Your Childrens Health

Pregnancy can be a pain…literally! There are many ordinary discomforts that can be relived with a few simple techniques.

*Backache-As your center of gravity changes and you start to gain weight, your back may begin to bear the brunt of the work. To help reduce your back pain, take your mother’s advice about your posture. Sit and stand with your head up and shoulders held back. You shouldn’t be doing any heavy lifting, but if you need to pick something up from the floor bend at the knees and keep your back straight. Sitting in a tub of warm water can relax your back muscles after a long day, or if he’s willing, have your husband give you a backrub.

*Headaches-These can be caused by some combination of the following: an increase in hormones in your blood, tiredness and/or stress. To prevent headaches, never go too long without a meal. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day will keep your blood sugar up. Avoid eyestrain, bright lights and cigarette smoke (which you should be avoiding anyway). Try to get enough rest by taking naps during the day if you can. Also, make sure to sleep at least 8 hours a night.

When you do have a headache, instead of reaching for drugs that could be potentially dangerous to your baby, find a quiet place to relax. A cool, damp cloth on your face and the back of your neck can help reduce the pain. You can also massage your forehead and shoulders. If you have the means, a warm bath will also help headaches.

*Breast tenderness-Your increasing bosom may become tender and more sensitive throughout your pregnancy. Wearing a well-fitting bra, both day and night, can help. Some women find sports bras serve this purpose very nicely.

*Leg cramps-As the months pass and your baby grows there is less blood flow to your legs. Leg cramps are a common result. A lack of calcium, reduced exercise and tiredness can also contribute to leg cramps. Make sure to incorporate enough calcium in your diet with a variety of dairy products. You should also do some form of exercise everyday. Avoid pointing your toes when you sleep at night, or when sitting at a desk or table. Keeping your legs warm can also help avoid cramps.

When you experience a cramp, pull your toes upward, and stretch the calf muscle. You can also stand on the cramped leg and bend your knee while keeping your heel on the floor. Any residual pain can be lessened with a warm bath or heating pad.

Related:

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 16th, 2006 at 7:53 am and is filed under Pregnancy and Newborns, Medical Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.