Common Discomforts During Pregnancy Flashcards
Nausea and vomiting
a. also known as?
b. During what trimester?
c. Cause/s
a. morning sickness
b. 1st trimester
c. due to increasing levels of HCG and progesterone
Nausea and vomiting management (diet)
- eat crackers or dry toast one half to 1 hr before rising in the morning to relieve discomfort.
- avoid an empty stomach, spicy, greasy, or gas-forming foods.
- drink fluids between meal
Breast tenderness
a. During what trimester?
b. Cause/s
a. 1st trimester
b. due to increasing levels of estrogen and beginning of milk production
Breast tenderness management
- Wear a bra that provides adequate support.
- Apply warm compress.
- Express milk if possible.
Urinary Frequency
a. During what trimesters?
b. Cause/s
a. 1st and 3rd trimesters
b. due to increasing and decreasing level of the gravid uterus compressing the urinary bladder
Urinary Frequency Management
- empty her bladder frequently
- Limit fluid intake before bedtime
- Wear perineal pads.
- Perform Kegel exercises to reduce stress incontinence.
UTI
a. During what trimesters?
b. Cause/s
a. common all throughout during pregnancy
b. due to renal changes and the vaginal flora becoming more alkaline.
UTI Management (hygiene and clothing)
- wipe the perineal area from front to back after voiding
- use soft, absorbent, white, unscented toilet tissue.
- Avoid bubble baths.
- Wearing cotton underpants.
- Avoiding tight-fitting pants;
- Urinate before and after intercourse to flush bacteria from the urethra.
UTI Management (diet and s/sx to report)
- Consuming plenty of water.
- Yogurt and acidophilus milk acidify the pH of urine and the vaginal flora.
- Cranberry juice lowers the pH of urine and aids in UTI prevention or treatment.
- Notify primary care provider if urine is malodorous or contains blood or pus.
Fatigue
a. During what trimesters?
b. Cause/s
a. 1st and 3rd trimesters
b. due to hormonal changes and increased level of metabolism
Fatigue Management
- engage in frequent rest periods.
- adequate nutrition for energy sources.
Heartburn
a. also known as?
b. During what trimesters?
c. Cause/s
a. Pyrosis
b. 2nd and 3rd trimesters
c. due to the stomach displacement by the enlarging uterus and a slowing of the gastrointestinal tract motility and digestion brought about by increased progesterone levels.
Heartburn Management
- eat small frequent meals.
- Not allow the stomach to get too empty or too full
- Sit up for 30 min after meals.
- Check with her primary care provider prior to using any over-the-counter antacids.
Constipation
a. During what trimesters?
b. Cause/s
a. 2nd and 3rd trimester
b. due to relaxation of abdominal muscles because of increased levels of progesterone slowing down peristalsis
Constipation Management
- drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat a diet high in fiber
- exercise regularly
Hemorrhoids
a. During what trimesters?
b. Cause/s
a. 2nd and 3rd trimesters
b. due to prolapse of rectal muscle/tissue due to pressure of gravid uterus
Hemorrhoids Management (relief of discomfort)
- A warm sitz bath or witch hazel pads applied to the area will help relieve discomfort.
Backaches
a. During what trimesters?
b. Cause/s
a. 2nd and 3rd trimester
b. due to weight of gravid uterus and increased level of progesterone
Kegel exercises
a. Purpose
b. How does it work?
a. to reduce stress incontinence; to address urinary frequency
b. alternate tightening and relaxation of pubococcygeal muscles
Pelvic tilt exercises
a. Purpose
b. How does it work?
a. For backaches
b. alternately arching and straightening the back
Backaches Management (physical aspect)
- exercise regularly
- pelvic tilt exercises
- Utilize proper body mechanics using the legs to lift rather than the back
- Maintain good posture
- Lie with legs slightly elevated.
Shortness of breath & Dyspnea
a. % off pregnant women who experience this
b. During what trimester?
c. Cause/s
a. occur in 60% of pregnant women on the…
b. 3rd trimester
c. related to the diaphragm being elevated about 4 cm by the enlarging of the uterus. This limits diaphragm expansion on inspiration.
Shortness of breath & Dyspnea Management
- maintain good posture.
- Sleep with extra pillows
- Avoid overloading the stomach.
Leg cramps
a. During what trimester?
b. Cause/s
a. 3rd trimester
b. due to the compression of lower extremity nerves and blood vessels by the enlarging uterus. This can result in poor peripheral circulation as well as an imbalance in the calcium/ phosphorus ratio.
Leg cramps Management
- Check Homan’s sign
- Evaluate diay and calcium intake.
- The client can hold onto the back of a chair and lean forward with one leg in front and one leg behind.
Homan’s sign
a. Procedure
b. Meaning of findings (positive /negative)
a. Have the client extend the leg keeping the knee straight and dorsiflexing the foot (toes toward head).
b. Positive = presence of calf pain; deep venous thrombosis off the leg
Negative = normal; no suspected thrombosis
Varicose veins & Lower extremity edema
a. During what trimesters?
b. Cause/s
a. 2nd and 3rd trimesters
b. due to sluggish venous return since blood is more viscous due to high levels of hormones and fibrinogen
Varicose veins & Lower extremity edema Management
- Rest with her legs elevated.
- Avoid constricting clothing, wear support hose.
- Avoid sitting or standing in one position for extended periods of time, and not sit with her legs crossed at the knees.
- Drink adequate fluids for the natural diuretic effect
- Exercise moderately with frequent walking to stimulate venous return.
