Common ailments during pregnancy

If ailments develop into problems, speak to your midwife or GP at your antenatal check-ups. 

Nausea and vomiting

For many pregnant women, nausea will be worst early in the day and it is therefore referred to as ‘morning sickness’. For others, nausea may be present all day. The exact cause of nausea during pregnancy has not been identified, but it has been linked to an increase in the pregnancy hormone, hCG. 

Nausea usually starts from week 6 and lasts until week 12-13. Some women continue experiencing nausea after 20 weeks. Nausea is rarely dangerous for you or the foetus. Even if you vomit two or three times a day, you will normally retain some food in your body. 

Nausea can cause you to drink less than recommended. Try to maintain a regular fluid intake, even if you feel nauseous.  

If you are unable to eat or drink anything and you feel dizzy and lethargic, you should consult a doctor. You may require drug treatment and, in some cases, hospitalisation.

Tips on what to try if you feel nauseous 

• Eat little and often, for example every two hours. 
• Eat dry biscuits or toast. 
• Eat something as soon as you wake up and take your time getting out of bed. 
• Avoid rich and spicy foods. 
• Drink the usual amount of fluids, but avoid coffee. 
• Sit down after you have eaten. 
• Move slowly and avoid sudden movements. 
• Move a little every day and get some exercise and fresh air. 
• Some pregnant women find that acupuncture helps with their morning sickness. 
• Acupressure bracelets can be bought in pharmacies - they are safe to use, but it is uncertain whether they have any effect. 

Fatigue, sleeping difficulties and dizziness

Fatigue 

It is normal to feel tired during the first trimester. This usually improves in the second trimester. If you continue to feel very tired, you should rest as often as possible and get help with your chores and duties at home and in the workplace. A blood sample should be taken to rule out tiredness linked to iron deficiency. 

Sleeping difficulties and sleeping position 

It is common to not sleep quite as well during pregnancy. This can be due to both physical changes and racing thoughts about childbirth and the new child that will arrive. 

During the latter part of a pregnancy, there are several minor ailments that can lead to poorer sleep. It can be a good idea to sleep with a pillow between your legs if you sleep on your side, as this can be good for the pelvis. 

If you are struggling with sleep, the best tip is to accept the situation and realise that it is normal during pregnancy. This can be tiring, but it is not dangerous. 

The uterus gets heavier and can put pressure on blood vessels that are important for the blood supply to the foetus. This is why you should always sleep on your side after week 28 of your pregnancy. It is not dangerous to change position during your sleep. If you wake up on your back, it is your body signalling that you should move on to your side again. 

Dizziness 

During a normal pregnancy, blood pressure tends to be slightly lower at certain times during the pregnancy. This can make you feel dizzy, especially if you stand up quickly from a lying or sitting position. Other common causes of dizziness may be that you have not had enough to drink or that you have developed iron deficiency - anaemia (in Norwegian). Some people also feel dizzy when lying on their back during the latter part of their pregnancy. 

It is a good idea to take your lower blood pressure into account by getting up slowly, drinking enough fluids and avoiding lying on your back if this makes you feel dizzy. If you suspect you may have anaemia, this can be checked through a blood sample by your midwife or GP. 

Pubic region

Urinary tract infections 

If you experience a burning or stinging pain when you urinate, you may have a urinary tract infection, or cystitis (in Norwegian), as it is also known. Urinary tract infections can go away on their own after a few days. When you are pregnant, it is recommended that urinary tract infections be treated using antibiotics due to the increased risk of complications. 

You should therefore speak to your doctor if you suspect you may have a urinary tract infection and provide a urine sample for testing. The urine sample can show whether there are any signs of a urinary tract infection. The sample can also show which bacteria are causing the infection. 

If a group B streptococcal infection is detected, treatment with antibiotics will then also be recommended during childbirth. If you keep getting urinary tract infections during pregnancy, your GP will be able to refer you to a specialist. 

Frequent urinary tract infections can also be a sign of group B streptococcal infection (in Norwegian).

Incontinence 

More than half of pregnant women suffer from urinary incontinence - or involuntary urination (peeing). The most common forms of urinary incontinence are: 

• Stress incontinence (in Norwegian): involuntary leakage of urine during physical exertion 
• Urge incontinence: involuntary leakage of urine associated with a strong urge to urinate 

Incontinence itself is not dangerous, but it can lead to a number of physical and social problems that can affect your quality of life. 

Exercising the pelvic floor muscles helps to prevent incontinence, both before and after childbirth. Studies show that this is more effective than having no treatment and that the effect is maintained over time. 

Discharge and vaginal thrush 

Increased vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy. If you also experience itching, soreness, an unpleasant odour or pain when urinating, this may be due to an infection (in Norwegian). You should speak to a doctor to get it checked. 

Candida infection, also known as vaginal thrush, is more common in pregnant women. During pregnancy, this condition can be treated using vaginal suppositories and a cream applied to the vagina and labia. These can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies. It is a good idea to speak to your midwife or doctor before treatment to make sure that the symptoms are caused by thrush. You should not take capsules by mouth without consulting a doctor first.

