4. Constipation
Your bowel habits will probably change
during pregnancy. Most women notice some constipation. Two things add to
the problem in pregnancy—increased hormones and blood-volume increase.
You may not be drinking enough fluid, which can cause dehydration (and
constipation) in you.
Increase your fluid intake. Foods that
contain a lot of water include frozen juice treats, watermelon or a
slush made with fresh fruit juice and water. In addition, foods with
lots of fiber hold onto water longer, which helps soften your stools.
Exercise may help. It shifts body
position, which may stimulate your bowels and increase muscle
contractions to help move food through your intestines.
9. The Difference between Indigestion and Heartburn
Some people who suffer from heartburn say
they are suffering from indigestion, but indigestion isn’t the same
thing as heartburn. Although they have similar triggers, and treatment
may be the same in many instances, they are different. Indigestion is a condition; heartburn may be a symptom of indigestion.
Indigestion is a vague feeling of
discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen and chest. It includes a
feeling of fullness and bloating, accompanied by belching and nausea.
Occasionally, heartburn is a symptom.
Several things can trigger indigestion,
including overeating, eating a particular food, drinking alcohol or
carbonated beverages, eating too fast or too much, eating fatty or spicy
foods, drinking too much caffeine, smoking or eating too much
high-fiber foods. Anxiety and depression can worsen symptoms.
Many healthcare
providers suggest a mild laxative, such as milk of magnesia or prune
juice, if you have problems. Certain foods, such as bran and prunes, can
increase the bulk in your diet, which may help relieve constipation.
Don’t use laxatives without your
healthcare provider’s OK. If constipation is a continuing problem,
discuss treatment at a prenatal visit. Try not to strain when you have a
bowel movement; straining can lead to hemorrhoids.
5. How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development
Infections or diseases passed from one person to another by sexual contact are called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
These infections can affect your ability to get pregnant. During
pregnancy, a sexually transmitted disease can harm your growing baby.
Take care of any STD as soon as possible!
About 2 million pregnant women
have an STD. That’s over 40%! Many don’t even know they have one. Ask
for a test or treatment if you think you have an STD. Your healthcare
provider routinely offers tests for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis.
6. Genital Herpes
More than 45 million people in the United States over the age of 12 have had active cases of genital herpes
(HSV type 2); 1 million new cases are reported every year. It’s not
uncommon for a woman to have this problem during pregnancy. In fact, 2%
of all pregnant women who do not have the disease when they get pregnant
get it during pregnancy. Of those women who have herpes, 75% will have
an outbreak during pregnancy.
Herpes can be dangerous for your baby. If you contract herpes during
pregnancy, your baby is at highest risk. If your first outbreak is near
delivery, your baby has a higher chance of having problems.
There’s no safe treatment during
pregnancy for genital herpes. Some women are given valacyclovir during
the last month of pregnancy in an attempt to suppress an outbreak. One
study found this decreases the chances of an outbreak by nearly 70%. If a woman has a herpes outbreak late in pregnancy, she may have a Cesarean delivery.
7. Yeast Infections
Monilial (yeast) infections are more common in pregnant women. They have no major effect on pregnancy, but they may cause you discomfort and anxiety.
Yeast infections are sometimes harder to
control and may require frequent retreatment or longer treatment during
pregnancy. Creams used for treatment are usually safe during pregnancy.
Avoid fluconazole (Diflucan); it may not be safe to use during
pregnancy. Your partner does not need to be treated.
A newborn infant can get thrush
after passing through a birth canal infected with monilial
vulvovaginitis. Treatment with nystatin is effective.
8. Vaginitis
Vaginitis, also called trichomonal vaginitis or trichomoniasis, is the most common STD among women. It has no major effects on a pregnancy.
Treatment includes metronidazole
(Flagyl) for you and your partner. A problem in treatment may arise
because some experts believe metronidazole shouldn’t be taken in the
first trimester of pregnancy. Most healthcare providers will prescribe
metronidazole for a bad infection after the first trimester.
9. Human Papillomavirus (HPV; Genital Warts)
There are over 100 different viruses included under the umbrella term human papillomavirus (HPV)—30 of them are transmitted sexually. In some people, this virus causes venereal (genital) warts, also called condyloma acuminata.
Genital warts may grow faster during pregnancy because of lowered
immunity, pregnancy hormones and increased blood flow to the pelvic
area.
HPV is one of the most common STDs in the
United States—20 million Americans have it. HPV can affect your vagina,
cervix and rectum, and your partner’s penis.
The Pap smear done at
one of your first prenatal visits can reassure you that you do not have
this problem. HPV is one of the main causes of abnormal Pap smears. If
you have genital warts, tell your healthcare provider at your first
prenatal appointment. During pregnancy, certain treatments should be
avoided.
Warty skin tags may enlarge during
pregnancy; in rare instances, they have blocked the vagina at the time
of delivery. If you have many venereal warts, a Cesarean delivery may be
necessary. Babies have also been known to get small benign tumors on
the vocal cords after delivery.
HPV vaccines are recommended for
all females between the ages of 9 and 26. They are not recommended
during pregnancy. However, they are considered safe during
breastfeeding.
10. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea presents risks to a
woman and her partner, and to her baby when it passes through the birth
canal. The baby may contract gonorrheal ophthalmia, a severe eye
infection. Eye drops are used in newborns to prevent this problem. Other
infections may result in the mother, which are treated with penicillin
or other medications that are safe during pregnancy.
