negative life events such as family changes, changes in work relationships and accidents occur during pregnancy, pregnant women are more likely to suffer from emotional disorders.

What effects will postpartum depression have on pregnant women and fetuses? Depression during pregnancy not only affects the pregnant woman herself, but also has an adverse effect on the growth and development of the fetus, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Studies have found that prenatal depression lasts from the time you can get pregnant to the entire pregnancy and even after delivery.

How to deal with postpartum depression? Good social support, especially the care and support of family members and a good relationship between husband and wife are protective factors for pregnant women to develop depressive symptoms. Especially in the early and middle stages of pregnancy, pregnant women not only face the transition to a new identity, but also have to endure the physiological reactions caused by changes in hormone levels. At this time, they need more care and support from their family, especially their spouse.

Interestingly, post-pregnancy dietary satisfaction is also an influencing factor for early pregnancy depression. As we all know, pregnant women are very prone to early pregnancy reactions such as morning sickness, and some pregnant women even have changes in their eating habits. Studies have shown that poor eating patterns during pregnancy increase the risk of depression, and dietary changes are associated with early pregnancy depression.

Therefore, to reduce the occurrence of depression during pregnancy, we should try our best to avoid stressful negative life events and strive to create a warm and harmonious family environment for pregnant women; secondly, we should pay attention to changes in pregnant women's eating habits in the early stages of pregnancy, try to provide them with nutritious, delicious and varied diets, and improve their dietary satisfaction; finally, social support, especially the husband's care and support are particularly important throughout the pregnancy.

It is not easy to be pregnant for ten months and give birth in one day. Both the pregnant woman herself and the people closest to her should give her enough care and attention!

References

[1] Sun Qingyun, Zheng Liwei, Li Maoxiang. Health guidance and care during pregnancy[J]. China Practical Medicine, 2008(15):172-173.

[2]Xu Jihong, Yan Panpan, Sun Chen. Depression status and influencing factors in early and mid-pregnancy[J]. Chinese Journal of Disease Control, 2021, 25(02): 231-234.

[3] Jiang Ying, Ge Lu, Che Haoliu, et al. Investigation of mental health status during pregnancy and analysis of related factors[J]. Chinese General Practice, 2016, 19(21): 2528-2534.