THE PREGNANCY-RELATED COMPLAINT REFERENCE CENTER

I've created this little section from my own experiences during pregnancy.  I'll keep adding more items as I think of them.  If there is any topic that you want to see here, just e-mail me and I will research it and post it right away.

Topics are arranged in alphabetical order.

Allergies

During pregnancy, your body tends to go slightly...well...nuts.  And it's taking you along for the ride.  Sound fun?  Ah, that's why babies are so cute.  They have to be.

• Old seasonal allergies: don't be surprised if you see your usual allergies increasing in intensity or if you suddenly notice that the pollen allergy you had in childhood has come back for a visit.  Chances are these symptoms will go back to normal (for you) after delivery or within a few short weeks.  In the mean time, you'll soon be so distracted by tiny baby kicks that the allergies won't matter quite so much.
• Old food/pet/chemical allergies: so you thought you could eat tree nuts again, eh?  Not until after the baby's born, if you find your "outgrown" allergy has come back around for another shot at you.  Sensitivities tend to increase during pregnancy, likely because of the decrease in immune system functioning.  Your immune system is normally designed to reject anything that isn't 100% you.  It has to adapt to a baby that is only 50% you.  With less defenses, you're more prone to allergens attacking.  It is best to keep your diet varied and avoid trying new foods during pregnancy.  If you find yourself allergic to your cat, try shaving it.  No, I'm kidding.  See if a friend or relative might be willing to cat sit for you until the baby is born and your allergies return to normal.  Chemicals should always be avoided, and especially now that you will be more sensitive to them.
• New allergies: have you asked yourself the question, "What the heck is happening to me!?"  Within the first 8 weeks of my own pregnancy, I became allergic to shellfish and tree nuts.  By 18 weeks, I was allergic to DHA sunless tanning bronzers.  Chances are these things will resolve completely after birth, so don't be too alarmed.  However, don't go trying new things if you're finding that sensitivities are developing.  Also, you may want to try picking up a cookbook for people with food allergies if it becomes a problem.
• New seasonal allergies?  It might just be the normal congestion of pregnancy if you're waking up a little stuffy or having an occasional bloody nose.  Eye watering, excessive sneezing, itchy skin and worsening of symptoms outdoors can all be clues that you actually have developed seasonal sensitivities.  The only cure is avoiding it. 
• For SEVERE ATTACKS: If you have hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing: take Benadryl (regular strength) and head IMMEDIATELY to an emergency room.  Keep both liquid and pill Benadryl on hand.  Liquid comes in handy if your throat feels tight and may buy you some time to get help.  Rest assured that severe reactions are not very common.

Bladder Infections

More common than you think during pregnancy, and with more risks than usual.  Because of your depressed immune system, symptoms may not become apparent as quickly or they may be masked until the infection becomes rather advanced.  This is why the doctor has you peeing in those little cups once a month.  But despite doc's efforts, you may still get an infection.  If you're suddenly peeing a lot more, but only going a little bit, it may not be pregnancy doing it to you.  Achy bladder, back pain on one or both sides, pain in your urethra even while not using the toilet can all be signs that you have a bladder infection.  Bladder infections are particularly worrisome during pregnancy because of the possibility that they can spread to the kidneys.  A kidney infection, called pyelonephritis, can cause premature labor and needs to be treated quickly with antibiotics.  Most often, though, these infections are caught early, treated promptly and you get to feeling better before you even knew you were sick.

Bleeding Gums

Now here's one that might surprise you when you spit out a bunch of bloody toothpaste into the sink after brushing.  Don't be alarmed, though.  Bleeding gums are just another special pregnancy bonus that you get due to increased blood supply to every conceivable crevice in your body.  You can minimize the occurrence a bit by brushing more frequently, which toughens the gums.  You may want to brush more frequently anyway, since pregnancy can make teeth a bit more prone to cavities for some women.

