Coping with Discomforts in Pregnancy

ANTENATAL CLASS WITH NURSE RICKETTS NIGERIA.

COPING WITH COMMON MINOR DISCOMFORTS IN PREGNANCY.

BY; NURSE RICKETTSCHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR

WELCOME!

My Name is Nurse Ricketts, a Nigerian trained Nurse Midwife. I love Childbirth education and would want you to enjoy this with me!

INTRODUCTIONEvery pregnancy is a unique experience for every woman.

All pregnancies are new and uniquely different for every mother!

In this series we’ll be discussing the minor disorders in Pregnancy and how to handle them.

WELCOME TO CLASS

About 50% of pregnant are said to be affected by this disorder during pregnancy. The exact cause is not known but it is thought to be an effect of the combination of hormonal changes, physiological adjustments and neurologic factors.

This condition often makes the mother feel like throwing up at the smell and taste of anything including her saliva. This in combination with a few hormonal factors lead to increased salivation.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

REMEDYO Remedies include Eating dry biscuits

with a drink before getting out of bed, avoidance of spicy or pungent odours, eating little food often.

O Eating small frequent meals will help to maintain the body’s blood sugar levels and taking small amount of fluid in between meals, help maintain hydration.

This condition usually gets better around the 16th -20th week. Where the situation worsens, hospitalization may be required. At such a stage it is known as HYPEREMISES GRAVIDARUM. Studies have shown that a well balanced diet containing all the required food groups prior to conception could reduce the incidence of this disorder.

IF IT CONTINUES………..

Breast tenderness and feeling of fullness are some of the first changes noticed by a woman at the inception of pregnancy. These changes are as a result of hormonal and circulatory preparations for breastfeeding.

Remedy at this point may not be specific, but the wearing of firm brassieres would be encouraged.

BREAST CHANGES

This could occur in the early months of pregnancy, when the enlarging uterus is in the pelvis, pressuring the bladder. Thereby reducing its urine containing capacity.It could also occur at the 30th week when the presenting part becomes enlarged.

FREQUENCY OF MICTURITION

What would you do if you are pressed, and you find yourself in an environment where there is no

convenient convenience……????????

CLASS ACTIVITY……..

MY ANSWER……!!!!!!!!!

OR………

REMEDYO There is no specific remedy for this

discomfort, but mothers are encouraged to control their fluid intake when going to places where a convenience is not very accessible.

O Same for nights, so as to reduce sleep interruptions.

This occurs because progesterone relaxes the muscles of the intestine thereby reducing peristaltic movements/ actions. It could also result if high dose of iron therapy is prescribed for a pregnant woman (in cases of Anemia).

Remedy; intake of adequate / increased fluid, diets rich in fiber / Roughage, to allow for easy digestion and excretion.

CONSTIPATION

During pregnancy a woman’s body undergoes many changes and backache can ensue from the growing uterus causing a change in posture and the influence of a hormone called Relaxin.

This discomfort is not limited to any particular trimester, but may span the entire pregnancy period.

Please note that women who have a pre-pregnancy back condition, are at higher risk of experiencing more severe aches.

BACKACHE

Remedies

Includes education on the maintenance of a good posture, adopting appropriate positions when lifting either small children or heavy objects, avoidance of standing for long hours, wearing supporting maternal girdle and pelvic exercises. Others are gentle massage and taking a warm bath.

Cramp which Is a sudden gripping contraction of the calf muscle, frequently occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy. The cause is thought to be lowered serum ionized calcium level and increased level of phosphates. Amazingly it usually occurs at night.

CRAMP IN THE LEG

OTHER CRAMP SITES…

Remedies;

Include; O Leg stretching exercises before going

to bed,O Reduction of intake of soft

/carbonated drinks/ processed food in meals,

O Adequate intake of vitamin B, calcium and salt are also necessary to reduce its occurrence.

Headaches in pregnancy are usually as a result of hormonal changes, strain on the eyes, sinusitis, fatigue and emotional changes and can occur at any stage of pregnancy.

Remedy; includes rest and adequate nutrition.Where it occurs towards the end of pregnancy with raised blood pressure, and proteinuria, then urgent medical attention is required.

HEADACHE

This condition affects most women not just during pregnancy, but also at the post natal period.

In the first trimester, when it occurs, its due to hormonal changes and the organogenesis that is taking place. In the second trimester it’s usually less, but in the third, it usually related to the increase in weight , difficult mobility and increased metabolism.

FATIGUE

Post-nataly, it’s attributed to the stress of labour and the physical demands of caring for the newborn.

POST-NATALY…………

Remedy;

ADEQUATE REST

This is caused by the relaxing effect of progesterone on the cardiac sphincter, causing acid stomach contents refluxing into the oesophagus. This causes some sort of pain.

HEARTBURN

Remedy;

Small frequent easily digestible meals and sleeping in semi recumbent positions at night may make an unusual impact. Antacids too can be used.

This may develop in pregnancy, and if already present, could become worse due to relaxation of plain muscle in the veins and impaired venous system.

Remedy: includes wearing of elastic tights, elevating / lifting the legs when about to sleep at night.

VARICOSE VIENS

In pregnancy there is the normal vaginal discharge known as ‘leucorrhoea”, but can increase or become infected. When this occurs, Medical attention should be sought.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE

This is very common during pregnancy and can be due to several factors. One is the hormonal imbalance, which influences her psychological state and how she reacts to situations.

The other is the physical discomfort of some of the disorders she’s experiencing.

EMOTIONAL FACTORS

Remedy

Here………, is her birth partner and family members support, and reassurance by her Caregiver and Midwife.

THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR DOCTOR…

Lower abdominal pains or cramps

Persistent vomiting

High temperature or chills

Exposure to communicable diseases e.g. measles

Continuous Severe headache

Frequent burning urination

Blurring of vision

Spotting, bleeding or sudden gush of fluid from the vagina

Swelling of hands and feet

Sudden weight gain

Fainting spells or dizziness

There are several other discomforts that we may not have mentioned here, but if you experience anything you consider unusual, please consult your doctor. 

CONCLUSION

WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST FROM ALL OF US

@ ANTENATAL CLASS WITH NURSE

RICKETTS.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.