Common symptoms during pregnancy

Question 1

N & V is common during pregnancy, what adivce should be given to them ?

Answer 1

It will usually resolve by weeks 16-20 and is not associated with worse outcomes

Question 2

For women wishing to receive treatment for N & V during pregnancy what are the options ?

Answer 2

natural remedies - ginger and acupuncture on the ‘p6’ point (by the wrist) are recommended by NICE

antihistamines should be used first-line (BNF suggests promethazine as first-line)

Question 3

What is the treatment of pregnancy associated dyspepsia ?

Answer 3

1st line = self-care and lifestyle management (smaller meals, raising head of bed etc)

2nd line = antacid or alginate

3rd line = ranitidine or omeprazole

Question 4

What is the treatment of haemorrhoids in pregnancy ?

Answer 4

In the absence of evidence of the effectiveness of treatments for haemorrhoids in pregnancy,
women should be offered information concerning diet modification.

If clinical symptoms remain
troublesome, standard haemorrhoid creams should be considered.

Question 5

What is the treatment of varicose veins in pregnancy ?

Answer 5

varicose veins are a common symptom of pregnancy that will not cause harm and that compression stockings can improve the symptoms but will not prevent
varicose veins from emerging.

Question 6

vaginal discharge is a common physiological

change that occurs during pregnancy, when should investigation be considered into it ?

Answer 6

If it is associated with itch, soreness, offensive smell or

pain on passing urine there may be an infective cause and investigation should be considered.

Question 7

What can be done to help ease backache during pregnancy ?

Answer 7

Exercising in water, massage therapy and group or individual back care classes might help to ease backache during pregnancy.