Pregnancy Aches I Alternative Medicine I Holistic Chiropractor

Are you facing pregnancy pains? Learn all about the most common pregnancy complications.

Yes, this will likely happen to you...

While there's bound to be at least one woman in your prenatal class who manages to sail through her entire pregnancy without being troubled by so much as a single ache or pain, such mothers-to-be tend to be the exception rather than the rule. The rest of us mere mortals end up experiencing a smorgasbord of different complaints along the way. Here's what you need to know about coping with the 10 most common pregnancy-related aches and pains.

What Causes Gastritis?

What is the Colon and Signs and Symptoms

1) Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is one of the most bothersome pregnancy-related complaints, but also one of the most common: studies have shown that 80 per cent of pregnant women experience it to a certain degree.

The reason for morning sickness is your baby is allergic to something you ate.

Consulting with your Holistic Chiropractor who is well versed in this concern is the best thing you can do to overcome this concern. The best ways to do battle with morning sickness are to, with the help of your Holistic Chiropractor, figure out what are the foods triggering the sickness and get treated for them as soon as possible.

You should also

keep your blood sugar level relatively stable by eating frequently throughout the day;
avoid fluids at mealtimes, since this may add to your nausea;
focus on eating stomach-friendly foods; steer clear of strong odors; and
avoid tight-fitting clothing.

If all else fails, try wearing a set of anti-nausea wristbands: some pregnant women swear by them.

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2) Fatigue

Fatigue is Mother Nature's way of reminding you that you need to slow down. After all, your body is busy growing a baby.

Your energy level will pick up during the second trimester, but you can expect to feel pretty dragged out until that time. The best way to cope is to give your body what it needs: plenty of sleep and plenty of water.

3) Breast tenderness

You may find your breasts feel sore and swollen around the time that the pregnancy test comes back positive, particularly if you're pregnant for the first time. Fortunately, this extreme tenderness tends to ease up relatively quickly.

In the meantime, you might want to put your partner on notice that there's a hands-off policy in effect.

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4) Constipation

High levels of progesterone cause the muscles of the intestine to get a little sluggish when you're pregnant -- something that can lead to the misery that is constipation. Fortunately, the problem takes care of itself if you

belly breathe,
drink plenty of water,
consume large quantities of high-fiber foods, and
exercise regularly.

5) Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids occur when pressure from the baby's head causes the veins around the anus to swell. You can minimize the discomfort by

applying an ice pack or
prescription ointment to the affected area;
keeping the area around your anus clean;
not straining when you're having a bowel movement; and
not sitting on hard surfaces or standing for long periods of time, but chances are your hemorrhoids won't disappear entirely until long after delivery day. To avoid this, increase your calcium intake with Whole Food Supplements. DO NOT USE CHEMICAL ISOLATES

6) Backache

Wondering why your back is feeling so sore?

The overstretching of your abdominal muscles, changes to your posture and the curvature of your spine, and the hormonal changes that cause the ligaments in your back to relax are all to blame.

Your best bets for minimizing your discomfort are to

avoid activities like running that may be jarring to your spine;
exercise caution when you're bending, lifting, or otherwise changing position;
avoid sitting or standing in one position for long periods of time;
pay attention to your posture; and tuck a pillow between your knees when you're sleeping on your side (to help take some of the pressure off your lower back).

Medical Treatments

7) Heartburn

The hormonal changes of pregnancy are responsible for yet another common complaint: heartburn. Your best bets for battling heartburn are to eat smaller, more frequent meals; avoid spicy or fried foods; coat your stomach with a glass of milk before eating; and skip your bedtime snack. If all else fails, you might want to ask your doctor or midwife to recommend an antacid or medication that's safe for use during pregnancy.

8) Breathlessness

It's hardly surprising that you find yourself feeling out of breath each time you climb a flight of stairs: you're subletting your lungs to your uterus! This is why that bothersome feeling of breathlessness tends to get worse as your pregnancy progresses. By the time you go into labor, you may find yourself imitating Jerry Lee Lewis and singing,"Oh baby, you leave me breathless!" There's not much you can do about this particular complaint but count down the days until you deliver -- something that will have you breathing easier for more than one reason.

9) Insomnia

Whether it's caused by anxiety about the coming birth or the physical discomforts of pregnancy, c is a common complaint during pregnancy. Try exercising regularly; winding down with a mug of warm milk; skipping your late-evening snack; and sleeping with as many pillows as it takes to make yourself comfortable.

10) Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are the irregular contractions that occur during the last half of pregnancy as your body starts to do some heavy-duty training for the main event (labour!). While they can be very uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, there's not much you can do about them except practice your labour breathing and remind yourself that pregnancy is a limited-time offer: you won't be pregnant forever, even though it may sometimes feel that way.

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