Remedies for common discomfort in Pregnancy

NAUSEA AND MORNING SICKNESS

• Eat dry bread or a dry biscuit before getting up
• Eat frequent small meals
• Drink a cup of ginger tea
• If vomiting is sever or persists after 4months go and see the doctor.

HEARTBURN

• Eat small frequent meals
• Drink milk
• Avoid spicy greasy food
• Avoid coffee, alcohol and cigarettes
• Sleep with your shoulder raised

SWELLING

• Swollen hands and feet are very common, especially in the afternoon and in hot weather.
• If the swelling is bad in the morning it is a sign that the woman must go and see her caregiver and have her blood pressure checked.
• Woman should avoid tight clothing and try to rest their feet a couple of times a day.

EXERCISE

• Keep the back straight and bend your knees when bending down or picking something up.
• Get someone to massage your back. A warm cloth or hot water bottle may feel good.
• Get someone to help you do hard work especially lifting heavy things like furniture

VEINS

• Try not to stand for long period of time
• Sit with your feet propped up.
• Regular exercise improves circulation
• Elastic stockings may help – especially if the legs swell (Talk to you doctor of midwife)

LEG CRAMPS

• Towards the end of pregnancy many woman get cramps in the calf muscles of
  the leg.
• When the cramps happens advice the woman to flex her foot (point the food
  upwards) and then gently relax it
• Eat lots of food with calcium

CONSTIPATION

• Eat lots of fruit and vegetables
• Try eating some the fruit and vegetables raw
• Eat whole grains – brown rice and whole wheat foods
• Get some exercise
• Avoid sitting for long periods
• Drink lots of water

VAGINAL DISCHARGE

• All pregnant woman experience a discharge/wetness form the vagina during
  pregnancy
• This discharge is usually clear and has no smell
• If the discharge becomes white and lumpy or turns yellow or green consult your doctor or midwife

TIREDNESS

• Try to rest a little every day
• Avoid anaemia – which will make a women very tired by eating green vegetables eggs and meat.
• Drink vitamins every day