 Pregnancy: Nausea and the works.
I thought that since I've been having so many problems with being sick, I made up a guide to help soothe nausea and other issues that may arise during pregnancy.
First Trimester Symptoms:
1) Nasea and Vomiting
2) Frequent urination
3) Dizziness/Lightheadedness/Fainting
4) Breast Tenderness
5) EXTREME FATIGUE
6) Irritiblitly/Sensitivity
7) Heartburn
8) Constipation
9) Placenta Brain
10) I'm sure there are more, feel free to add in if you know of something helpful.
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1) Nausea and Vomiting-
I've really been struggling with this symptom since I got pregnant. It seems like some days I can't keep anything down. The nausea has affected me so badly that I've been forced to fail the semester and retake it in the Spring. Most days I can't get out of bed, but later on, I'm fine as rain.
Things you can do to help with your nausea and vomiting:
1) Keep saltine crackers with you on your bedside. Before you even sit up in the morning, eat a couple crackers and get up slowly.
2) Another help includes sour candies. Sour helps to control the nausea surprisingly well. In many maternity stores they sell a product called "Preggy Pops." They are merely sour lollipops that you suck on periodically when your nausea comes knocking. A cheaper product: Sour Tangerine Altoids.
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2)What you can do to help with Frequent Urinitation:
1) When you are urinating, lean forward and sort of grab your ankles. This helps to empty the bladder further. The emptier your bladder is, the less often you have to pee.
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3) What you can do to help with Dizziness:
1) Make sure you are eating 6 small meals a day. Have something in your stomach (if you can) every 2 hours or so.
2) When you stand up, stand up slowly.
3) Be sure you are drinking plenty of fluids (water)
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4)What you can do to help with breast tenderness:
This is a trick that will relieve your breast discomfort when you're lactating as well.
1) Wrap your breasts in cold cabbage leaves. An ice-pack or cold compress works fine too, but the cabbage leaves are amazing. Trust me. It sounds strange, but the relief is just what you need.
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5) What you can do to help with fatigue:
Pregnancy brings about extreme amounts of fatigue. You'd not believe how tired you could be. I can sleep a good 11 hours and wake up in dire need of a nap.
1) Make sure you are getting enough sleep at night.
2) Take naps in between times of activity.
3) Upon waking up, do some floor stretches. Get your muscles working. This helps a great deal. Once you get moving, you'll begin to feel a little better.
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6) What you can do about irritability and sensitivity:
1) Make sure you're getting the rest you need. Lack of sleep makes for a grouch, pregnant or not.
2) It's important to remember that your hormones are taking a bit of a beating. Make sure you explain to people that if you happen to snap, not to take it personally. Be responsible for your feelings and try to overthrow the mean hormone dictator.
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7) What you can do about heartburn:
As your uterus swells, there is less room in your stomach. This makes for a hard time in catching up with digestion. The odds of heartburn are great.
1) Eat 6 small meals throughout the day, as opposed to 3 big meals. This ensures that you won't be hungry all the time, and it gives your stomach enough time to digest what is in it.
2) Since we pregnant folk are limited on the medications we can take, we're not left with a lot of options. A simple anti-acid will be fine. (Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, etc)
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8) What you can do about constipation:
The hormone levels in your body slow down your bowels.
1) Be sure you are eating enough fiber.
2) It is usually okay, but ask your doctor about a stool softener. (Colace)
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9) What you can do about Placenta Brain:
Placenta Brain is what an unofficial term used to describe a pregnant woman's brain. Concentration becomes very difficult to maintain, and your mind will wander more and more. Forgetfulness is a definite symptom of Placenta Brain. This is the reason why they don't employ very hard punishments for pregnant women who murder. This is why we are considered Crazy.
1) Make a list of the things you need to do. Make a million copies and disperse them throughout your domain. Write things on your hands and remind yourself to look at your hands to see what you wrote.
2) Remember to think about the things you are going to say before you say them out loud.
3) Make sure that you're eating. If you've food in your stomach, your more likely to concentrate better.
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I hope this guide is helpful for some of you. Like I said, feel free to add as needed.
(edit: for all errors.. I blame the Placenta Brain)
[This message has been edited by Hardly There (edited 11-12-2006).]
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2006-11-12, 11:38
