The full list of pregnancy ailments!

It’s doubtful that anyone thinks pregnancy is all sunshine and roses. Most people are probably prepared for the fact that this process puts enormous pressure on your body and soul, with a roller coaster of hormones creating all kinds of struggles, pinched nerves, shortness of breath and funky cravings. To be sure, some people have never felt better! But others end up collecting quite a few ailments during their pregnancy. It can be comforting to know that they tend to pass – and you’re not alone. So what are the pregnancy ailments? We’ve listed the most common ones, but remember: these are short-lived and most people only experience a few!

Fatigue – early and late in pregnancy

Feeling tired is quite likely the most common condition, especially early on and late in your pregnancy. Initially, the fatigue is related to the fact that a new little person is being made, your hormones are on a roller coaster and your body is working to adapt to all these new circumstances. Plus, new tissue is forming in your breasts, your uterus is getting bigger and blood volume is increasing. Meanwhile, you’re also forming a brand-new organ, the placenta. Basically: your body has a lengthy to-do list, so it’s no surprise you’re feeling tired – listen to your body and try to rest!

Fatigue in mid to late pregnancy might be due to iron deficiency – because the baby’s development requires a lot of iron. Your doctor or midwife will monitor your iron levels throughout your pregnancy, but if you’re troubled by fatigue and it will be a while before your next appointment, then it’s a good idea to give them a call.

Dizziness and supine hypotensive syndrome

You might experience dizziness early in your pregnancy, which is often caused by a drop in blood pressure. Blood pressure is one of the factors that your doctor or midwife will check regularly. Some people may become dizzy and lightheaded from sleeping on their back, especially towards the end of pregnancy. This is called supine hypotensive syndrome and is simply due to the fact that the uterus has become heavy and is compressing the inferior vena cava. Sleeping on your side is a simple solution.

Pregnancy-related nausea and heartburn

A few weeks in, chances are high that you will have some nausea. This generally passes around week 12, but can linger much longer for some people. While it isn’t dangerous at all, it is very much a hassle. Read tips for combating nausea, hang in there and try to remember that this will pass. Sometimes, nausea can actually return well after the pregnancy is over. For example, if you smell something that you ate a lot of when your nausea was at its worst. Consider avoiding your favourite food once you start getting nauseous so that you don’t accidentally ruin it for yourself for the next few years – that memory can be tough to shake!

Heartburn and acid reflux usually occur later in pregnancy, as your baby starts taking up more space in your belly. This isn’t dangerous either, but it is uncomfortable – here are some tips for alleviating heartburn.

Mood swings and forgetfulness

A sudden upswell of anger and unprovoked tears might come out of nowhere, and we have hormones to thank for that. Given the hormonal changes taking place in your body, your emotions might be all over the place. And it isn’t easy to always be in high spirits when you’re feeling tired or nauseous. But don’t worry – it will pass! If it gets to be too much: figure out what causes irritation and aim to avoid those situations. Many people also find that they’re easily distracted and have trouble concentrating – you might miss meetings; your keys may wind up in the fridge; you could find a cucumber in your purse. This may be your brain’s way of saying it has more important things to focus on right now than where your keys end up.

Sore breasts

If your breasts feel sore and achy, it may be a very early sign of pregnancy. The reason is simple: fat is stored in the breasts and the glands that make milk are growing, resulting in sore breasts. If they don’t feel tender, that’s no cause for concern – neither breast size nor soreness have any impact on milk production.

Headache

Headaches during pregnancy can be due to several factors: you’re more tired than usual, your blood sugar is low, or you could be low on fluids if you’ve been nauseous and vomiting. Fresh air, water and rest often do the trick. If it doesn’t go away, or if your headache feels different than usual, contact your doctor or midwife, because it could be a symptom of preeclampsia.

Stomach pain

Stomach pain may have you worried, but it’s usually caused by harmless things like constipation or a growing uterus. It might feel like little stings, or almost like mild menstrual cramps low in your belly. If this is bothering or worrying you, then talk to your doctor or midwife. If you’re having pain that gets worse or does not pass, then contact your doctor or midwife for advice.

