Common Discomforts of Pregnancy

Common Discomforts of Pregnancy


Pregnancy brings many changes to your body, and each pregnancy is different. Use these tips to help you feel great and reduce discomfort throughout your pregnancy. 

Nausea or heartburn

  • Keep something in your stomach.
    • Eat crackers, toast, or dry cereal before getting out of bed in the morning or whenever you feel sick.
    • Eat 5 to 6 small meals during the day instead of 3 larger ones. 
  • Avoid eating greasy, spicy, or fried foods.
  • Avoid high fat or fried foods. Broil or bake meats.
  • Eat more protein.
  • Drink fluids low in acid, such as water. 
  • Drink between meals, not at meals.
  • Sip clear liquids if you are vomiting. When vomiting occurs, take sips of clear liquids only. Some examples of clear liquids are Jell-O, clear soft drinks (7-UP) sports drinks, tea, and broth. As the nausea passes, increase the amount of liquids to ½ cup every hour. Stay hydrated.  
  • Avoid food smells that make nausea worse.
  • Take more rest periods or naps. 
  • Use an extra pillow for your head when sleeping, and wait at least 90 minutes before lying down after eating.
  • If you vomit or have heartburn, rinse your mouth with 1 cup of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Drink fluids low in acid, such as water.
  • Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes.
  • Avoid bending over at the waist. Use your legs and do squats instead.

Constipation or hemorrhoids

  • Drink 6 to 8 cups of liquid each day. Choose water, juices, and milk.
  • Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high-fiber cereal, popcorn, and beans like pinto, black, and garbanzo beans.
  • Walk or do light exercise each day as you are able.
  • Avoid using laxatives or enemas. 
  • Avoid straining or pushing when having a bowel movement.

Urinating often or leakage

  • Drink less fluid 2 hours before bedtime.
  • Use the bathroom often.
  • Do Kegel exercises. Kegels are done by squeezing the muscles around the vagina, urethra, and rectum, and holding them for 3 to 5 seconds. Slowly increase holding to 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Do Kegels at least 3 times each day. 
  • Avoid caffeine in coffee, tea, sodas, sport drinks, and energy drinks. 

If you have a burning feeling when you urinate, call your health care provider.

Swelling of hands and feet

  • Wear supportive shoes. 
  • Prop your feet up when sitting or lying down.
  • Add protein to your diet, such as eggs, beans, tofu, meat, and yogurt.
  • Avoid standing for long periods of time.

If your hands and feet swell again and these things do not help, call your health care provider.

Leg cramps

  • If you have a leg cramp, work to straighten your leg. Alternate flexing and relaxing your foot. 
  • Stretch your calf muscles during the day.
  • Do low to moderate exercise as directed by your provider.
  • Add calcium to your diet, such as dairy, leafy greens, and calcium-fortified juice. 
  • Avoid crossing your legs or sitting in a position that reduces blood flow. 

Breast tenderness

  • Wear a support bra that is not too tight.
  • Wear a bra to bed at night.

Low back pain

  • Use a side-lying position with pillows between the knees, behind the back, and under the abdomen to give you support.
  • Rest on a supportive mattress.
  • Wear low-heeled or athletic shoes.
  • Sit up straight and avoid slouching. 
  • Change positions often, whether sitting, standing, or lying down. 
  • Get physical activity to build muscle strength. 
  • Use your legs and squat to pick up objects. Do not bend over. 
  • Use massage, take a warm shower, or apply ice for 15 minutes at a time (then remove) to help with low back pain. 
  • Avoid over the counter medicines until you talk with your provider. 

If your pain is constant and has not gone away after trying these things, call your provider.

Trouble sleeping

  • Turn off your smart phone, TV, and tablet at least 1 or more hours before bedtime. The light from these devices can make it harder to go to sleep.
  • Exercise earlier in the day. Late day exercise can wake up your body. 
  • Use relaxation, meditation, and other strategies to get ready for sleep. 
  • Use pillows to cradle your body.
  • Avoid caffeine in coffee, tea, sodas, sport drinks, and energy drinks, especially after 2 p.m.

Feeling dizzy or light-headed

  • Eat 5 to 6 small meals every 2 to 3 hours, so you are not hungry.
  • Drink 10, 8-ounce cups of fluid each day.
  • Lie down on your left side. 
  • Change positions slowly, such as from lying to sitting, or sitting to standing.
  • Sit down to do tasks instead of standing.
  • Avoid being in temperature extremes, such as too much sun, cold, and heat. 

Tell your provider if feeling light-headed does not improve. 

Nosebleeds

  • Nosebleeds are more common during pregnancy. To stop a nosebleed:
  • Squeeze your nose gently between your thumb and forefinger for a few minutes. 
  • Tilt your head forward to avoid swallowing the blood and breathe through your mouth until the bleeding stops. 

Contact your provider if your bleeding is severe or does not improve.

Skin issues

  • Itching is more common on the hands, feet, and abdomen as skin stretches for baby’s growth. Use gentle soaps for cleaning, hand washing, and laundry. Take warm, not hot, showers. 
  • You may notice brown patches on your face, darkening of the skin around your nipples, a dark line on your abdomen, and stretch marks. These are all common due to hormone changes. 
  • Use sunscreen to protect your skin.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins look swollen, raised, or bulging.

  • Keep feet slightly raised when sitting and avoid standing for long periods of time. 
  • Avoid tight-fitting clothing.
  • Avoid crossing your legs.
     

© 2014 – January 27, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.