ANAEMIA ; A pregnant woman may become anaemic. This is because of an increase in the total volume of blood which occurs in pregnancy. The answer to this is for the expectant mother to take iron tablets daily, eat a good diet and take an anemia preventing vitamin called folic acid.
ANTENATAL DEPRESSION ; Some women get depressed during pregnancy especially those with first pregnancies. These ones are also more likely to develop depression after the birth of their baby. They should seek help from caring health professsionals rather than trying to cope alone.
BACKACHE; In pregnancy, the pelvic joints and ligaments relax.The growing weight of the baby and the relaxed ligaments both combine to give the expectant mother backache. The backache increases during the day and is felt most towards evening and at night when it may prevent sleep. Treatment is to prevent the condition from becoming worse. She should improve on her posture, avoid high heeled shoes and also see her doctor to prescribe analgestics
BATHING; It is safer for a a pregnant woman in the last four weeks of pregnancy to take her birth in a shower rather than the tub because the water may enter the vagina.Swimming in a pool is also safe and relaxing.
BODY IMAGE; Some people find pregnancy uncomfortable because their body has become fat and flabby. Her partner should show her through his behaviour that his feelings towards her has not changed. He can do this by cuddling her and sharing the pregnancy with her.
BREASTS; A woman should care for her breasts during pregnancy in order to establish breast feeding after delivery. Bland lanolin ointment should be rubbed on dry nipples. The nipples should be drawn out to keep the ducts of the breast open.
BREATHLESSNESS; Most expecting mothers feel breathless on exertion. It is helpful to know that this is common among pregnant women and not a disease.
CLOTHING; Pregnant women should always where clothes they are comfortable in. The watchword should be anything that fits and makes her feel good about herself and her pregnancy. Her bra too should be well fitting. When she is at home or working, she should wear low healed shoes.
CONSTIPATION ; The muscle tone of the gut is lowered through out pregnancy which leads to constipation. In late pregnancy, this gets worsened by pressure on the lower bowel by the enlarged uterus. The pregnant woman should increase her fluid intake and try to open her bowels regularly after a meal. Wholemeal bread should also be eaten instead of white bread. This makes the stool bulkier and reduces the time it takes for food to pass from the mouth to the time it is passed out as stool. This goes a long way to reduce constipation.
DENTAL CARE; Care of the teeth does not differ during pregnancy from other times. A tablet per day of fluoride taken from the second trimester of pregnancy will protect the mother and baby.
DOUCHING ; Vaginal douching during pregnancy is unnecessary as the vagina is self cleansing. It could also pose a danger to the pregnant woman.
DRUGS IN PREGNANCY ; Pregnant mothers should not take any drugs until they have seen their doctor who will check her and prescribe only the drugs she really needs.
EMPLOYMENT ; Provided the expectant mother enjoys her job and it is not stressful, she may continue working during pregnancy.
EXERCISE ; Exercise may be continued during pregnancy. These must be those ones that she enjoys and which does not pose a strain to the pregnancy.
FAINTING ; Fainting attacks, palpitations and headaches occassionally occur in pregnancy. This is due to the alteration in the expectant mother's circulatory system. The expectant mother should take frequent short rests.
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