is another common early pregnancy sign. Your body is growing a baby! Get plenty of rest, go to sleep early, and nap if needed. Exercise daily to increase your energy level, and eat regular, healthy meals.

is quite common, with 90% of pregnant women experiencing nausea. This is often caused by hormonal changes and increased calorie needs from your changing body. General measures to control NVP are eating frequent, small meals, avoiding spicy foods, taking vitamins B6 (10-25mg 100 mg up to four times a day), ginger, drinking clear liquids, and getting regular rest. If you are having difficulty keeping any foods down, switch to a “B.R.A.T.” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) and stick to water/sports drinks only. If your nausea is early in the morning, eating something before you get out of bed may help. Also, eating every 2-3 hours and eating slowly will keep your blood sugar at a consistent level. If you are still having problems, we will prescribe medications to help you.

are common, especially from about 10-20 weeks of pregnancy. They usually resolve with Tylenol, rest, hydration, and time. You can also try ice packs to the back of your neck or massage. Let us know if they do not resolve.

is often seen in the first trimester and rarely in the second or third trimester. Usually, the pregnancy is okay, but we request that you notify our office if this is the first time this has happened. Heavy bleeding in the first trimester may indicate a miscarriage, but that is not always the case. If the bleeding is more than a pad every 1-2 hours, you should call the office or go to the emergency room. If you are having heavy bleeding in the second or third trimester, please notify us by phone and go straight to Labor & Delivery.

is another common symptom, especially in the third trimester. Usually, rest and Tylenol will help. Topical heat and massage can help as well. Pelvic rock exercises can help stretch the muscles in your back and relieve pain. Avoid lifting heavy objects. When you need to lift, squat down and bend your knees. Use supportive shoes and good support when sitting in a chair. A supportive belly band can also help decrease discomfort by supporting your growing belly.

usually begins in the second trimester and is characterized by sharp pulling pains on either side of the low abdomen. These symptoms are due to the growth of the uterus and the stretching/pulling of the ligaments that hold the uterus in place. Belly bands can be extremely helpful for stabilizing your growing abdomen.

are more common in pregnancy. It is important to take good care of your teeth by seeing a dentist in pregnancy and brushing and flossing regularly.

are also normal in pregnancy. The most common one is a dark line that runs from the pubis to the umbilicus or higher- called the linea nigra. You may develop a darkening of the skin over the nose and upper cheeks, and this is called melisma or the “mask of pregnancy”. Moles may grow or darken. You may also see changes in hair growth. Please notify us of any suspicious moles.

in pregnancy are common due to the increase in blood in your body and the pressure of your growing baby and uterus on your veins, often slowing down the flow in leg veins. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods. Move around every 1-2 hours if you have a job that requires you to stand or sit. Avoid crossing your legs for a long period of time. Exercise regularly. Wear supportive hose or compression socks. We can recommend a consultation with a specialist if your varicose veins cause you too much discomfort.

can be common and bothersome in pregnancy. Be sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet (cheese, milk, broccoli, and almonds are rich in calcium). Wear comfortable shoes. Stretch your legs before bed. Talk to your provider about taking a calcium/magnesium supplement if relief measures are not working.

are a concern for many women in pregnancy. This happens because sometimes the skin doesn’t have enough elasticity or “stretch” to accommodate the growing belly of pregnancy. You can get them on your abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Creams and lotions will not prevent stretch marks, as they are formed under the top layers of the skin; however, moisturizing can minimize itching that may accompany your stretching skin.

during pregnancy is also caused by the pressure from your uterus on your blood vessels. This causes fluid retention and swelling, particularly in your legs and feet. Try not to stand for long periods of time and put your feet up. Drink plenty of fluid (8-10 glasses/day). Avoid foods high in salt. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Keep your diet rich in protein. Rest on your side during the day to increase the blood flow to your kidneys. You can eat cucumbers, melon, and drink iced tea (one cup per day), as these are natural diuretics and can help decrease swelling. If you have swelling in your face or hands, please notify your provider.

is a common complaint from women in pregnancy. An increased blood supply to your vagina and increased hormones will cause the vagina to increase the normal amount of secretions. This is normally white or clear, does not smell, and does not itch or burn. It can look yellowish when it dries on your underwear or on a panty liner. Wear cotton underwear. Avoid tight-fitting jeans/leggings.

DO NOT DOUCHE! Keep yourself clean with water and mild soap if needed. If your discharge becomes foul-smelling, green or gray, bloody, or causes discomfort, contact your provider so that they can check for an infection.

are mild tightening of the uterus seen in the second or third trimester. Occasionally, they can be painful, but usually, they are not. They can occur on one part of the uterus or all over. They are normal, but they alert you to rest and hydrate. Let us know if they do not improve with rest and hydration.