Things Your Mother Never Told You about Being Pregnant

From hemorrhoids and heartburn to contractions and constipation, Dr. Donnica Moore tells Moms-to-be what to expect when you’re pregnant and how to handle it.

WHILE MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS are quick with advice about everything from baby names to where, when, and how often a newborn should sleep, a new survey reveals that the majority of pregnant women wish their mothers had told them more about what to expect when they are pregnant.
“Women who are pregnant with their first child don’t necessarily know what to expect in terms of the symptoms they may experience—including ones that are as common as constipation,” observed Donnica Moore, MD a leading women’s health expert, TV personality and columnist, who teamed up with Dulcolax to encourage more openness and discussion about common pregnancy symptoms.
In a survey of pregnant women called, “Break the Silence,” by Ducolax, 60 percent of the women surveyed say they are suffering from constipation during their pregnancy, compared to only 37% who say they have not experienced this condition. Yet compared to other pregnancy-related health issues, constipation is one of the most uncomfortable topics for women who are pregnant or who have experienced pregnancy—right up there with incontinence. Nearly 30 percent of women say they are very or somewhat uncomfortable talking about constipation, followed by 27 percent who say they are uncomfortable talking about incontinence. Other common symptoms women would prefer not to discuss include weight gain (7%); morning sickness (4%); strange cravings (3%) and being overly tired (2%).
Dr. Moore points out that the more you know, the better off you are. For example, she says to try drinking 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day, eating fiber-rich foods, and taking a gentle laxative as a simple solution.

According to Dr. Moore, other common, yet often not discussed, pregnancy symptoms may include:

1. Pregnancy gingivitis:
   Ever wonder why your gums bleed more when you’re pregnant? Experts say it’s because pregnancy exaggerates the body’s normal response to dental plaque. As a result, excessive plaque build-up often leads to bright red, tender, swollen, sensitive gums that may bleed easily.
   Tip: Brush with a fluoride toothpaste at least once a day, using a soft toothbrush with rounded bristles for 2-3 minutes. Floss your teeth daily to remove plaque from the tooth surfaces not reached by the toothbrush (like the sides of your teeth).

2. Backaches.
   It’s the law of physics, sort of. As your abdomen grows, so does the pressure on your back. It’s common to experience backache after walking, bending, lifting, standing, or excessive exercise.
   Tip: Take a long, warm bath at night and in the morning. Try applying a heating pad throughout the day. Do mild exercise such as swimming or walking. Don’t forget to stretch first! Also, try lying on your left side when resting or sleeping.

3. Leg Cramps:
   While they can happen any time, leg cramps seem to strike most often at night—usually when you’re trying to get some much needed sleep. You’ll know it when you get one: it’s that pain in your calf that often causes your foot to point—or spasm—involuntarily.
   Tip: Often they are inevitable. You can try stretching your calf muscles. Take warm baths. Wear maternity support hose during the day. And don’t forget to rest on your left side. If the cramps don’t resolve, or if there is heat or tenderness in the area, call your doctor right away.

4. Skin Problems:
   Not everyone is blessed with a pregnant glow. For some women the increased secretion of oils wreaks havoc with their complexions, causing breakouts not seen since junior high.
   Tip: Wash your face at least two times a day with a gentle cleanser. Drink plenty of water to help keep skin moist and eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

5. Sciatic-Nerve Pain:
   Located behind the uterus, in the pelvic area, the sciatic nerve runs down into the leg. Sciatic nerve pain is an often sharp (some would even say memorable!) pain felt in the buttocks and down the back or side of either leg. It tends to occur more frequently the further along your pregnancy gets.
   Tip: Get off your feet! The best way to deal with the pain is to lie on your opposite side. This may help relieve pressure on the nerve. This is another condition that should be brought to your doctor’s attention sooner rather than later.

6. Heartburn & Indigestion:
   Gastrointesinal discomfort such as heartburn and indigestion will most likely haunt you throughout your pregnancy. The cause is usually the same as it is when you’re not pregnant – overindulgence., although now you have far less room for expansion.
   Tip: When sitting, sit up straight. When sleeping, try “elevating your head— double fold your pillow to serve as a backrest.

7. Shortness of Breath:
   As the baby grows, your uterus pushes your stomach and other organs upward and reduces the room your lungs and diaphragm have for breathing. Women are most likely to experience shortness of breath during their last trimester, especially in the hot summer months.
   Tip: Discuss any shortness of breath with your doctor, immediately.
   8 Early Contractions:
   Called “Braxton Hicks” contractions, they often feel as though the uterus is bunching up and hardening. Braxton Hicks contractions typically begin sometime after the 20th week of pregnancy and are the body’s way of “rehearsing” for labor.
   Tip: Braxton Hicks contractions are very common, but talk to your doctor when they begin. Sometimes they can be a sign of preterm labor and it may be tough to tell the difference.

8. Hemorrhoids:
   The increase in blood volume can also lead to varicose or enlarged veins. Hemorrhoids are simply varicose veins in the rectum, which may appear as small bulges at the edge of the rectal opening, or they may be internal. They can hurt and may bleed when you have a bowel movement, especially if you are constipated.
   Tip: Avoid constipation. Avoid standing or sitting in one position too long.

9. Swelling and Edema:
   Doctors say that blood volume increases as much as 40 percent during pregnancy, which means that your circulatory system is working harder than usual. The increase in blood volume sometimes slows down your circulation, so a certain amount of swelling is normal in late pregnancy.
   Tip: This should be monitored at each prenatal visit because more than a little swelling may be an indication that something more serious is wrong.

Dr. Moore always recommends consulting your doctor before you get pregnant, if you have any problems during your pregnancy, and to attend regular visits throughout your pregnancy.