Urgent need to pee and trouble holding it in

Feeling like you have to pee constantly can be an early sign of pregnancy. This annoying condition is due both to hormones impacting the musculature of the pelvis, and to the fact that your uterus is growing and pressing against your bladder. The kidneys also have a bit more work to do when you’re pregnant and more urine ends up in the bladder. Not being able to sleep through the night without one or more trips to the toilet can be really frustrating. Pressure from the uterus also leads many people to have trouble holding it all in. But this doesn’t mean you should try to drink less water – your body needs extra fluids right now. Instead, Kegel exercises can make a big difference. Wearing a panty liner with rapid absorption to wick away moisture and lock in odour may feel comforting. Panty liners from TENA or Dailies Extra Protection from Libresse were developed specifically to handle a little urine.

During pregnancy, you are at increased risk of urinary tract infection, which should be treated early. Your doctor or midwife will monitor this by taking urine samples regularly.

Constipation – or diarrhoea

A sluggish stomach is a classic pregnancy problem! This is because your intestines seem to think this is a great chance to relax a little. If you’re taking an iron supplement, this issue tends to be worse. Drinking plenty of water and moving your body are great universal tricks for fighting a sluggish stomach and they work here, too. But diet also plays a major role: fibre and dried plums (prunes) can help get things moving. Some people might also find the opposite: things may be a little looser, especially as childbirth approaches.

Haemorrhoids and varicose veins are common during pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, the quantity of blood in your body increases and that can cause some problems. Varicose veins are common during pregnancy, as are haemorrhoids, which are small varicose veins in or near the rectum that can be itchy and painful. Constipation can make this condition worse. To avoid trouble with varicose veins and haemorrhoids, remember to:

• Move your legs and feet, which can prevent varicose veins.
• Avoid sitting with your legs crossed.
• Compression socks might feel good.
• Aim to elevate your feet as often as possible.
• Salves are available for haemorrhoids, but check first to make sure they’re okay for use during pregnancy.

Haemorrhoids almost always disappear after childbirth. Varicose veins usually subside, but don’t always disappear entirely.

Pigmentation, stretch marks and streaks

When you’re pregnant, your skin develops more pigment, which makes your nipples darker. This is thought to be to help the baby find them. Changes in pigmentation can also produce a dark line running down from the naval; this line gradually disappears – often completely – after pregnancy. Dark spots of pigmentation can also appear on the face. You should always protect yourself from the sun – but your skin is extra sensitive when you’re pregnant and if you want to avoid permanent pigmentation, a high-quality sunscreen is essential.

Stretch marks on your breasts, belly, thighs and butt are common and are caused by your skin being stretched out. Some people say you can prevent stretch marks with moisturising oils. There is no scientific evidence that this works, but it might make your belly feel nice and soft. These marks will fade after pregnancy, but rarely disappear altogether – and that isn’t the end the world! See them as a sign of what your body is capable of!

Braxton-Hicks contractions

Many people experience Braxton-Hicks contractions early in their pregnancy, while others don’t have them until later on. They might be worse later in the day, or with stress or exertion. They are not particularly painful, but they can feel uncomfortable. You can try pausing for a moment, sitting or lying down and resting, and it will generally pass. If these contractions tend to happen while you’re resting, it’s a good idea to address this with your doctor or midwife to make sure you aren’t experiencing a urinary tract infection. If you’re having a lot of contractions and they are painful, then it’s also wise to talk to your doctor or midwife.

Pregnancy itch and cramps

As if there weren’t enough symptoms that can disrupt sleep, you might also experience pregnancy itch. This condition is often most severe at night and is typically due to hormones or to the skin being stretched. Pregnancy itch doesn’t produce a rash, but you might leave marks if you scratch a lot. Salves for itchy skin and breathable clothes might help. If you experience a burning sensation combined with excessive itchiness, especially on your hands and feet, talk to your doctor or midwife because pregnancy itch can be a sign of cholestasis of pregnancy. Cholestasis of pregnancy affects the liver, causing excessive bile acids in the blood, and presents as excessive itching. It should be treated with medication to make sure those elevated levels of bile acid don’t affect the baby.

Later in pregnancy, you might wake up from sharp cramping in your calves. This isn’t the most pleasant way to wake up, but it isn’t dangerous. Flex your foot and press it firmly to the headboard or floor and the cramp should release. Wearing support socks during the day, drinking plenty of water and massaging your calves before bed can also alleviate the problem.

