Pregnancy Discomforts.

Along with the many joys of pregnancy, there are some discomforts. Most of the them are minor, although it may not seem that way at the timel At the beginning of pregnancy, you may have the urge to urinate frequently. If you have to urinate, don't wait to go to the bathroom; it could lead to a urinary-tract infection. As you progress through pregnancy, you may have to deal with constipation. Toward the end of pregnancy, swollen hands and feet may be a problem, along with more frequent heartburn. Let's look at some of these common complaints and see what you can do to relieve them.

Uterine Tightening
Your uterus tightens and contracts throughout pregnancy. (If you don't feel this, don't worry.) As your uterus grows, you may feel slight cramping or even pain in the lower abdominal area, on your sides; this is normal. However, if contractions are accompanied by bleeding from the vagina, call your doctor immediately.

Braxton-Hicks contractions during pregnancy are painless, nonrhythmical contractions you may feel when you place your hands on your abdomen. You may also feel them in the uterus itself These contractions may begin early in pregnancy and continue at irregular intervals throughout pregnancy. They are not signs of true labor.

Some women experience tingling, numbness or pressure in the uterine area or abdomen. These feelings are associated with increased pressure as the baby moves lower in the birth canal. To help decrease pressure on pelvic nerves, veins and arteries, lie on your left side.

Round-Ligament Pain
Round ligaments lie on either side of the uterus. As your uterus gets bigger, these ligaments stretch, becoming longer and thicker. Quick movements can overstretch the ligaments, causing round-ligament pain. This is not harmful to you or your baby, but it can be uncomfortable.
Be careful about making quick movements. If you feel pain, lie down and rest. Most doctors recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) if the pain bothers you. Tell your doctor if it gets worse.

Urinary Discomfort
One of the first symptoms of early pregnancy is frequent urination. The problem continues off and on throughout pregnancy. You may have to go to the bathroom at night when you never did before. It usually lessens during the 2nd trimester, then returns during the 3rd trimester, when the growing baby puts pressure on the bladder.

Some women experience urinary-tract infections during pregnancy; they are also called bladder infections, cystitis and UTIs. During pregnancy, urinary-tract infections may cause premature labor and low-birth-weight infants. If you have an infection, take the entire course of antibiotics prescribed for you.

You'll do yourself a favor by not "holding" your urine. Empty your bladder as soon as you feel the need. Drink plenty of fluids; cranberry juice helps kills bacteria and may help you avoid infections. For some women, urinating after having intercourse is helpful.

Increased Vaginal Discharge
It's normal to notice an increase in vaginal discharge or vaginal secretion during pregnancy. The discharge, called leukorrhea, is usually white or yellow and fairly thick; it is not an infection. We believe the discharge is caused by the increased blood flow to the skin and muscles around the vagina.

The discharge that accompanies a vaginal infection is often foul smelling, has a greenish or yellowish color, and causes itching or irritation around or inside the vagina. If you have these symptoms, notify your doctor. Treatment is often possible; many medicinal creams and ointments are safe to use during pregnancy.

Douching. Do not douche if you have heavy vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Wear sanitary pads if necessary. Avoid wearing panty hose and nylon underwear-choose underwear with a cotton lining. Most doctors agree douching can be dangerous during pregnancy because it can cause an infection or bleeding, or even break your bag of waters (rupture your membranes). It can also cause more serious problems, such as an air embolus. An air embolus results when air gets into your circulation from the pressure of the douche. It is rare but can be a serious problem.