babyurbeautiful

People are very quick to have an opinion once it is announced that one is expecting. You often get told how you will be feeling, what you will feel like eating and what you'll be able to wear. Obviously a lot of this is well meaning and people tell you as that is what they experienced, or at least what they remember experiencing. I think a bit like the story that you will forget the pain of childbirth (I am really hoping so) people forget niggling symptoms that keep you awake, make you worry, but more importantly are a total pain.

Here are my top three and what I have done to alleviate symptoms.

Itching 

I itch everywhere. I have had my blood checked a couple of times to make sure I dont have liver problems (after years of hard partying I expected them to say I had, but I dont). There is not a precise reason why you itch. Some articles cite the skin stretching, others talk about the hormones, but whatever the reason is, it is blinking annoying and borderline socially unacceptable (well beyond borderline when it's your nipples doing the itching!). I have found the only way to cope with it is to slather myself in oil - and in the poor old nipples case vaseline - which alleviates symptoms but leaves marks on tops bras etc and doesnt make you feel the best! There is however an alternative. Mama Mio sent me a brilliant pregnancy kit. There are different creams for different places. There is a non greasy bump butter, a bust cream (boob tube) containing extracts of cabbage, a leg cooling gel and a liquid yoga space spray to generally calm you down! I went a step further and got the "keep calm nipple balm" and I have to say its like magic (and I've used it on my lips too.....move aside carmex!). Available in John Lewis and online too. The pregnancy starter pack is available for £29.50, or mix and match the products you need for the symptoms you have - Mama Mio Range

When people tell you that you may experience bleeding gums, what they dont tell you is that you may experience them to the point you are gagging over the idea of brushing your teeth. The easiest thing (and often the most tempting) is to leave them and let your teeth rot, however that is only going to make the problem worse. The best thing to do is use an electric toothbrush as it means minimal gagging but clean teeth (And just brush through the bleeding!). The Colgate ProClinical 1500 toothbrush is a lightweight toothbrush that doesn't have the clunky feel that some electric toothbrushes have and has smart sensors that adjust the speed and direction of the brush stroke . It leaves your mouth feeling much fresher and less like the bottom of a hamsters cage where a massacre has occurred. Granted your gums may still bleed a little bit but at least you know you are doing everything in your power to protect your dental health and with 5 times the plaque reduction in comparison to a normal toothbrush those gums are certainly being given a thorough seeing too

Dry/Sore Feet

These are probably linked to the itching/skin issues but my feet have become extremely dry and although I appreciate they are carrying extra weight - and still being squeezed into party shoes of a night and left to slop around in wellies when I walk the dogs - pregnancy has taken its toll.

Feet are apparently the most forgotten part of the body so I have given mine a double whammy of symptom alleviation; a DIY it will work at home option and some serious attention to make sure I don't end up with long term problems.

The Scholl Express Pedi is a great solution (while you can still reach your own feet) for giving them a quick smarten up. Buffing away dead skin and allowing them to be smoother again (and it will be a great tool to use once the baby is here for a quick DIY pedi when I have approximately three minutes to myself!).

In regards to foot pain I bit the bullet and made an appointment to see a local Podiatrist (they assess the bio mechanics of the way you walk.....sounds much more technical than it is....they do the technical bits!). All that extra weight I am carrying on my front  was taking its toll and has been causing me both foot and knee pain. After an assessment it was easy to see why. Neil at Kinetic Podiatry showed me a recording of how I walk and I have very flat feet. As a result I am rotating my feet at the ankle to over compensate for my lack of arch. Neil fitted my shoes with a temporary insole and told me to report back 6 weeks later. The lack of knee pain and pain around the ball of my foot - both of which I had assumed were just part and parcel of the pregnancy process - was noticeable within days. On my return to the clinic 6 weeks later Neil fitted me up for a more permanent pair of insoles that will allow me to correct the way I walk and therefore take the pressure off my lower joints. I went for standard insoles that will fit into my converse and winter boots as I figured that's what I'll mainly be wearing but such insoles are available for heeled/party shoes too.

Now all I need to do is give birth to get rid of the extra weight that is now preventing me from rolling over in bed and pregnancy insomnia and life will be tickety boo......won't it?!?!

So, during my first pregnancy, I suffered terribly with nausea and exhaustion. I could hardly get myself out of bed at 9am to drag myself to my laptop (I was signed off by my doctor to work from home),  and then had to have a lunchtime sleep too! By the weekend I was so tired I had to sleep all weekend. I became a hermit- no need for maternity wear-except pyjamas. The baby was a girl.

This time round was completely different, so much easier, much less nausea and able to carry on nearly as normal- until now!! 

I'm 30 weeks pregnant (with a boy) and during the last few weeks I have started to suffer with the usual -'pregnancy woes'.

