Critical Pregnancy Pains & Risks - Dangerous Symptoms Pregnant Women Can Suffer

What are the most common pains in pregnancy?  I don't think there are many pregnant women, or women who have recently given birth that can say they have never suffered some sort of twinge or little discomfort throughout their nine months of pregnancy. While it is perfectly natural to experience, or to suffer from certain anxieties such as pain and soreness, there is however particular symptoms you might think to be normal when in fact they are not which can cause serious complications in the pregnancy for both mother and baby. No matter how little the twinge which causes you concern you are not to ignore it but have you're self checked over by the doctor/midwife.

In pregnancy, matters like heavy breasts, getting out of breath and other issues like swollen ankles, dry skin, brittle nails and problem hair are a few to mention of common pregnancy pains and discomforts which women expecting babies normally have to endure. Fortunately there are things that can be done or practiced to help prevent the more obvious ailments in pregnancy; but in the unfortunate case where an attempt to prevent pregnancy pains failed, then seek medical attention.

Let's look at common pregnancy issues and to the best way to treat and deal with them

As with "every" health condition, whether it is a disorder or disease, healthy foods have to be eaten. Eating healthy foods makes the body strong giving it the much needed strength to fight deadly diseases and other effectively. The result of following a well balanced diet will have you see the body at its best and in great shape. The body's immune system will also go from strength to strength helping to keep disease at arm's length. It is essential for pregnant women to eat healthily to uphold an all round well being, thus at the same time looking after the welfare of the baby's health in the womb.

By eating good nutritious foods the body gets stronger allowing it to protect you the best it can from harm, upping the odds in your favor of having a healthy pregnancy, and a not so painful delivery, and birth of a healthy bouncing baby boy or girl, or both. Follow a well balanced diet to help reduce the risk of common pregnancy pains.

1. It is important to keep an eye on your teeth at this sensitive time. Some pregnant women tend to think discomforts derive from the swelling belly and extra weight, when in fact pregnancy can cause a multitude of problems for women, and teeth being one of those to suffer. To protect your teeth and baby's also, take Vitamin C and Calcium. If you chew gum swap to the sugarless type while pregnant. Nibble some cheese or chew nuts to keep the mouth occupied instead of filling it with fattening sweet substances. You already have to cater for extra weight as it is without piling on more unnecessary pounds; it's not healthy for both you and your unborn baby.

2. It's not uncommon for pregnant women to feel lightheaded and dizzy, especially in fasting spells. You have to eat because you're now eating for two remember. You need to eat regularly during the day. If you can't stomach heavy meals then healthy snacks will help fill the gap to stop dizzy bouts. Avoid junk and greasy as much as possible. Junk food can boost and instant rush in your energy levels which when digested and gone leaves you feeling yucky.

3. Keep the body hydrated at all times whether pregnant or not. Drinking will spur on your blood sugar keeping you well hydrated.

4. Leg cramps bring those common pregnancy pains we speak of which can be unbearable. And due to the extra weight you carry makes it difficult to jump up quickly to deal with them. Usually around the second trimester, leg cramps are common. These are most likely to happen in the middle of the night. The cause given for leg cramps is linked to calcium. If the body lacks the right amount it results in painful cramps. It has also been stated that lack in magnesium levels often result in leg cramps, while dehydration being another. It is not healthy to eat before going to bed but if you suffer from this problem then eat a piece of cheese or drink a glass of milk before going to sleep.

5. Any unusual swellings you see aside from your tummy have it checked out by your GP or tell your midwife. A severe case of swelling could be a sign of preeclampsia. Excess water retention is the common cause for this. Drink plenty of water and avoid salty foods which will help minimize the risk of the condition developing and helps take down swelling.

6. Skin is major concern for pregnant women. Most women expecting babies who were spoken to on the matter did say, that they already thought themselves ugly with their bump without having to put up with their skin looking like a dried prune. Damaged skin caused by pregnancy is usually treatable. Once again to retain a clear fresh healthy complexion in pregnancy drink plenty of fluids. If flakey skin is the problem, eat nuts and seeds and foods rich in omega-3. Some women's skin may appear blotchy and the skin show discoloration, the cause of this is boiled down to a deficiency of folic acid. See your GP or midwife about taking prenatal vitamins.

7. Not the locks – not the tresses please, cries the pregnant woman. I am afraid the hair is a common part of the body prone to damage in pregnancy. More than 50% of pregnant women suffer hair loss while pregnant, and also known to happen after giving birth. The primary reason given for rapid hair loss is due to the body's lack of vitamins and minerals. Because of your condition the body expects more at this time. It is normal for hair to fall out, however normal is determined on how much is shed. If hair is coming out in chunks then this clearly indicates your body is low on nutrition. If this happens to you consult your doctor or speak to a nutritionist. Losing wisps of hair is something not to concern you're self over, but if hair loss results in the scalp showing through then this could be serious. Vitamins A, B and C are essential in every pregnancy. Healthy hair and scalp is the outcome of Vitamin A. Vitamin B assists in hair growth, and for strength it is Vitamin C.

It is critical for your health and your unborn baby's, to eat healthy foods. Good grub helps maintain healthy skin and keep your hair.

More serious pains in pregnancy

As baby keeps growing inside the womb it puts more pressure on your body. As a result we have common discomforts (backache and stomach pains.) It's not rare in pregnancy to suffer tummy pains; however you need to know the difference between the stomach pains that are generally the result of a tummy upset, or the more serious pains that may require urgent attention.

Abdominal pain or stomach cramps can be a sign of something serious, and more so if certain symptoms are present.

Usual causes of stomach pain

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Ligaments around the uterus stretching as the infant grows  
• Feeling tense can cause stomach cramps.

Symptoms to look out for that could be of the more serious nature are

• Stomach cramps with vaginal bleeding (suspected concern - miscarriage)
• Tummy pains going across stomach, often with pain in the shoulders or across the shoulder blades. (Suspected concern ectopic pregnancy)
• Stomach pains accompanied with other symptoms like blood pressure or high levels of protein in your urine. (Suspected concern pre-eclampsia)
• If you experience stomach pains/cramps with diarrhea, back pain and contractions around the 24th and 36th week of pregnancy, then these are signs we connect with the risk of premature labor.

You are not to get frantic or worry you're self silly over the above pointers. They have been provided to help you decipher between what is seen as usual stomach pains in pregnancy, and the not so normal. Nonetheless if something doesn't feel right while you are pregnant see you're GP?

Looking after Pregnancy Skin – More about being Pregnant and other pregnancy issues