Heartburn 

Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning sensation that usually starts in the chest and moves up towards the throat. You may also experience a sour taste in the mouth, and some people develop bad breath or a dry cough. The stomach contains acid to digest the food we eat. When acid enters the oesophagus, which carries food from the mouth to the stomach, you will experience heartburn. 

Here are some tips for managing heartburn: 

• Some people find that skimmed milk or almonds can alleviate the symptoms. 
• Eating regular meals can also help. 
• Some foods and drinks, such as spicy foods and coffee, can exacerbate the problem. 
• You should also avoid lying down immediately after eating and wait for a while first.  

You can try different things to see what works best for you. Over-the-counter medications are also available if you produce too much stomach acid. Ask your midwife, doctor or pharmacy for advice. 

Emotional changes 

Many people are more emotional than usual when they are pregnant. Mood swings are common. These fluctuations are due to a combination of hormonal and physical changes. 

Fatigue, lack of sleep and other ailments can exacerbate this. Exercise, getting enough sleep, eating regular meals and spending time with your partner or close friends can help on tough days. Mood swings are most common during the early and last parts of pregnancy. 

Digestion 

Constipation 

Obstipation and constipation (in Norwegian) are things that many pregnant women experience. The symptoms can occur early in pregnancy and are due to hormonal influences. 

Tips that can prevent obstipation: 

• Being physically active and drinking enough fluids can help. 
• Eat fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits. 
• 1 tablespoon of soaked flaxseed daily and/or soaked prunes can have a good effect. 
• Drink fermented milk products instead of regular milk. 
• Remember to drink plenty if you eat a lot of fibre. If you don’t, you may become more constipated. 

Your midwife or doctor will be able to give you more advice. 

Haemorrhoids 

Haemorrhoids (in Norwegian) are enlargements of the blood vessels in the rectal opening and are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. The haemorrhoids can be on either the inside or the outside of the sphincter muscle. 

If you see bright red blood on the toilet paper when you wipe after a bowel movement, you may have haemorrhoids. They are harmless and often disappear on their own. If they are bothersome, there are treatments available that can help. 

You can reduce the problem if you adjust your diet as you would for constipation, while increasing your physical activity. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. There are over-the-counter creams that can help to relieve the pain. It can be a good idea to consult your midwife, doctor or pharmacist. 

On rare occasions, surgical treatment must be considered.

Symphysiolysis and back pain 

Back pain and severe pelvic girdle pain (in Norwegian) are a problem for many pregnant women. Research shows that personalised treatment with exercises set by a physiotherapist can be helpful. Exercising in water, acupuncture and massage can also be considered to relieve the pain. 

Other advice is to rest on your side with a pillow between your knees, move around within your pain threshold, and wear shoes with good support. To relieve or prevent back and pelvic pain, you can be physically active and do exercises that strengthen your back and abdomen.

Skin and body 

Fluid accumulation and water in the body (oedema) 

Oedema is the accumulation of fluid in the tissue, which looks like swelling. Pregnant women most commonly experience oedema in the legs, but you may also experience swelling in the face and hands. Oedema is usually caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, and slight swelling is normal. Any swelling will disappear some time after birth. 

Make sure you stay physically active and avoid standing still for long periods of time. It can be a good idea to wear support stockings and shoes that do not pinch. Try to rest with your legs up when sitting. 

Swelling in the wrist can sometimes lead to carpal tunnel syndrome (in Norwegian). This can cause pain, tingling and reduced sensation in the fingers, but usually disappears completely after giving birth. 

Significant swelling that occurs over a short period of time can be a sign of pre-eclampsia (in Norwegian). You should contact your doctor or midwife in this case. 

Swelling in just one foot, combined with redness and pain, can be a symptom of a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis). Although deep vein thrombosis is very rare, it is a serious condition and you should contact a doctor as soon as possible. 

Varicose veins 

Varicose veins (in Norwegian) are bulging veins in the legs that become visible when they bulge against the surface of the skin. During pregnancy, the uterus presses on the blood vessels (veins) that carry blood from the legs up to the heart. This causes increased pressure in the blood vessels in the legs. 

Rising levels of the hormone progesterone also cause the blood vessels in the legs to become weaker. This increases the risk of developing varicose veins. Some people also develop varicose veins in the lower abdomen. 

Varicose veins can be a nuisance, but they are not harmful. Compression stockings can relieve the symptoms but will not prevent varicose veins from occurring in the first place. 

Sitting with your legs raised for periods of time and lying with a pillow under your buttocks (for varicose veins in the abdomen) can help. Regular physical activity improves blood circulation and reduces the risk.

Cramps in the legs 

Leg cramps are associated with pregnancy and are usually transient. Experience shows that massage, stretching and movement can relieve ongoing leg cramps. There is no evidence that vitamin or mineral supplements help with leg cramps. 

Stretch marks 

Little is known about safe or effective methods for preventing stretch marks from occurring in some pregnant women. Creams that claim to remove stretch marks in the skin cannot document that they work.