Expecting a baby causes a lot of minor inconveniences. We discover them as the months go by, and we hardly dare to talk about them! Benign but uncomfortable, we would like to get rid of these little evils of pregnancy! Here’s a look at the solutions.
Table of contents
- Acne
- Hemorrhoids
- Bladder weakness during pregnancy
- Tingling
- Genital mycosis
- Food cravings
- Hypersalivation or ptyalism
- The increase in hairiness
- Hyperpigmentation
- Clumsiness related to relaxin
- Petechiae
- Dry eyes
- Stretch marks
- Itching
Acne
A nasty return to adolescence! On your face or back, you are covered in pimples. The increase in sebum secretion is again an effect of hormones. The sebaceous gland is then inflamed by a germ. Acne is more common in women who had acne-prone skin before having a baby.
What to do?
Cleanse your face thoroughly morning and night, and don’t apply foundation – to avoid clogging your pores even more. If your acne is severe enough, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Above all, don’t self-medicate! Some anti-acne treatments are strongly contraindicated because they can cause malformations in the fetus.
Hemorrhoids
In the festival of the least glamorous ailments, hemorrhoids undoubtedly take the gold medal! They are varicose veins that form around the rectum and the anus. They occur under the combined effect of hormonal changes, which soften the blood vessels and increase the volume of the uterus, which presses on the veins. They can be internal or external. Sometimes they can rupture and bleed. It’s not a severe condition, but it’s particularly uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. So, glamorous or not, we take care of it quickly!
What to do?
In case of an attack, take an oral painkiller, such as paracetamol. The doctor or midwife will prescribe an ointment and suppositories that contain anesthetics. If the hemorrhoids are severe, they may add a venotonic drug to reduce the tension in the dilated veins. The treatment is short-term and safe for the baby.
Be careful; the phenomenon worsens if you are constipated, which is common during pregnancy. In this case, drink water (up to 2 liters per day) and eat fruit and vegetables rich in fiber. To avoid irritation, cut out spicy foods. Hemorrhoids can also occur after birth as a result of expulsion efforts. It will take several days to several weeks for the veins to return to their original position.
Bladder weakness during pregnancy
In short, the baby’s weight presses on your perineum, and hormonal impregnation tends to relax your muscles. As a result, at the slightest effort, you find it difficult to hold back your urine. Which can lead to leakage when you sneeze, laugh, lift something or run for the bus.
What can you do about it?
During pregnancy, you can’t build up your perineum; try to get a good feel for the area and how it reacts, so you have the reflex to “squeeze” at the right moment. Other ways of coping with these inconveniences are going to the toilet often, wearing discreet panty liners, and planning a proper re-education with a midwife or physiotherapist a few weeks after giving birth.
Tingling
Some women experience tingling sensations in their legs or hands during the last trimester of pregnancy, mainly at night. It is also known as “restless leg syndrome” or “carpal tunnel syndrome” when it affects the hands. This phenomenon is often due to swelling of the tissues caused by excess water, which compresses the nerves. A loss of magnesium can also cause it.
What can be done?
Taking magnesium helps some expectant mothers. You can also wear compression stockings or elevate your legs and hands. Another technique against heavy legs: soak the limb in cold water with salt. This stimulates circulation, reduces swelling, and eliminates tingling. Consult your gynecologist; if these become painful, who will refer you to a rheumatologist to consider another treatment. Typically, everything returns to normal after childbirth.
Genital mycosis
Itching, burning, and tingling in the vulva are symptoms of a yeast infection, a prevalent condition during pregnancy. You may also have a white discharge like curdled milk. Fungal infections are caused by a yeast of the fungus family, Candida albicans, which is usually present in the body. During pregnancy, the pH of the vagina changes from acidic to basic. In addition, when you are expecting a baby, the immune system weakens, and the fungus takes advantage of all these changes to increase.
What to do?
This fungus is treated with ovules to be inserted into the vagina on medical prescription. The obstetrician-gynecologist who follows you (or your midwife) will also prescribe an ointment to reduce the itching. If the mycoses continue, you should talk about it with your midwife or gynecologist. Perhaps it is necessary to rebalance the vaginal or intestinal flora with probiotics?
Food cravings
One of the most frequent inconveniences of pregnancy is hunger pangs with its crazy and surprising cravings for sardine pickles, ice cream, sweet and salty foods. More often than not, during pregnancy, women want to eat everything they need. For example, a craving for saltiness may be a sign of dehydration. In the same way, certain foods can be disgusting.
What to do?
It’s pretty amazing, but pregnancy cravings are still poorly understood. However, there are a few tricks to avoid them: drink water to fill the hunger pangs, eat proteins and foods containing slow sugars and calcium.
Hypersalivation or ptyalism
The salivary glands become very active and productive. This condition is not well known and affects women of African origin more frequently than white women. The hormone ß-HCG is suspected to affect the salivary glands, but the cause is not known. Some patients may spit up to a liter a day. This is not an abnormal phenomenon in terms of pregnancy, but it is somewhat uncomfortable.