Bruises

If you notice that you're bruising more easily and taking longer to heal, you're normal.  Due to a lower functioning, well, everything...you will heal slower and damage more easily than usual.  The best thing you can do for a severe bruise is keep cold compresses on it and elevate it as much as possible.  You will be fine in a few weeks, though it may stay sore for quite a while.  There should be no problems unless you notice red streaking around the bruised area.  If you do, seek medical attention immediately.  Very rarely, blood poisoning can result from a severe impact injury.

Cats

Do you need to get rid of your cats?  No.  Toxoplasmosis is certainly a concern, as it can cause fetal hydrocephalus (water in the brain) which can be devastating.  However, most people who have had cats for a while are immune to it and pass the immunity on to their babies.  Indoor cats are not too much of a worry, since this disease comes from eating rodents and other outdoor animals.  Avoiding the litter box is simple enough.  If you must change the litter yourself, use a mask for breathing and a pair of sturdy rubber gloves.  As long as you avoid contact with cat waste and the areas where it might be tracked, you shouldn't have any problem at all.  Best bet is to get someone to take charge of the litter for you, though.

Colds

You weren't feeling bad enough with the morning sickness and headaches, and now you have a cold, too?  Been there.  There isn't really much you can do about it, but there are some home remedies.

• Celestial Seasonings Herbal Soothers throat drops in Honey Lemon flavor.  These are very mild, contain no chemicals and were cleared as "completely safe" by my doctor for use during pregnancy.  Even Halls are safe, I was told.  I don't trust anything that tastes quite so chemically, though.
• My sworn-by home remedy of warm water with honey and lemon in it (1/2 tsp of each, depending on your tastes).  Don't add sugar, it irritates the throat.  The warmth and the lemon will loosen congestion and the honey soothes the throat so cough isn't as persistent.  (I even have my husband hooked on this remedy now!)
• Sleep.  Nothing helps as much as rest.  Sleep.
• Warm showers help ease congestion and aches and pains.

Constipation

This is a fun topic, eh?  But it happens to many of us.  If you find yourself sitting on the toilet, feeling like you've just crapped out a brand-new three story house...only to find something that resembles a rabbit turd where that house should be...welcome to pregnant bowels.  And, here are some remedies:

• Fiber.  Lots of fiber.  You need fiber.  Did I mention fiber?
• If it gets severe and uncomfortable, try dried apricots, prunes or prune juice.  DON'T USE LAXATIVES.  And don't go overboard on the prunes...you'll be surprised.  Really.  I won't go into details.
• Like salads?  Yeah, the fiber thing.  Beans?  Woo hoo!  Those give you the added protein benefit.
• Don't skimp on water.  Drinking 8-10 ten ounce glasses a day should help alleviate some of this problem.  Remember, you're also drinking for two!

Cramps

Nothing strikes fear into the pregnant woman quite like a case of the cramps.  However, most of the time this is absolutely normal and only means that your uterus is stretching to accommodate a growing little baby.  Doctors generally only become concerned if the cramping is severe and lasts for more than a couple of hours or if the cramping is accompanied by spotting or bleeding.  Some women will cramp throughout their entire pregnancies from time to time, others will only experience this unpleasant feeling for the first trimester.  Personally, I still find myself getting occasional cramps beyond the five month mark.  And when you think about how much room a baby makes in an organ the size of your fist, originally, it's no wonder and should help to ease your mind.  By only the fifth week of pregnancy, the uterus is already notably larger than a non-pregnant uterus.  To ease this discomfort, there are a few things you can do:

• Lay on your left side, propped comfortably.
• Use a warm water bottle on your lower back (not on your abdomen!)
• Gently massage your abdomen where the pain is.  Often this offers immediate relief.
• If the pain is very bad, most doctors say that regular strength Tylenol helps.  I personally find it completely ineffective.
• Take a warm shower and let the water fall on your tummy.  Keep the water warm, not too hot.
• Ask someone to apply counter pressure to your lower back.  This works best after about four months, but is effective very early for some women.  Counter pressure is just pressing in the middle of the lower back until pain in the belly subsides.  

