here - Health Promotion Agency

Problems
It might be more comfortable
to lie on one side with a
pillow under your tummy and
another between your knees.
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IF YOU AREN’T
SLEEPING WELL
• Try not to let it bother
you. Don’t worry that it
will harm your baby – it
won’t.
•
It might be more
comfortable to lie on
one side with a pillow
under your tummy and
another between your
knees.
• Relaxation techniques
may help. Your antenatal
class (see pages 64–5)
may teach relaxation
techniques, or you could
borrow a cassette from
your library.
•
A warm, milky drink, a
warm bath, some gentle
exercise or some restful
music before bedtime may
help.
• A rest during the day
can help you to feel
less tired.
•
Talk to your partner,
a friend, doctor or
midwife.
SLEEPLESSNESS
Late in pregnancy it can be very
difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
You’re uncomfortable lying down,
or just when you’re beginning to get
comfortable, you have to get up to
go to the toilet. Some women have
strange dreams or nightmares about
the baby and about the birth. Talking
about them can help you. Just because
you dream something, it doesn’t mean
it’s going to happen. The relaxation
and breathing which are taught in
antenatal classes might be helpful.
STRETCH MARKS
These are pink or purplish lines
which usually occur on the tummy
or sometimes on the upper thighs or
breasts. Some women get them,
some don’t. It depends on your skin
type. Some people’s skin is more
elastic. You are more likely to get
stretch marks if your weight gain is
more than average.
It’s very doubtful whether oils or
creams help to prevent stretch marks.
After your baby is born, the marks
should gradually pale and become
less noticeable.
SWOLLEN ANKLES, FEET
AND FINGERS
Ankles, feet and fingers often swell a
little in pregnancy because the body
holds more water than usual. Towards
the end of the day, especially if the
weather is hot or if you have been
standing a lot, the extra water tends
to gather in the lowest parts of the
body. You should:
• try to avoid standing for long
periods;
• wear comfortable shoes;
•
put your feet up as much as you can
– try to rest for an hour a day with
your feet higher than your heart;
• try to do your foot exercises (see
page 17) – these will help.
TEETH AND GUMS
Bleeding gums are caused by a
build-up of plaque (bacteria) on the
teeth. During pregnancy, hormonal
changes in your body can cause the
plaque to make the gums more
inflamed. They may become swollen
and bleed more easily. To keep your
teeth and gums healthy, you should:
• pay special attention to cleaning
your teeth. Ask your dentist to
show you a good brushing
method to remove all the plaque;
•
avoid having sugary drinks and
foods too often. Try to keep them
only to meal times;
• remember that dental treatment
is free while you are pregnant
and for a year after your baby’s
birth, so have a check-up now;
•
discuss with your dentist whether
any new or replacement fillings
should be delayed until after your
baby is born.