Whether you’re a new mom or this is your first pregnancy it’s normal to be a little bit anxious about what to expect over the next nine months. Pregnancy is a time when your body is changing, your hormones levels are high and you’re never quite sure what symptoms will crop up next. Here are a just a few things you can expect to deal with over the next few months
1 – Tiredness
Tiredness during pregnancy is a symptom that takes many women by surprise. The first and third trimester are usually the most difficult with many women experiencing sluggishness and low energy levels. The best way to deal with the tiredness is by making small changes to your daily routine so that you can make the most of your non-fatigue or ‘productive’ hours. If you’re usually tired in the evenings then try and run your errands in the morning and vice versa. Another tip is to give yourself time to rest and relax. Taking naps during the day or using a few minutes to unwind both mentally and physically can be a real help.
2 – Breast Tenderness
Breast tenderness is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Hormonal changes in the body are preparing your milk ducts to feed your baby which results in slight tenderness and discomfort. This usually passes after the first trimester but most doctors recommend using a support bra throughout your pregnancy to help you feel more comfortable.
3 – Weight Gain
Not unexpectedly there is a lot of confusing information about weight gain during pregnancy. How much weight should you gain? should you be eating for two? What types of foods should you stay away from?
Most women usually gain 25-35 pounds over the course of their pregnancy but this is not a universal number and each women is different. Your individual ideal weight gain usually depends on your starting weight and the best person to speak to about this will be your OBGYN. Be sure to ask them about diet and weight gain during one of your pre-natal appointments or check- ups.
4 – Morning Sickness
All woman experience pregnancy in a different way and some are lucky enough to glow with good health and vitality while others have a more difficult time of things. This is especially true when it comes to morning sickness. Although not harmful to the baby morning sickness is still an unwelcome side effect that may keep you away from work, stop you from carrying out your daily activities and can be a miserable experience.
Thankfully, morning sickness is usually mild, self-limiting and goes away by mid-pregnancy. If your morning sickness is limiting your daily activities and stops you from keeping down any food at all be sure to visit your OBGYN who can recommend a number of methods to help deal with the worst of the nausea and vomiting.
5 – The Symptoms You Never Expected
Nausea, bloating and headaches are the expected symptoms of pregnancy but what about the unexpected ones? Heart burn and constipation are examples of common symptoms seen in pregnancy that can take many women by surprise.
Both heart burn and constipation can lead to much discomfort but they can be treated with small changes in diet such as an increase in fibre or with medications that can lessen their impact.
However your pregnancy progresses over the next few months be sure to take things in stride. Most symptoms settle down or disappear after a few weeks but for those symptoms that hang around, get worse or genuinely cause worry then be sure to make an appointment with your OBGYN who can offer you some helpful advice and guidance.
