Common Pregnancy Discomforts: 1st Trimester

Below is a list of Common Pregnancy Discomforts you may experience during your pregnancy, especially during your 1st trimester. If you experience any of these, we have offered some suggestions for relief of the discomfort.

Faintness and Dizziness

Blood vessels and blood pressure react differently during pregnancy, and this can cause you to feel faint or dizzy, often suddenly. Dehydration and low blood sugar seem to make the symptoms worse, and should be avoided. Being extra warm, standing for long periods of time, and getting up quickly can all increase the problem, too. Since anemia can also contribute, please let us know if the symptoms persist or are severe so that we can check your hemoglobin at the office.

Headaches

Headaches in pregnancy are quite common, due to many factors. They can occur at any time during the gestation, but are especially prevalent during the thirteenth through nineteenth weeks of pregnancy.
To help decrease headaches, avoid going long periods without eating, dehydration, excessive caffeine, noxious fumes, etc. Analgesics such as Tylenol may be used, but don’t forget simple measures such as cool compresses to the forehead, or resting in a quiet, dark room. Relaxation techniques such as warm baths, walks in the fresh air, breathing exercises and massages may be helpful. If you are also experiencing sinus pressure, a decongestant such as Sudafed may be tried. If there is green or yellow nasal discharge in addition, and this is persistent, call the office. If the headache is accompanied by visual changes or neurologic symptoms such as numbness or weakness, please call.

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting are very common complaints in early pregnancy, and are related to many factors. They usually improve by the sixteenth week or so. Because low blood sugar levels can add to their severity, it’s wise to eat frequent small meals, and even to have a snack when (not if) you get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Avoid greasy, high-fat foods and foods with strong odors. Prenatal vitamins sometimes add to the problem, and if so, please discontinue them until you are feeling better, or substitute several chewable Flinstones or equivalent while you are most nauseated.

To avoid gastric reflux, which is increased in pregnancy, and which causes heartburn, avoid lying down immediately after eating. To decrease the gag reflex, do not brush teeth immediately after eating.

Most pregnant women are appropriately concerned that they eat properly. However, if you are having significant nausea and vomiting, this may be difficult. It is far more important that you eat something than that it be absolutely nutritious. If you can’t keep anything down, your body begins to break itself down to furnish energy. On the other hand, if you can supply outside energy in almost any form, this breakdown can be prevented. Therefore, even food that might be considered less than perfect is much better than throwing up a balanced meal. During the difficult weeks, please eat whatever appeals to you and can stay down.