Cuts

Just as with bruising, cuts will heal more slowly when you're pregnant.  Be sure to use Neosporin or some sort of antibacterial topical treatment if you get a cut to minimize the chances of infection.  Remember, you need to give your immune system a little help for the next few months.  If your cut is deep or severe, you may want to call your doctor about it.  Using antibacterial agents may not always be safe in the event of a very deep or serious cut during pregnancy.  Do be sure to flush the area with plenty of warm water and bandage it appropriately to prevent more bacteria from entering the wound.

Food Cravings

If you crave it, chances are there's something in it that you and the baby need.  Cravings for potatoes in their skins or red meat generally means you need some iron, for example.  Cravings for chocolate?  I'm not really sure, but there must be something in there, right?  Following your cravings helps to assure that you're getting what you and baby need, helps to cut down on symptoms like headaches and morning sickness and keeps your energy up.  Getting good, nutritionally rich foods will cut down on cravings for sweets, if you're finding yourself eating too many of those food items.  Cravings for junk food generally means that you need carbohydrates, which are best achieved through things like chocolate milk (so you get calcium, too), potatoes, breads, pasta and other carb-rich foods.  Don't worry, you need the energy, so it's okay to eat that stuff!

Gas

If you don't have it yet, it's coming.  How you can have contests with your significant other!  Ahem.  Okay.  But seriously, you may begin to think that you've become the World's Largest Natural Source of Gas.  While this may or may not be true, there's little you can do about it.  If it becomes painful to the point you can't stand it, regular strength Gas-X worked for me.  I only had the vicious pain one time, so, it's not so bad.  Embarrassing?  Yes.  Extra scented?  Yes.  Will it hurt the baby?  No.  Actually, babies tend to like the gurgling belly sounds.

Headaches

If you're prone to migraine, your symptoms will either notably decrease (if you're lucky) or notably increase (if you're like me).  There isn't much you can do, but I have noticed that increasing protein and avoiding getting to the point of hunger pains really reduces the incidence of headaches of all kinds.  Ironically, cheese seems to offer me relief now.  Pre-pregnancy, cheese was a migraine trigger.  Trying different things like a warm shower with the water beating down on your neck, might offer relief.  Avoid foods with preservatives, artificial sweeteners, nitrates and MSG.  Bananas may also help.

Heartburn/Indigestion

Here's a common one.  Avoiding certain foods probably won't help.  Plain white rice can set it off.  Sometimes it goes away, sometimes it doesn't.  Tums, regular strength, work wonders and are said to be quite safe.

Morning Sickness

So, you don't want to throw up, eh?  Chances are you're going to be calling Ralph on the big white phone at least a couple of times in the first trimester, due to the rising hCG and other hormone levels in your body.  However, there are some things you can do to ease your suffering.

