Common Pregnancy Concerns Flashcards
SCIATICA
Symptoms
Why
Advice
Lower back/shooting pains
Postural changes due to load/weight gain/relaxin
Physio referral/sleeping position/gentle exercise
Bleeding gums
Symptoms
Why
Advice
Bleeding gums
Oestrogen/swelling of gums so bleed more easily
Dental appt (FW8) good oral hygiene
Urine infection
Symptoms
Why
Advice
Burning/smell
Compression due to expansion of uterus
Progesterone relaxing smooth muscles/reduce bladder tone- feel urge to urinate later
More susceptible to infection
Advice - screen but also sample for analysis. GP for antibiotics
Cotton underwear/wiping/vit c/ increase water intake
Constipation
Symptoms
Why
Advice
Hard to pass stools
Increase in progesterone and decrease in motilin, slows down digestive process and so more water absorbed. Preg iron supplements can have additional effect
Advice - increase fibre and water, gentle activity.
If prolonged or rectal bleeding then further advice
Varicose vein
S: dull ache in calf, protruding vein
Why? Progesterone relaxes blood vessel wall and decreases valve function; increased blood volume; pressure from baby on blood vessels in pelvis; change of blood flow in pelvic region/legs;
Advice: support stocking, gentle exercise, elevate leg, avoid standing too long, limit na, keep legs uncrossed
Heart burn/acid reflux
S: burning in throat; gets worse lying down.
Why? Progesterone relaxing oesophageal sphincter, slowed peristaltic activity, growing uterus causing pressure.
Advice: avoid fatty foods, avoid caffeine/chocolate/alcohol as reduce muscle tone ; small amounts regularly; upright at night; avoid bending straight after eating; limit food uptake with meals ; if no changes the consider antacids but aware these may effect absorption of any supplements/vitamins etc
Pelvic floor
S: leaking urine when sneeze/laugh
Why: Progesterone relaxing pelvic floor muscles and pressure from growing uterus on pelvic floor
Advice: pelvic floor exercise and physio
Haemorrhoids
S: Pain around anus, blood when wiping, can be itchy
Why: same as varicose veins - progesterone/back flow veins with additional pressure if constipated.
Advice : As for constipation, plus warm bath/ ice pack can ease. Creams
Nausea and vomiting
Change in hormones - HCG but also effects of oestrogen and progesterone. Majority feel better after first trimester
Advice - dietary remedies (ginger, B6, hydrated, eat little and often); wrist acupuncture, gentle exercise
How to optimise iron intake in pregnancy as a vegan
Why: physiological anaemia due to increase in blood volume which lowers percentage of RBC (not actual numbers…..)
Iron requirement is 3 x higher (30 mg)
Aid iron absorption by increasing vitamin c intake
Avoid caffeine with meal (inhibits absorption)
Leafy greens, soya, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, apricots, fortified cereal
Pain in hips (PGP)
Relaxin on pubic symphisis
Advice - physio, assess pain level, gentle exercise, sleeping position, careful with posture and getting out of car etc
Carpal tunnel syndrome
S: pain/numbness in hands, pins and needles, worse in morning
Why? Increase in blood volume, increase in relaxin, increase in swelling , pressure on nerve.
Advice: physio/ splint/elevate/ sleeping position /exercise
Will ease post part with reduction in fluid retention
