Articles

Key takeaways

• Many common pregnancy discomforts are caused by hormonal changes.
• Routine screening helps detect conditions like gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.
• A balanced diet, exercise, and rest can help manage symptoms.
• Always contact your healthcare provider for severe or unusual symptoms.

Navigating common pregnancy discomforts

Pregnancy brings many changes to your body. Some common discomforts are normal and usually not serious. These often happen due to hormonal shifts and physical changes.

Morning sickness

Morning sickness is the name for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It can happen at any time of day. Hormonal changes in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are thought to be a main cause.

Research suggests hormones produced by the placenta cause nausea and loss of appetite. Some people may be more sensitive to these hormonal changes than others.

Fatigue

Feeling tired or even exhausted is common during pregnancy. This is especially true in the first 12 weeks. Hormonal changes can make you feel tired, nauseous, and emotional.

Later in pregnancy, extra weight can cause fatigue. You might also have trouble sleeping because of discomfort from your bump.

Hormonal changes and increased blood circulation can make you feel too hot. Pressure on your bladder can also lead to needing to wee more often, disturbing your sleep.

Back pain

Your body's ligaments naturally soften and stretch during pregnancy. This prepares you for labour. This softening can put a strain on the joints in your lower back and pelvis, causing pain.

Your posture also changes as your baby grows. The natural curve in your spine increases to cope with the extra weight of your bump.

This can also lead to back pain. Backache can worsen as your pregnancy progresses.

Constipation

Hormonal changes in your body can cause constipation. This can happen very early in your pregnancy. Constipation is a common issue due to these normal hormonal shifts.

Key health conditions to be aware of

Some health conditions during pregnancy require monitoring and management. Routine screening and recognising symptoms are important for your health and your baby's.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It usually goes away after birth. It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.

Most people only find out they have it when they are tested. Gestational diabetes often does not cause any symptoms. If your blood sugar levels get too high, you might experience some symptoms.

These symptoms can include:

• Needing to wee a lot, especially at night
• Being very thirsty
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Genital itching or thrush
• Blurred eyesight

Your midwife will assess your risk factors at your first antenatal appointment. You will be offered a test to check how your body handles sugar (an oral glucose tolerance test, or OGTT) between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

This test involves a blood test after fasting, a glucose drink, and another blood test two hours later. If you had gestational diabetes before, you may be tested earlier.

Gestational diabetes can usually be managed with diet changes and exercise. If not treated, it can cause problems. These include:

• Your baby growing larger than usual
• Having too much of the fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb (polyhydramnios)
• Premature birth

It can also lead to your baby having low blood sugar or jaundice after birth. The risk of stillbirth is rare but possible if untreated.

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia affects some pregnant people, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can also develop soon after birth.

It is a combination of raised blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in your urine (proteinuria). The exact cause is not fully understood.

Early signs like high blood pressure and protein in your wee are often picked up during routine antenatal checks. You may not notice these yourself. If the condition worsens, you might experience other symptoms.

These symptoms can include:

• A severe headache that does not go away with painkillers
• Vision problems, such as blurring or flashing lights
• Severe pain just below the ribs
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Heartburn that does not go away with antacids
• Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, hands, or feet
• Feeling very unwell

Pre-eclampsia can be mild, but it can lead to serious complications. It can affect your:

• Liver
• Kidneys
• Brain
• Lungs
• Heart
• Blood-clotting system

In rare cases, pre-eclampsia can lead to a serious complication involving seizures (eclampsia). Early diagnosis and monitoring improve the outlook for both you and your baby.

Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition where you do not have enough red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen around your body and to your baby.

Iron-deficiency anaemia is the most common type in pregnancy. It affects about 4 in 10 pregnant people in the UK.

Symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia include:

• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Shortness of breath
• A noticeably fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat (heart palpitations)
• Paler than normal skin

Iron-deficiency anaemia is often caused by not getting enough iron from food. Your body needs more iron than usual during pregnancy.

You will have blood tests for anaemia at your booking appointment and again at 28 weeks. If you are pregnant with more than one baby, you will also be tested at 20-24 weeks.

If untreated, anaemia increases the risk of complications. These include low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirth.

It can also cause extreme tiredness after birth and increase the risk of infection. If diagnosed, your doctor may give you an iron supplement.

General strategies for prevention and management

You can take proactive steps to maintain your health during pregnancy. These strategies can help prevent and ease common health problems.

Healthy eating

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important. Include a variety of different foods every day. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

To help prevent constipation, eat foods high in fibre. These include:

• Wholemeal breads
• Cereals
• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Pulses like beans and lentils

Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help. Try to finish eating about three hours before bedtime.

Regular exercise

Regular, gentle exercise is beneficial. Aim for 150 minutes of exercise a week including some strength exercises.

You could start with 10 minutes of brisk walking daily. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

Gentle exercise can help with backache. Ankle and leg movements can improve circulation and may prevent cramp. Being active, such as taking a daily walk or swimming, can also help manage constipation.

Rest and relaxation

Resting when you can may help with headaches. Finding ways to relax is also beneficial. Getting enough rest is important for managing overall fatigue.

Emotional wellbeing

If you are feeling anxious or low, talk to your doctor or midwife. They can help you find support.

Discussing your worries with your partner, friends, and family can also be helpful. Do not keep worries to yourself; ask for help if you need it.

When to contact your healthcare provider

It is important to know when to seek medical advice. Contact your midwife, GP, or local maternity service immediately if you experience any of these warning signs:

• Vaginal bleeding – even if it is light. Heavy bleeding with severe pain requires an ambulance.
• Unusual discharge – such as watery, clear, or coloured discharge.
• Vision problems – like blurred vision or flashing lights.
• Severe headache – especially if it does not go away with painkillers.
• Severely swollen hands, ankles, or face – this can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
• Constant pain – in the upper part of your abdomen.
• Chest pain – or breathing issues.
• Feeling very unwell – or have concerns about your health.
• Changes in your baby's movements – if you think you notice a difference.

If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, contact your GP or local early pregnancy service. If your GP is closed, phone 111.

If you are 12 weeks pregnant or more, contact your local maternity service.

If you are not registered with a maternity service, contact your GP. If your GP practice is closed, you can phone 111 for advice.