Common Pregnancy Problems

When common pregnancy problems become your problems, life changes.

Maybe you used to be a very active, busy person who has been “slowed down” by some of these pregnancy problems.

Or maybe you have to cut out certain foods from your diet that you used to eat every day.

It is hard to get used to these changes in your body, but what sometimes helps is knowing that you are not alone and that there are some things you can do to help.

1. Hormones. The reason for most of the common pregnancy problems is the change in hormones that occurs. Your body is now supporting another life, and hormone changes are required.

2. Blood flow changes. Also, your blood pressure may change due to widened blood vessels and the fact that blood is now flowing to the growing baby.

3. Baby’s growth. Many of the common pregnancy discomforts are simply because the baby is growing and more change in your body follows.

4. Anxiety. It is common to feel some anxiety in pregnancy, leading to other physical discomforts. You may be under stress moving to a larger house, apprehensive about the way your life will change, and unsure about future plans. Remember that this is normal and there is nothing “wrong” with you!

• Dizziness
  
  
• Nausea with or without vomiting

• High blood pressure (pregnancy induced hypertension or preeclampsia)

• Gestational diabetes

• Food cravings or food aversions

• Moodiness

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Constipation
  
  
• Hemorrhoids
  
  
• Heartburn/reflux
  
  
• Yeast infections

There are some problems that cannot be completely avoided, but can be helped with a healthy pregnancy diet.

If you are eating the right foods and still suffering, talk to your health care provider about other options. You should always discuss any concerns you have with your health care provider, because that is why they are there.

When dealing with these pregnancy problems, use food and nutrition to work for you, not against you! And, of course, remember that most of these discomforts are only temporary!