| Being pregnant should be one of the happiest times of | | | | and forward, greater stresses are placed on your |
| your life with all the expectations and dreams for the | | | | spine. An increase in the hollow at the base of the |
| future. However, there are a number of some | | | | spine as the baby develops also causes problems. Try |
| symptoms of pregnancy that can make this time quite | | | | avoid lifting heavy weights during pregnancy, and also |
| uncomfortable. Here are a few of the more common: | | | | make sure you have good support from your |
| Morning sickness affects up to 70% of pregnant | | | | mattress. You can buy a support belt that lifts the |
| women. This includes nausea, and sometimes vomiting, | | | | abdomen and encourages better posture. These belts |
| especially in the morning (hence its name). You might | | | | are safe, and can eliminate back pain. |
| go off certain foods because the smell makes you | | | | Another common problem is fatigue. Its not surprising |
| feel queasy. The exact cause of morning sickness is | | | | really considering the enormous stress you are putting |
| unknown, but it is thought to be hormonal in nature. The | | | | on your circulatory system to ensure your developing |
| good news is that the symptoms tend to disappear | | | | baby gets the nutrients it needs to grow. The best |
| after the first three months. | | | | advice for fatigue is to get plenty of rest. Take naps, |
| Up to 50% of pregnant women will suffer from | | | | and go to bed early. |
| constipation. Increases in the level of progesterone, plus | | | | Another problem affecting over 50% of pregnant |
| increased absorption of water in the colon are to | | | | women is heartburn. This is caused by acid in your |
| blame for this. Again this problem is more likely to | | | | stomach travelling back up your oesophagus (the tube |
| occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy, though | | | | connecting your mouth to your stomach). Although |
| constipation can be a problem at any time. You doctor | | | | hormones can cause heartburn, as pregnancy |
| will likely supply you with fibre supplements, but | | | | develops, your uterus enlarges and pushes your |
| consider taking a mild laxative like milk of magnesia | | | | stomach out of position. This is then thought to |
| (consult your doctor first about this). Also, it is advisable | | | | contribute to heartburn. The best advice to help with |
| to drink plenty of fluids, as this will help alleviate the | | | | this problem is eat smaller meals more often (so your |
| constipation. | | | | stomach is never really full), and drink plenty of fluids. |
| Backache is obviously going to be a major problem. | | | | Also avoid coffee. |
| With a developing baby pushing your abdomen out, | | | | |