Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy

Common discomforts of pregnancy refer to all temporary symptoms and changes that pregnant clients experience as their babies grow and develop within the uterus. The most common discomforts of pregnancy include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, backache, round ligament pain, urinary frequency, constipation, hemorrhoidal disease, varicose veins, and finally, leg cramps.

First, let’s start with nausea and vomiting which is often attributed in part to pregnancy hormones. It typically occurs in the morning and as a result, is often referred to as morning sickness. Nausea and vomiting are some of the earliest discomforts of pregnancy and can be worsened by fatigue, cooking smells, and fried, greasy, or spicy food.

Now, morning sickness should not be confused with hyperemesis gravidarum, which is a condition that also occurs during pregnancy that’s characterized by severe vomiting that interferes with the client’s daily life. It could also result in weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and may require hospitalization, IV fluids and antiemetics.

Management of nausea and vomiting includes eating small and frequent, high protein meals, maintaining hydration, eating slowly, and avoiding odors or other factors that can trigger nausea. Increasing intake of vitamin B6 can also be helpful, as well as consuming beverages containing ginger, like ginger ale or ginger tea.

Next up is heartburn or pyrosis. Now, the esophagus and the stomach are separated by a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter, which prevents the reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus. Early in pregnancy, hormonal changes lead to a decreased tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, thereby allowing the stomach contents to reach the esophagus and cause heartburn. Later in pregnancy, the growing fetus can directly exert pressure on the stomach, causing the stomach contents to move back into the esophagus. Management of heartburn includes eating small, frequent meals and avoiding laying down after eating. Low-sodium antacids can be helpful, as well as histamine-2 receptor inhibitors, which decrease the production of gastric acid.

Switching gears and moving on to constipation, this primarily occurs due to hormonal changes that decrease the tone and motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Other factors that can contribute to constipation include uterine pressure on the intestinal tract, decreased fluid intake, low fiber diet, and iron supplementation. As for treatment, dietary changes such as increasing the fluid and fiber intake, as well as engaging in moderate physical activity might be enough to relieve constipation, while others could be prescribed a stool softener.