What causes it? 

The ligaments, which support your uterus, stretching as your baby grows.

 What can you do? 

Try a warm bath with essential oils such as lavender, chamomile and ylang-ylang and then massage your abdomen with body lotion. 

 Talk to your LMC:

If the pains don’t gradually fade. 

What causes it? 

Pregnancy hormones can make your vein walls distended due to weakened valves, this is due to the increased blood volume needed for the baby and the increased weight of the growing uterus. 

What can you do? 

Avoid standing for long periods; sit down or walk around if you can. Wear support tights, from first thing in the morning. 

Talk to your LMC:

If they become very hot and uncomfortable. 

What causes it? 

The muscle at the top of the stomach tends not to close properly… those pregnancy hormones again!

What can you do? 

Try to eat small, frequent meals. Avoid spicy food if it makes it worse. Drink water or milk when you get the burning feeling. Sleep propped up on pillows. 

Talk to your LMC:

If you need a remedy to help you cope, over-the-counter medicines work well, but your LMC/pharmacist can advise which are safe to use. 

What causes it? 

Some experts think it is a caused by lack of the mineral potassium, and that extra calcium in the diet can help prevent it. 

What can you do? 

Eat bananas, high in potassium, and milk, leafy green vegetables and oranges for calcium. If you get cramp, massage the leg firmly, or put your bare foot on a cold floor. 

Talk to your LMC:

If it’s a frequent problem for individual advice on how to ease them. 

What causes it? 

Fluid retention in the wrists puts pressure on the nerves causing a tingling feeling or numbness in the hands (called ‘carpal tunnel syndrome’). It usually gets better after the baby is born. 

What can you do? 

Raise your arm on a cushion when you are sitting reading or watching TV. If your hands are tingly when you wake up, raise your hands and wriggle your fingers. 

Talk to your LMC:

If you have the numbness a lot of the time and it’s very uncomfortable. Wearing a splint at night helps some people. 

What causes it? 

Extra fluid in your system. 

What can you do? 

Rest with your feet up to heart level whenever you can. Avoid tight-fitting shoes, and socks that cut in around the ankles. Wear support tights. Remove tight fitting rings. 

Talk to your LMC:

If your face becomes swollen and you begin to get headaches— together they may signal pre-eclampsia 

Your nose may be blocked and even bleed if you blow it too energetically. The 30-50% extra blood supply during pregnancy can create pressure in these blood vessels. Eat lots of food containing vitamin C as this can help strengthen the blood vessels. 

The extra blood volume may also cause you to feel light headed or dizzy at times. Women often feel faint moving from a lying position to standing, like getting out of bed in the morning. If this does happen try sitting with your legs over the side of the bed for a minute or two, before standing, so that the blood pressure can adjust. If you skip a meal, you may feel light-headed, too. Avoid standing up for long periods if you can, keep your fluids up and eat regularly. Carry a small snack or some fruit in your bag to keep you going. 

Many women feel short of breath during their pregnancy. It can begin early as a result of higher progesterone levels making you breathe faster. Many women feel short of breath toward the end of pregnancy as their baby grows compressing their internal organs in addition to having a large belly. Shortness of breath can also be a sign of low iron though so discuss this with your LMC. 

Bleeding gums are a common issue that many pregnant women experience. This is due to the hormonal changes in the body, which can cause the gums to become more sensitive and inflamed. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene during pregnancy by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups to reduce gum disease developing. Remember to tell them you are pregnant in case you need an x-ray. 

A clear or white discharge is normal during pregnancy. If it becomes thicker, yellowish, itchy or painful, tell your LMC as you may have thrush. This is an infection in your vagina, that can be caused by the changing balance of hormones which makes the conditions right for thrush to grow. To avoid thrush, wear cotton underwear which will help keep the area cool and dry, wear loose fitting clothing and don’t use scented soaps or bubble baths. The infection can be treated with anti-fungal medicines but ask your pharmacist, LMC or GP —some treatments aren’t suitable for use during pregnancy. 

Sometimes called piles because they look like a little pile of grapes. Haemorrhoids are varicose veins in your anus. If you’ve noticed a lot of soreness or itchiness in the area, either irritating or painful, or even some bleeding, you might have haemorrhoids. To avoid haemorrhoids, drink lots of fluids, a diet high in fibre and try not to become constipated. An ice pack, witch-hazel or tea bags may help with the discomfort, or your LMC or GP may also prescribe cream to help with this. 

When you’re pregnant your body produces a hormone called ‘relaxin’. This can cause muscles, joints and ligaments to feel less stable. SPD can be extremely uncomfortable and may require support from a physiotherapist. Round and broad ligament pain can stab suddenly and feel frightening but will generally cause no harm. If you are worried about any pain consult your LMC. 

You may need to buy a larger bra as your pregnancy progresses, and keep trading up the sizes as your breasts grow! Underwire bras, unless specially fitted by an expert, are better worn by non-pregnant and non-lactating women. Some stores offer bra fitting services which can help you find the right bra for you. Getting good support will ease the aching.