Overview
In many cases, women start prenatal care with questions about their own health that they hope to address with the provider. However, it’s also common for women to come to the appointments with more general questions about pregnancy. It’s important for providers to be sensitive to their needs, which include a desire to make pregnancy more enjoyable, have the ability to feel more secure in their pregnancy, and not be overwhelmed by the changes happening with their bodies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 5 million pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, putting a significant burden on the health care system. In California, more than 700,000 pregnancies were unplanned in 2011, according to the CDC.
When a woman discovers she is pregnant, a woman usually has a few weeks to decide whether to continue with her pregnancy, take medicine to prevent a miscarriage or choose adoption, according to HealthCare Direct, an online tool for women and their health care providers that was developed by Stanford University researchers.
Pregnancy Symptoms
Symptoms of pregnancy that I had never heard of! Some were awful and uncomfortable and I would pray with more thankfulness than others. Looking back I thought for sure my body would know what it was doing.
Symptoms before pregnancy test
If you’re pregnant, you can expect to feel tired, nauseous, and even break out into a sweat sometimes. If you have just ovulated and are waiting to get a positive pregnancy test, you can also experience vaginal tenderness and other physical signs of ovulation. Pregnant women are also more sensitive to the hormone known as progesterone, which can increase vaginal discharge, increase the number of menstrual cycles a woman goes through, and even trigger early menstruation. If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, you may find yourself frustrated by spotting a few days after ovulation.
Missed Period
If you haven’t had a period for four or more consecutive months, that is an early sign of pregnancy. So, it is best to seek medical help. While this happens very rarely, check with a doctor if the condition persists for more than four months. If your period has started and you have missed it due to many reasons such as your period not starting for the first time after a long gap or if you are suffering from an ovarian cyst or any other condition that disturbs your periods, then consult a doctor. But if you’re certain that you’ve missed your period because of PCOS, then go and get yourself tested. Remember, early detection and diagnosis of PCOS are key to treating it.
Headache
Due to the increased blood flow pregnant women experience headache. As the fetus grows, this extra blood flow may be more likely to cause clots. It is possible that a person may also experience a slow heart beat or an irregular heart rhythm.
Spotting
Spotting in early pregnancy around 19 weeks and again between 16 and 18 weeks is common, but for most women the change was quite subtle. This study is the first to provide evidence that these markers in the blood increase when women are just 8 weeks pregnant.
Weight gain
Weight gain in women during pregnancy blood sugar levels (should be tested before and during pregnancy and after) related to changes in fat stores related to changes in fat stores.
After pregnancy, a woman’s cravings can change to include the new addition. “Your cravings may include sweets and fast food and less healthy foods like fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, you may feel hunger more often,” says co-author Dr. Nigel Hunt, of King’s College London. Outlook Some women experience no symptoms during their pregnancy, but most experience at least one symptom listed here.
Hypertension
Hypertension during pregnancy is a major risk factor for preeclampsia, a serious condition that develops during pregnancy.
A chronic high-sugar diet during pregnancy is a known risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease, and even mild elevations of blood sugar have been linked to higher odds of preeclampsia. “We know that maternal diet is linked to gestational diabetes, which can put the mother at risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy,” said study co-author Tracey Lapier, PhD, a professor of nutrition at the University of California, Berkeley.
Heartburn
Though heartburn is common during pregnancy, it is usually mild and temporary. Severe and long-lasting heartburn, as well as other gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, should be treated. Treatment of heartburn during pregnancy can help to prevent any complications or premature birth. There are few restrictions for pregnant women who take heartburn medication. However, it is best to check the instructions carefully. Some medicines are better to take on an empty stomach, while others are better to take with food.
To stay healthy and prevent heartburn while pregnant: avoid fatty or spicy foods, especially if they are not usually a part of your diet. avoid eating too much liquid at the same time and being hungry. avoid eating too many rich or spicy foods, especially if you are not normally a sweet or salty food eater. avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic drinks in the evening because they may trigger heartburn. have a glass of water before meals to avoid bloating or constipation.
Constipation
Hormonal changes causes constipation. Constipation during pregnancy was first studied by von Recklinghausen in 1775 and Dr (1842) Dr John William and his colleagues at East London Hospital investigated the effect of relaxation techniques on the contractions of labor, especially of the womb, in women with normal.
They did find that relaxation methods may help some women avoid rupturing their pelvis during labor and after childbirth.
Cramps
Cramps resembles pulling sensation. The pull is in response to your baby moving down and pushing your cervix up to prepare for the birth as the uterus began to expand.
Back pain
Back pain during pregnancy is a very common condition. It is also the most common cause of poor pregnancy outcomes, and the number one reason for going into early labour. It occurs in approximately one in every ten pregnant women. For some women, it affects the pain their pregnant partner may be experiencing during sex.
Excess breast size
Breast size change during or after childbirth (pregnancy refers to one year, postpartum refers to a year after giving birth). Excess fat in breast, milk production causes size to increase.
Anxiety
Anxiety during pregnancy is very common, but can be very difficult to identify. In many cases, it is a sign that something is not right. Check in with your doctor if you are concerned.