Exhaustion

One of the hardest things to deal with is exhaustion,  especially when working and looking after a 21 month old. I seem to be getting more tired by the day and since my 21 month old daughter isnow going to bed later- I am ready to hit the hay as soon as she does of an evening. Last night I was shattered but couldn't sleep due to a terrible pain in my lower back (see note below on Sacroiliac joints), and because I needed to pee every 2 minutes with bubs kicking me in the bladder. 

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Nose Bleeds

Last week I had a 30 minute nose bleed which was pouring out and just wouldn't stop. Since then, if I even sniff I feel like it's about to start again. During my last pregnancy I suffered with nose bleeds badly. According to www.babycentre.co.uk the increase in pregnancy hormones progesterone and oestrogen dilates blood vessels while an increased blood supply puts pressure on the delicate veins in your nose. The moist linings (mucous membranes) inside your nose can also swell and dry out. This is often worse in winter, when colds are prevalent, and it tends to be warm and dry indoors because of central heating. I tried tipping my head back but it went down my throat and made me want to throw up.

Here is the NHS advice for stopping the bleeding (basically pinch it!):
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/nosebleed-pregnant.aspx#close

Plantar Fascitis

A few weeks ago I randomly awoke with an awful pain in my right heel which hurt really badly when I walked. After some googling I believe I have plantar fascitis which involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is common in overweight people (that's me right now) and thus pregnant people due to the weight on the heel. Wearing flats actually makes this worse apparently, the suggestion is to wear shoes with slight incline. I have therefore been wearing wedge boots and it seems to have eased off. 'Shoe Therapy' from www.seraphine.com also make ballet flats specially designed for pregnancy, with a slight incline and other support, see here: www.seraphine.com/ballerina-bow-black.html

Cold Sores

Unfortunately I suffer from cold sores, probably the result of some teenage snog way back when grr. What a pain! Every time I get run down they pop up. I have one right now on my lip! Not very attractive! Cold sores are common and generally caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. I have decided not to use Zovirax this time which is my usual effective preventative method. The NHS advises using only if the doctor thinks it's really necessary during pregnancy.

Bruised ribs

Again the relaxin hormone making the ribs softer, but also bubs kicking me in them. Ouch!

Bleeding Gums

Constipation
Again I suffered more from constipation last time, possibly due to the fact that I am now vegan and probably eat more fruit, veg and fibre. However, I still get it on occasions, possibly due to taking iron in my Pregnacare supplement. During pregnancy, the muscle contractions that normally move food through your intestines slow down because of higher levels of the hormone progesterone, as well as the extra iron in your prenatal vitamin supplements. Don't take your own laxatives, go to the doctor to make sure thye are safe. Last time she gave me Lactulose, a sugary syrup. However, this time I am trying prune juice and a healthy diet.

Haemorrhoids
I have had a few instances of piles, also known as haemorrhoids, which are enlarged and swollen veins in or around the lower rectum and anus. Charming. When you're pregnant, piles can occur because hormones make your veins relax. The telltale sign is bleeding. I haven't tried any of the usual prescribed treatments yet though such as Anusol.

Nausea
Caused by the high hormone levels during pregnancy, nausea and morning sickness are more common at the start of the pregnancy. For some reason I seem to have been getting  this a bit again at 6 months, but I think it may be exhaustion related. People will suggest all sorts of remedies but I found that not too much water at once, and eating regular bananas helped me! The usual suggestions such as ginger or peppermint were no good for me.

Heartburn/Indigestion
This is really bothering me at the moment. According to the NHS website: 'Heartburn is a strong, burning pain in the chest that is caused by stomach acid passing from your stomach into your oesophagus (the tube that leads from your mouth to your stomach). When you're pregnant, you are more likely to have indigestion due to: hormonal changes that your body is going through, your growing womb (uterus) pressing on your stomachand the relaxing of the lower oesophageal sphincter (ring of muscle) that acts like a gate between your stomach and your oesophagus, allowing stomach acid to leak back up.' Last time I used to drink a glass of milk for it, but now being vegan, I have turned to the Gaviscon (get it free on prescription). I also find that drinking lots of water at once makes it worse, or bending/laying down soon after eating.


Thrush
I have a constant battle with thrush (candida) during pregnancy, getting it everywhere including bouts in my mouth, lush! Apparently the pregnancy hormones can disturb the natural balance, causing yeast overgrowth. Not keen to use the Nystatin prescribed to me by the doc afetr reading up on it and the risks, I have stuck to Corsodyl mouthwash for the mouth (get it free on prescription) and Canesten cream down below. You can also try cuting down the amount of yeast you eat in your diet, although it is not advised to carry out the full hardcore Candida diet during pregnancy.

Cystitis- Urine Infection
Another thing that seems to re-occur during my pregnancies is water infections, despite drinking tons of water. I have managed to avoid antibiotics by drinking loads of water and cranberry juice.

Never mind though, only 10 weeks more of all this and it will all miraculously disappear and be replaced by sleeples nights, breastfeeding issues and a beautiful wonderful amazing gift- my son.

CB