Yeast infection

Yeast infections are also fairly common during pregnancy. The increased risk is due to elevated oestrogen in the body and the fact that your immune system is slightly suppressed during pregnancy. For most people, issues with yeast infection arise during the second and third trimesters If you experience vaginal itching and burning, talk to your doctor or midwife to get treatment. To address any problems, it may be wise to not wash your genitals too often and to use perfume-free oil or an intimate wash that contains no soap. And of course, you should never wash inside the vulva, only the outer parts.

Back and pelvic pain

Back pain is fairly common because your back muscles are hard at work holding up a belly that is getting bigger and bigger. Combine that with the fact that your hormones are loosening your joints and ligaments to allow a baby to pass through, and there’s no doubt about it: back pain is part of pregnancy. Resting often, no longer carrying heavy loads and wearing good shoes are three tricks that can help. Some people also have sciatica: pain that radiates from your lower back and through your legs. If that happens, your midwife or doctor can help you find a suitable physiotherapist. Pain originating more specifically from the pelvis and pubic area is also possible. While it is far from comfortable, it almost always subsides after childbirth.

Swollen mucous membranes can cause nasal congestion, nosebleeds and discharge

When you’re pregnant, your body holds more blood, which can cause swollen mucous membranes. In turn, this can lead to a variety of symptoms: more discharge, stuffy nose, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums when you brush your teeth. Consider:

• Choosing a softer toothbrush. But don’t brush your teeth less often! It’s easier to develop cavities when you’re pregnant.
• Blow your nose carefully to avoid nosebleeds.
• Alleviate stuffy nose with a saline nasal solution and an extra pillow at night, which will reduce swelling.
• If your stuffy nose becomes too much, visit your pharmacy for help or ask a doctor to prescribe something.
• If you wear a panty liner, you may need to change it more often due to increased discharge.

Swelling and numbness

The increased quantity of blood and fluids in your body doesn’t only affect mucous membranes; it can also cause swelling in your hands and feet. This will be especially apparent after a strenuous day, or when it’s hot outside. The swelling will usually disappear the next day or after a few hours of resting with your feet in an elevated position. To keep your circulation up, wear compression socks, get regular exercise, and kick up your feet as soon as the opportunity arises!

Increased fluid can also cause numbness and pain in your hands, known as carpal tunnel syndrome. This is treated with a splint and sometimes with acupuncture – talk to a physiotherapist. The pain might also be ordinary joint pain, since your hormones are making sure that your joints are hypermobile.

Restless arms and legs

Restless leg syndrome feels like little pings and a creepy-crawly sensation in your legs, producing an irresistible need to move them. This often kicks in when you’re going to bed or as a surprise in the middle of the night. Pregnant people with low iron levels tend to be more susceptible, but hormonal factors can also play a role. Coffee and nicotine are thought to aggravate these symptoms. Find comfort in the fact that this condition almost always improves after childbirth.

Shortness of breath and heart palpitations

Towards the end of your pregnancy, heart palpitations are common due to the increased amount of blood being pumped through the body – we’re talking between 30 and 50% more blood in circulation. It can also feel like you’ve lost your cardiovascular strength – and given that towards the end of your pregnancy, your pulse will increase by up to 20 bpm, this isn’t that strange. Shortness of breath is to be expected and crossing the street might take ages. But don’t lose hope – it’s because your lungs simply have less room. Going for a run might not sound particularly appealing, but physical activity while you’re pregnant is a good thing; it just needs to be adapted to what your body can handle.

Cravings

Crazy cravings for a certain kind of food – or in extreme cases, for something that isn’t food but that you wish were – are common during pregnancy. You’ve probably heard of everything from sour green apples to out-there things, like mortar. Cravings for inedible things, which is known as pica syndrome, are thankfully quite rare – most people just become massively focused on a certain kind of food. We don’t know exactly what causes this, but hormonal changes impact our sense of taste and smell and might make old favourites seem disgusting and vice versa.

It will pass!

The list of pregnancy-related ailments is long – and once you’ve read it, you might feel a little turned off by the idea of pregnancy. But few people end up with all of these issues! Usually, you just get a couple – and they pass after pregnancy. However, most people who are pregnant find that their hair gets healthier, their skin improves, and the people around them are nicer and more helpful. And of course: after week 40 or so, a new little person arrives who is worth every cramp in the world!

Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.