• Make sure you keep a full belly.  Not overfilled, just comfortably full.  Getting hungry tends to increase nausea and try eating when you feel like you're going to spew any second.  It compounds the problem because you know you need food in there, but it just seems impossible when you feel so ill!  Eating small, frequent meals helps considerably.  I always keep popcorn, cheese crackers with peanut butter, granola bars or any other semi-healthy snack item that travels easily.  Ignore the crap about Saltine crackers, they suck unless you're a parrot.
• Follow your cravings.  Nothing will help you get through morning sickness like following what your belly wants.  Remember, there's a baby in there and he or she might needs things that you normally wouldn't or could simply go without.  I craved potatoes in their skins and red meat, something I usually never ate.  Giving in to the craving nearly eliminated my morning sickness...and gave baby the protein and iron she needed.  Generally, when you crave something like that (especially when it's not your typical food fare) there's something in it that the baby needs.
• Try Sea Bands.  They're just little elastic bands with pressure point dots in them that are supposed to quiet the vomit center in your body.  They don't completely eliminate the problem, but they do help many people considerably.
• Don't eat and drink at the same time.  Getting through the first trimester (at least) may require you to hold off drinking until an hour after you've eaten.  The mixing of food and fluids can often lead to feeling over-full and can make those dry heaves turn into projectile vomiting before you can blink.
• If you have a history of bulimia, avoid "trigger foods".  Let's face it, some things just come up better than others, particularly ice cream.  Avoid it during the morning sickness stages because there's nothing quite more disgusting that ice cream coming through your nose.  If there are certain foods that your body seems to "know how" to get rid of, avoid them.  Concerns about pregnancy weight might tempt you, but rest assured that the baby needs everything.  Even if you're not hungry, he or she probably is.  While it is true that maternal "fat stores" and nutritional reserves can help sustain a pregnancy, they can't sustain it completely.  And the good news is this: postpartum is the only time in a woman's life when she can actually lose fat cells.  During normal dieting, they just shrink and require much effort to do even that.
• Honey and lemon water.  This stuff is your great great grandmother's recipe for what ails you, but it's tried, tested and truly works.  If you're not feeling up to putting food in your belly quit yet in the morning, a cup of warm (or hot, if you prefer) honey and lemon water can really ease the morning sickness.  In a 6 oz coffee cup, add 1/2 teaspoon of Real Lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of honey.  Add after heating the water to desired temperature.  The heat really calms the tummy.
• If all else fails and you're really sick: make sure you talk to your doctor SOON about a condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  It is fairly uncommon in pregnancy, but some women do get it.  If you are unable to keep any food or fluids down for more than a few hours and this has happened more than twice, your doctor may be able to prescribe anti-emetic medication to you to save your health and the baby's.  If possible, do try to avoid morning sickness medication.  If you have Hyperemesis, however, do everything you can to help yourself. 

Rashes

The most common rash in pregnancy is probably Prickly Heat.  It is caused by exposure to heat, humidity and/or direct sunlight.  Sunscreens may or may not help.  PUPPP is another type of rash that can develop during pregnancy.  Not dangerous to mother or baby, PUPPP tends to itch and does not generally subside until birth.  If you have any rash, call your doctor about it, just to be safe.  If the rash looks like raised, flat-topped welts that are spreading and growing, go to a hospital or emergency center, as it may indicate hives.  Hives are an allergic reaction and you may have developed a sensitivity to something you weren't originally allergic to.  If you've had hives before and you know why you have them, treat them accordingly but keep an eye on them.  If you already know what the rash is:

• Prickly Heat or Heat Rash: get out of sunlight and humidity into a cool, dry environment.  Take a cool shower with soap to help open the pores and allow sweat to come through.  Do not use lotions or creams on the area, but use cornstarch powder to help draw out the irritant and keep the skin from becoming too moist.  Avoid heat and sun for several days, if possible.  Use sunscreens of 15 SPF of higher during subsequent sun exposures.
• PUPPP: you'll need to see your doctor to determine if you have this rash, but generally it is treated much like a heat rash.  Cortisone shots or ointments may be prescribed.
• Hives: Hives should be treated with regular strength Benadryl, cool compresses and perhaps a topical ointment safe for use during pregnancy.  If hives are subsiding on their own with home treatment, you should be fine, but be watchful for recurrences.  If hives are spreading and getting worse, seek medical attention right away.  Try to have a list of anything new that you were exposed to (i.e. lotions, beauty products, tanning lotions or sunscreens, fabric detergents or softeners, foods, spices, plants, insects, medications, etc.).  You may have to exclude possible allergens and slowly reintroduce items until you find the culprit.
• Fifth Disease: chances are that you became immune to this during childhood and never even knew you had it.  It's rare for pregnant women to contract the disease and even then, it is usually asymptomatic.  For those who do develop symptoms, it may present in a rash that looks like red acne all over the trunk and/or neck.  It can extend to the upper thigh and upper arms.  The rash generally does not itch, and classic symptoms include an appearance of red cheeks that look as if they've been slapped.  The rash appears after several days of flu-like symptoms, and is usually accompanied by severe, persistent headaches which can last up to two weeks.  Headaches can be as severe as migraines.  The rash itself usually disappears after about 24 hours, recurring in a pattern that resembles pink lace over the skin whenever the skin is exposed to heat from sunlight, hot showers, campfires, or other heat sources.  Small spots that look like pimples may also appear with sun or heat exposure.  These recurring rashes can last up to 6 weeks.  The primary risk to the fetus is in the first trimester, and up until 20 weeks there is an increased (2%-5%) risk of miscarriage.  After 20 weeks, it doesn't appear that Fifth Disease is much of a danger to the fetus.  Fifth Disease is not dangerous for children or adults, just irritating.  You are more likely to develop Fifth Disease if: you never had it as a child, you work with children frequently, your immune system is compromised by a simultaneous infection (i.e. anything from bladder infections to throat infections).  To avoid Fifth Disease, avoid children displaying flu-like symptoms (this is the short but very contagious period of the disease), wash hands after using public facilities and keep other infections to a minimum.  Rest assured that your chances of getting Fifth Disease while pregnant are slim.  50% of people are already immune by age 15, and the majority of older adults (some 90%) become immune after age 15.  Your chances of (a) not being immune and (b) actually being vulnerable and contracting it during those short 9 months are extremely slight.

