Pregnancy can cause many changes to your body. These physical changes can be uncomfortable, causing you to have back pain, fatigue, constipation, heartburn, swollen legs and round ligament pain. Many of these discomforts can be managed by changing your position, diet and exercise. Show
Your body will be constantly changing during pregnancy, which might cause some discomforts. Some discomforts might occur in the early weeks of pregnancy, while others will occur only as you get closer to delivery. Other discomforts might appear early and then go away, only to come back later. This is normal and usually does not mean something is wrong. Some of the most common discomforts and ways to relieve them are described here. Every woman’s pregnancy is unique, and some of these discomforts might not affect you. Discuss any concerns about your discomforts with your healthcare provider and ask about safe medications you can take — including over-the-counter medications — during pregnancy. Abdominal pain or discomfortDiscomfort Sharp, shooting pains on either side of your stomach might result from the stretching tissues supporting your growing uterus. These pains might also travel down your thigh and into your leg. Recommendations
Round ligament painDiscomfort Most common during the second trimester, this is sharp pain that’s in the abdomen or hip area. Round ligament pain can be either on one side or both. It can also extend to the groin area. Round ligament pain is considered a normal part of pregnancy. Recommendations
Muscle tighteningDiscomfort The muscles in your uterus will contract (tighten) from about the fourth month of pregnancy. Irregular, infrequent contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions. Recommendations Contact your healthcare provider if the pain is severe or constant or if you’re less than 36 weeks pregnant and you have signs of pre-term labor. Signs of pre-term (premature) labor:
BackachesDiscomfort Backaches are usually caused by the strain put on the back muscles, changing hormone levels and changes in your posture. Recommendations
Bleeding and swollen gumsDiscomfort The increase in your volume of circulation and supply of certain hormones might cause tenderness, swelling and bleeding of your gums. Recommendations
Breast changesDiscomfort Your breasts may increase in size as your milk glands enlarge and the fatty tissue increases. Your breasts are preparing to produce milk for your baby. Bluish veins might also appear as your blood supply increases. Your nipples will also darken and a thick fluid called colostrum might leak from your breasts. All of these breast changes are normal. Recommendations
This is a great time to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding. ConstipationDiscomfort Your hormones, as well as vitamins and iron supplements, might cause constipation (trouble passing stool, or incomplete or infrequent passage of hard stools). Pressure on your rectum from your uterus might also cause constipation. Recommendations
Difficulty sleepingDiscomfort Finding a comfortable resting position can become difficult later in pregnancy. Recommendations
DizzinessDiscomfort You may experience a feeling of unsteadiness, lightheadedness and vertigo during pregnancy. This can happen when you are standing or lying down. Dizziness can disrupt your sense of balance and could make you fall. Recommendations
FatigueDiscomfort Your growing baby requires extra energy, which might make you feel tired. Sometimes, feeling tired might be a sign of anemia (low iron in the blood), which is common during pregnancy. Recommendations
Frequent urinationDiscomfort During the first trimester, your growing uterus and growing baby press against your bladder, causing a frequent need to urinate. This will happen again when the baby’s head drops into the pelvis before birth. Recommendations
HeadachesDiscomfort How often headaches occur and how bad they are can vary. Recommendations
Heartburn or indigestionDiscomfort Heartburn is a burning feeling that starts in the stomach and seems to rise to the throat. It occurs during pregnancy because your digestive system works more slowly due to changing hormone levels. Also, your enlarged uterus can crowd your stomach, pushing stomach acids upward. Recommendations
HemorrhoidsDiscomfort Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that appear as painful lumps on the anus. They might form as a result of increased circulation and pressure on the rectum and vagina from your growing baby. Recommendations
Leg crampsDiscomfort Pressure from your growing uterus can cause leg cramps or sharp pains down your legs. Recommendations
Nasal congestionDiscomfort You might have a “stuffy nose” or feel like you have a cold. Pregnancy hormones sometimes dry out the lining in your nose, making it inflamed and swollen. Recommendations
Nausea or vomitingDiscomfort Nausea can occur at any time of the day but might be worse in the morning when your stomach is empty (this is often called “morning sickness”) or if you’re not eating enough. Nausea is a result of hormonal changes and most often occurs early in pregnancy until your body adjusts to the increased production of hormones. Recommendations
Shortness of breathDiscomfort You might feel short of breath when walking up stairs or walking briskly. Recommendations
Stretch marksDiscomfort Stretch marks area a type of scar tissue that forms when the skin’s normal elasticity is not enough for the stretching required during pregnancy. They usually appear on the abdomen and can also appear on the breasts, buttocks or thighs. While they won’t disappear completely, stretch marks will fade after your child’s birth. Stretch marks affect the surface under the skin and are usually not preventable. Recommendations
Swelling in the feet and legsDiscomfort Pressure from the growing uterus on the blood vessels carrying blood from the lower body causes fluid retention that results in swelling (edema) in the legs and feet. Recommendations
Vaginal dischargeDiscomfort Increased blood supply and hormones cause your vagina to increase normal secretions. Normal vaginal discharge is white or clear, non-irritating and, odorless, and might look yellow when on your underwear or panty liners. Recommendations
Varicose veinsDiscomforts An increased volume of blood and the pressure of your growing uterus can slow your circulation, sometimes causing the veins in your legs to become larger or swollen. Recommendations Although varicose veins are usually hereditary, here are some preventative tips:
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When should you worry about back pain in early pregnancy?Know when to consult your health care provider
If you have severe back pain during pregnancy or back pain that lasts more than two weeks, talk to your health care provider. He or she might recommend medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other treatments.
Is it normal to have pain on right side during early pregnancy?Aches and pains, including right side pain, are a normal part of pregnancy. Common causes include weight gain, rising hormone levels, and gassiness. The discomfort and pain will usually go away on its own or with at-home treatment. More serious conditions can also cause right side pain during pregnancy.
Is left side pain normal in early pregnancy?Many women experience left side pain during pregnancy. Early in your pregnancy, it can be a sign that your body is stretching to make room for your baby, or it can stem from digestive issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or constipation.
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