Hip pain
Hip pain is the common symptom of pregnancy due to the weight of the baby for many months. Pain relief, usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is recommended, with paracetamol or ibuprofen being the most effective. But, doctors should still examine the function of your hip if the pain is not alleviated after using NSAIDs or over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. If your doctor can’t reduce the pain, you may be referred to a physiotherapist, or you may be prescribed another treatment.
Vomiting
Vomiting during pregnant or morning sickness during pregnancy was not a controlled study, the researchers can’t rule out the possibility that Zika infection during pregnancy is leading to an even greater spike in the birth defect in Puerto Rico than normal. Most of the signs of infection in pregnant women aren’t discovered until the third trimester, and as a result many pregnant women with Zika tend to have a normal and healthy pregnancy.
Acne
Although treatment may provide control, many women continue to suffer from acne during pregnancy. Some women find that pregnancy-related acne is more severe than usual. Common treatment options include medications and chemical peels.
Acne forms in the initial stages of the human embryonic development of the body, or when the two blastocysts fuse together. It begins within the tissue layer, or stratum corneum, a few days before implantation and continues until a foetus is grown to the gestational age of the mother.
During the second trimester, the mean number of women having recurring moderate to severe acne in the United States, decreases from 4% in the first trimester to 3.5% in the second. In the third trimester, the mean number of women having recurring moderate to severe acne is reduced to 2%.
In the United States in 2008, 1 in 5 (18%) women reported some kind of acne problem during their pregnancies. The condition is most common among younger women, but it is also present in those as old as 70. In most cases, acne causes no problems during the pregnancy, but it can cause some mild problems, such as emotional upset, aches and pains, and headaches. Steroids or antibiotics have been prescribed in severe cases.
In most cases of pre or early pregnancy acne, there is no significant difference between the mother and the unborn child in its susceptibility to infection from opportunistic organisms. While in some cases, severe acne can be a symptom of infection by Staphylococcus aureus. Some cases involve pregnancy associated acne, “Proteus” species have been reported in the mother, suggesting that S. aureus may be an environmental risk factor for acne. In a small percentage of cases, pregnancy may result in recurrent or permanent acne.
Pregnancy usually causes moderate acne, but some women develop severe acne during pregnancy, even if they previously suffered from mild acne. The most severe cases have been described in women who also have an oily skin.
Depression
The prognosis is not good. Research has shown that depression in pregnancy is associated with poor birth outcomes and risks for postpartum depression, as well as poorer cognitive outcomes for children.
Women develop depressive symptoms during pregnancy for the same reasons women experience it during other stages of their lives — overstressed, sleep-deprived, and financially stressed. (Women are more likely to become depressed during a high-pressure job). However, depression during pregnancy is particularly problematic because it interrupts important milestones in a woman’s life — like starting a family. If untreated, it can lead to preterm labor and even birth defects.
Anemia
Unmonitored anemia can lead to issues like premature delivery and gestational diabetes. It’s crucial for pregnant women to do regular blood tests for anemia. There are two main types: iron-deficient anemia, which is caused by low iron levels, and pregnancy-associated anemia, which is caused by stress.
Anemia can be a sign of preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes. Some researchers believe women with preeclampsia and eclampsia are more likely to have anemia. Natural remedies Soaking the feet in hot water for 20 minutes several times a week can also help. Researchers think the process activates certain nerve receptors that may be responsible for easing the symptoms of anemia. Other approaches include taking iron supplements and drinking plenty of fluids. Women with preeclampsia or eclampsia may also need a blood transfusion.
There are many other causes of anemia. While it is normal for women to have some degree of anemia, some pregnant women have very low levels. This is not only dangerous for their pregnancy, but can also increase their risk of developing a blood disorder later in life.
Pregnancy and stress
When it comes to matters of life and death for the fetus, how do you make sure that your partner feels comfortable talking about it? So it is called to be an emotional stress to the parents.
“I do recommend discussing the possibility of an emergency C-section before the due date, to gauge how [the parents] are dealing with the very real possibility of a C-section,” says Dr. Margaret Gedde, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis. If you’re not already pregnant, but it feels like your partner is expecting the unexpected to happen, talk to them about the pros and cons of a C-section.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, C-sections are the most common surgery in the U.S. with a rate of about 32 percent of all deliveries — about 400,000 surgeries each year. They are safe and effective in about 75 percent of cases, but there are risks and complications for both mother and child. With that in mind, Dr. Gedde recommends having a C-section discussion before the due date to help your partner prepare for the possibility of having an emergency C-section.
Diarrhea
The level of dietary fiber consumed by the mother during pregnancy is believed to determine the risk of developing IBD, particularly Crohn’s disease. Supplements of choline, lysine, and vitamin D during pregnancy have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of disease.
Some studies also suggest that boron may protect against the development of IBD. Babies of mothers with a diet high in folate and high in unsaturated fatty acids may be less likely to develop colitis and more likely to show protective responses against IBD and celiac disease, compared with those of mothers with an unhealthy diet.
Bottom line
It is important to know thing about pregnancy prior to the symptoms reach our body. This increase the mental strength and makes a mother and the family strong, reducing the risks. The above discussed symptoms are mostly common in every pregnant women. A heathy mind during the pregnancy period leads to a heathy baby.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3402/qhw.v6i2.5600
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0103085
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK304178/
Sirisha B