What can be done about it?
There is no miracle treatment for pregnancy-related hypersalivation. Mothers-to-be affected by this condition should carry a handkerchief (or even a jar!) to get rid of the excess saliva! Medication is not recommended. You can turn to acupuncture, homeopathy, or osteopathy to alleviate the symptoms, even if there is no proof of their effectiveness. Hypersalivation often diminishes as the pregnancy progresses, except for some mothers-to-be who will suffer from it until the end!
The increase in hairiness
Horror, a line of coarse hair has appeared on our pretty round belly! In some women, an increase in hair growth can also appear on the legs and even the face. This is due to the placenta, which produces androgenic hormones during pregnancy (whether you are expecting a baby girl or a baby boy).
What to do?
Wax it off, or deal with it! There is nothing more to do because the fetus needs these hormones to develop. If hair appears on your face, do not apply bleaching products. Indeed, the chemicals could pass into our bodies and have effects on the fetus. Be patient.
Hyperpigmentation
Under the effect of progesterone, the skin’s sensitivity changes. Melanin accumulates under the epidermis. A brown line appears along the belly, and dark spots appear on the body. Exposure to the sun accentuates the phenomenon. One of the most feared ailments is “chloasma,” or pregnancy mask, on the face. Dark-haired women are more prone to it.
What to do?
We protect ourselves from UV rays by all means: by avoiding exposure during the hottest hours, by wearing a T-shirt, hat and glasses, without forgetting sun cream (SPF 50). Pigmentation fades on its own a few months after pregnancy. If this is not the case, make an appointment with a dermatologist to get rid of it.
Clumsiness related to relaxin
Spilling milk, falling keys. Many pregnant women explain that their clumsiness is one of the first visible signs of their pregnancy. The more weight we carry forward, the more our center of gravity shifts. Pregnant women easily stain their clothes when eating or preparing food. A sauce stain on their shirt is a quick occurrence. Another reason for clumsiness is that during the first few weeks, relaxin levels rise rapidly. This is the hormone that helps joints, ligaments, and muscles relax. Because relaxin causes the muscles in the wrist, hand, and fingers to relax, it may contribute to a looser grip, although there is no research on this.
What to do?
We stay vigilant; it’s the only thing to do. Being aware of our clumsiness will help us! And we laugh about it, or at least we play it down. After all, it’s not so bad.
Petechiae
Under the effect of progesterone, the capillary blood vessels are weakened. Some burst under the skin tissue. These red spots can be found on the face or neckline. This happens most often in the middle of pregnancy when hormone levels are at their highest.
What can you do about it?
Nothing at all! These spots disappear after a few days, as the hemoglobin gradually disappears under the skin. If the phenomenon recurs too often, you should discuss it with your gynecologist. There is no treatment; everything should go back to normal after the pregnancy.
Dry eyes
Pregnant, I can’t wear my contact lenses anymore? Do my eyes sting? Some mothers-to-be have problems with dry mucous membranes due to hormones that can affect the eyes, mouth, and vagina. Other eye problems include a decrease in visual acuity and an increase in myopia.
What can be done?
There is no treatment, but it is possible to relieve the symptoms. The pharmacist can provide you with an ophthalmic solution. Another option is to wear glasses instead of contact lenses until you give birth. If you have vaginal dryness, it can also cause pain during sexual relations. In this case, buy a lubricating gel to use during each intercourse.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks are scars caused by a rupture of the skin’s deep elastic zones (collagen fibers) and replaced by thinner, disorganized fibers. As soon as they appear, stretch marks form red-purple, slightly swollen welts. Gradually, they lighten and become pearly white. Stretch marks can appear from the 5th month onwards, on the stomach, hips, thighs, and breasts during pregnancy. They are partly caused by cortisol, which weakens the elastic fibers, mainly collagen. Stretch marks are favored by rapid weight gain.
What to do?
We try not to gain weight too quickly. It is better to prevent stretch marks quickly by using an anti-stretch mark cream. Foods rich in fiber are to be preferred. You can also massage the affected areas with a specific moisturizer or vegetable oil (sweet almond oil, argan oil).
Itching
You can’t stop scratching! At the end of pregnancy, from the 8th month onwards, you have an itchy stomach. Depending on the woman, this can affect the whole body. This “gestational itch” is caused by hormones.
What can you do about it?
Your doctor will prescribe a local treatment. For your part, remove anything that can irritate the skin: certain allergenic toiletries (shower gels, perfumes). Choose hypoallergenic products instead. The same goes for clothes; I prefer cotton. If the itching increases and wakes you up at night, talk to your doctor. This may be a “pregnancy cholestasis,” a pathology that requires special measures and treatment, as it can be dangerous for the fetus.
Conclusion
Inconveniences we seldom think about, and answers to each are listed above, even if they may vary from one another. Preconception consultation is an excellent opportunity for women to learn more about their options for reducing their risk of pregnancy complications.