here - Health Promotion Agency

Problems
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CONSTIPATION
You may become constipated very
early in pregnancy because of the
hormonal changes going on in your
body. It will help to:
• make sure you include plenty of
fibre in your diet through eating
foods like wholemeal breads,
wholegrain cereals, fruit and
vegetables, and pulses such as
beans and lentils;
•
exercise regularly to keep your
muscles toned up;
• make sure you drink plenty of
water;
•
avoid iron pills if they cause
constipation – ask your doctor
whether you can manage without
them or change to a different
type; if not, you may have to
accept having constipation.
CRAMP
Cramp is a sudden, sharp pain,
usually in your calf muscles or feet.
It is most common at night, but
nobody really knows what causes it.
It usually helps if you pull your toes
hard up towards your ankle or rub
the muscle hard. Regular, gentle
exercise in pregnancy, particularly
ankle and leg movements, will
improve your circulation and may
help to prevent cramp occurring.
DISCHARGE FROM BREASTS
You may notice a discharge from
your nipples. This is very common
and nothing to worry about.
However, see your doctor or
midwife if it becomes bloodstained.
FAINTNESS
Pregnant women often feel faint.
This happens when not enough
blood is getting to the brain. If the
oxygen level gets too low, you may
actually faint. It’s more common in
pregnancy because of hormonal
changes taking place in your body.
You’re most likely to feel faint if you
stand still for too long or get up too
quickly from a chair or hot bath. It
often happens when you are lying
on your back.
• Try to get up slowly after sitting
or lying down.
•
If you feel faint when standing
still, find a seat quickly and the
faintness will pass. If it doesn’t,
lie down on your side.
• If you feel faint while lying on
your back, turn on to your side.
It’s better not to lie flat on your
back in later pregnancy or during
labour.