Tips to combat heartburn:
- Eat smaller and more frequent meals instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
- Chew food slowly to insure that plenty of digestive juices get added.
- Sip warm milk or hot Peppermint tea. Yoghurt is also helpful.
- Many women find relief from chewing several Papaya tablets or try some candied Ginger.
- Sleeping in a propped up position can also help.
- Chew some Anise seeds or make into a tea.
Cravings
At some time during your pregnancy you may crave a particular food. Food cravings may signify a need for a particular nutrient or mineral. For example, many women crave salty carvings, but watch out for high-fat-foods that might cause you to gain too much weight or high –sodium foods that can make you retain water.
Congested or Bloody Nose
During pregnancy, the lining of the respiratory tract receives more blood, often making it more congested. This congestion can also cause stuffiness in the nose or nosebleeds. In addition, small blood vessels in the nose are easily damaged due to the increased blood pressure, causing nosebleeds.
Dizziness
Dizziness during pregnancy is a common symptom, which may be caused by:
- low blood pressure due to the uterus compressing major arteries
- low blood sugar
- low iron
quickly moving from a sitting position to a standing position. To prevent injury from falling during episodes of dizziness, a pregnant woman should stand up slowly and hold on to the walls and other stable structures for support and balance.
Fatigue
Most women feel more tired than usual during the first and third trimesters. It is important to get enough sleep throughout your pregnancy, and rest whenever you can. Fatigue can also be due to anemia, or insufficient iron in the blood. A simple blood test can reveal anemia and your doctor may recommend an iron supplement. Don’t start taking supplements on your own. Too much iron can be dangerous.
Edema or Fluid Retention
is a common occurrence in late pregnancy, and is rarely serious. If you see swelling in your hands and face, however, it can be a sign of a serious complication called preeclampsia (pregnancy induced high blood pressure) and should be reported to the doctor immediately. Preeclampsia should be treated to ensure that blood flow (and thus oxygen and nourishment) to the baby remains unrestricted, and to prevent an even more serious condition called eclampsia (pregnancy-related convulsions) that can be fatal to both mother and baby.
Tips to manage Edema:
- Eat lots of protein rich foods daily trying to get at least 75 grams of protein.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Salt your foods to taste (do NOT avoid salt, as some believe).
- Sleep with legs elevated and elevate legs often throughout the day.
- Avoid restrictive clothing.
- Take liver strengthening herbs such as Dandelion and Milk Thistle and eat foods such as beets, beet greens and artichokes.
Leg Cramps
Leg cramps, also called charley horses, can be bothersome during pregnancy. especially if you experience them at night. Cramps are characterized by a sharp, grabbing pain in the calf. A cramp is spasm in two sets of muscles that forces your foot to point involuntarily
They can be caused by a deficiency of calcium in a form that your body can use, or by getting too much phosphorus. Your doctor may tell you to drink less milk, and stop taking supplements containing calcium phosphate. Instead, the doctor may prescribe calcium carbonate or calcium lactate tablets. Soft drinks, snack foods and processed foods are all high in phosphates; you may need to cut down on them or eliminate them from your diet. Stretching your calf muscles before going to bed and first thing to the morning may help prevent cramps. If you get a cramp in the middle of the night, get up and walk around slowly until it subsides. Avoid pointing your toes when you stretch your legs in the morning since this can cause cramps. Also, lead with the heel when you walk.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
