Pregnancy is a beautiful miracle, sure, but it also comes with a couple of not-so-pleasant side effects! If you’ve recently conceived or are currently planning a family, here are some of the common symptoms to anticipate – plus some tips on how to deal with them.

Morning Sickness

Feeling nauseous in the morning is perhaps the most well-known problem for pregnant women. As I have previously written in our article on “Morning Sickness”, not uncommonly the nausea and vomiting can last all day, and sometimes into the evening and night!

There are a number of credible (and some questionable) methods for tackling morning sickness, with common strategies including:

• Drinking more water
• Trying different foods for dinner
• Eating ginger candy
• Eating smaller and more frequent meals
• Wearing comfortable clothing.

If nothing seems to work, be sure to get in touch with us. We can investigate to see what might be causing your nausea and try some medications.

Fatigue

You’re eating for 2 (although this is not quite true, as we have written in our previous blog on “Food in Pregnancy”) and carrying extra weight – you’re bound to get tired more quickly than usual! When possible, take naps during the day, but always aim to get a decent sleep at night. Try having a warm bath or getting a massage to help you relax.

Leg Cramps

It is not uncommon to get some leg cramps, and this is often worse at night.  If your thighs or calves start to cramp at night, magnesium supplements may be helpful for some women.

Backaches

Many women experience lower back pain when pregnant. To reduce this, avoid standing in the same position for long periods of time. Pelvic exercises and using a footrest while seated may also help alleviate some of the pain.  Our pregnancy physiotherapists are very experienced in dealing with back pain during pregnancy (as it is very common), and may have targeted therapies and braces to help specifically with your back pain.

If you’re experiencing significant symptoms, please call us on 1300 464 464. Helping you get through your pregnancy smoothly and safely is exactly what we’re here for!

Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.