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Health During Pregnancy – Problems & Care (Part 1)

By Super

Pregnant Woman
The moment a woman realises that she is going to have a baby her happiness is immense. Every day she prepares for the arrival of her precious bundle of joy. However, taking good prenatal care and knowledge of health care during pregnancy is very important.

Some pregnancy health problems might relate to some issues that you already have, or might occur only during pregnancy. Whatever is the case, make sure you talk to your doctor, if you notice any unusual health problems during pregnancy.

Let's have a look at some common health problems, causes and how to take care during pregnancy. Proper health care during pregnancy is essential for a safe childbirth.

1.Deep Vein Thrombosis: DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition that develops due to formation of blood clots. These clots may appear on the leg or in the pelvic region. Usually having twins, or being overweight, or smoking cigarettes causes this condition. Traveling long distances during pregnancy is another reason for DVT. Pain, swelling, redness and inflammation are some of the symptoms of DVT. If the blood clot travels to the lungs, it can be very fatal.

One form of treatment includes taking heparin injections, which helps dissolve the blood clot. Staying active during pregnancy will avoid this condition.

2.Piles: Haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, is a common health problem during pregnancy. A person affect by piles will have swollen veins in the anus region, which might cause pain, itching or bleeding. Pregnant women are more prone to this, due to hormonal changes. Usually this condition goes away after childbirth.

Including a lot of fibrous food in your daily diet, can help reduce occurrence of piles. Exercise regularly to avoid this problem. Consult your doctor for medication, in case the condition is very bad.

3.Severe Itching: This condition is also called as obstetric cholestasis, a very serious liver disorder. If you experience severe itching, specially on the hands and feet, with or without the occurrence of rashes, you have to take caution. Jaundice is also an indicator. Negative effects of this problem include diseases in your baby, stillbirth or premature delivery.

4.Pelvic Joint Pain: This happens due to stiffness in the pelvic joints, and might hurt when climbing stairs or walking. Seeking the help of a physiotherapist will prevent the pain from affecting you in the long run.

5.Nose Bleeds: This is a very common pregnant women problem. This can happen due to hormonal changes. Though the bleeding does not happen for a long time, it can be heavy. If the loss of blood is too much it calls for medical attention.

A simple,yet effective to stop nose bleeding: Put your head forward, press below the bony part of your nose with your thumb and forefinger. Do this for 10 minutes, without swallowing the blood. If the bleeding doesn't stop, repeat for 10 more minutes. Else, seek medical assistance.

6.Incontinence: This is a condition where pregnant women cannot control the urge to pass urine or cannot control bowel movement. This happens because the pelvic floor muscles relax to help in childbirth. Simple pelvic floor exercises help reduce this problem.

7.Passing Urine Frequently: This is a usual health problem during pregnancy. This might start during the early stages of pregnancy and last through the entire gestational period. One easy way to avoid this is to reduce the intake of caffeine drinks and drinking lesser water during the evenings. If you experience pain while passing urine, then get yourself checked for urine infection.

These are some of the problems that pregnant women face. Proper prenatal care can help reduce the occurrence of these health problems during pregnancy.

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Story first published: Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 9:35 [IST]