Common Complaints During Pregnancy
You could say every pregnancy is like a snowflake: although in essence they’re the same as all the others, each pregnancy is truly unique from every other. From energy levels to various types of discomfort, your first pregnancy can be very different from your second, and entirely unique to those of even your twin. Here are some common complaints during pregnancy that we hear from our patients, and some suggestions on how we might be able to help.
Low Back Pain. Yes, let’s get the MOST common out of the way. Certainly if you’re going to carry an extra 20 pounds or more around your abdominal area you’re going to experience a little back pain, especially into your third trimester. Add to that the loosening of your pelvic joints as your body prepares for birth, and well - it can be painful. Trying some posture exercises and lifting properly may help. Seeing one of our chiropractors or physiotherapists for a little (safe) manual therapy and exercise instruction can go a long way to relieving your pain. Massage therapy and osteopathy can often help with low back pain during pregnancy as well.
Urinary Incontinence. Still during the latter part of your pregnancy…. When you have the pressure of a baby on your bladder, it can make things VERY uncomfortable. And this pressure can cause unwanted leakage too, which is annoying at the least. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can often help with this issue, and can also be beneficial for preparing your pelvic floor for birth, among other concerns (even the low back pain mentioned above!).
Nausea and Vomiting. This can be especially difficult for many women, and usually goes away after the first trimester but not always. And sometimes eating carbs helps, but again everyone is different. Since stress is a factor that can encourage nausea and vomiting, you may want to speak with one of our online counsellors to find some healthy coping tools. Also, acupuncture has been shown to provide tremendous relief from nausea and vomiting (and is also fantastic for preventing miscarriage so is great during the first trimester for a variety of reasons).
Other Digestive Concerns. Constipation, indigestion, heartburn, hemorrhoids and even pica (!) can all be digestive concerns while you’re pregnant. From changing hormones, changing body shapes and (once again) pressure from the baby, your digestive system may need some help. Drinking lots of fluids is a good starting point, and talking to a naturopathic doctor can go a long way too. Getting nutritional and lifestyle advice from our online doctors of naturopathy can be extremely helpful all throughout your pregnancy, so consider chatting with one soon.
If you’d like some more information on how we can help with common pregnancy complaints, would like to book a free consultation or would like to go ahead and schedule an appointment at Yellow Gazebo, please give us a call at 416-909-2334, email us at info@yellowgazeboclinic.com, or use the online booking link below. We’ll be happy to help you get on your way to optimum health.