Sleeping Comfortably: Mission Impossible?

No, it isn't impossible, though it may feel like it until you get yourself into your own pregnant groove.  Literally.  With a wide range of novel ideas out there, from body pillows to moon-shaped devices to sleep on or with, there are abundant options.  I find (after month four) that a sturdy but soft pillow between the knees, two smaller ones under my head and a throw pillow under my arm does the trick.  It balances the body out perfectly.  Avoid back lying positions, though, which may significantly decrease circulation and blood pressure.  The baby, while you lie on your back, rests on a main artery in your abdominal cavity.  Adding a pillow or two behind you is not a bad idea and does offer additional supportive comfort.

Stomach Aches

It hurts and you're not sure why, right?  It's a number of possibilities.  For one thing, your intestines are relaxed and not getting things moving along as quickly as usual, which can lead to gas and constipation and all sorts of combinations of the two and a few other things in between.  Sounds fun, huh?  Heh.  Usually fixing this one is simple, just move around a lot.  Even if you're just squirming in a chair whimpering (though taking a walk is preferable).  It helps to move.

Vaginal Infections

Yep, they're common during pregnancy.  Due to the changes of hormonal balance in your body, the normal bacteria counts and pH in the vagina can change enough that yeast or bacteria can form or grow more easily.  Here are the most common vaginal infections during pregnancy and what you can or should do about them:

• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): The most common symptoms of BV are excessive whitish or gray discharge and/or a strong odor to the discharge.  However, many cases of BV are completely symptomless and are found only after examination or in urine cultures.  This is the most common type of vaginal infection among women of childbearing age and is very treatable.  During pregnancy, however, treatment should begin quickly with antibiotic medication to reduce the risks of premature labor or an infection of the amniotic fluid.  This is rare, but if the infection is left untreated for a great duration, it is possible for complications to develop.  Medications commonly prescribed for BV are quite safe for pregnant women and once they've begun, the risk of any complications from BV is virtually zero.  In other words, once you've been diagnosed and begun treating it, you're out of the woods.
• Yeast Infections: Yeast infections are also quite common during pregnancy because of changes in pH in the vagina.  Easy enough to treat, doctors will usually prescribe over-the-counter remedies such as Monistat-7.  Using higher dosages, such as Monistat-3 or Monistat-1 is not recommended.  Longer term, lower dosages of medicine is preferable, not only for safety but for prevention of recurrence.  Yeast infections and the treatments for them are not known to cause harm to an unborn baby.  Be sure to ask your doctor, though, before beginning any treatments, as all doctors offer their own advices on infections.  Also, they may want to rule out possible BV, which can feel much like a yeast infection.  Treatment for BV is much different than treatment for yeast infections.

Weakness

If you're experiencing weakness and severe fatigue, you may be anemic.  Try eating iron-rich foods to combat this problem before it even begins.  You may want to keep a list of foods you should eat daily (I tend to forget, sometimes) to help you avoid problems altogether with nutritional deficiency.  If your weakness is severe and accompanied by cramps in the muscles (particularly the legs and arms) call your doctor that day.