Even the healthiest pregnancy can be accompanied by back pain or swollen, tender breasts. It’s not uncommon for many women to experience a wide range of discomfort and pain related to pregnancy, including things like heartburn, upset stomach or swollen feet.
Obstetricians at Riverview Health offer comprehensive care to diagnose and treat a wide array of conditions that may occur during pregnancy.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnancy discomforts vary greatly from person to person, but may include the following:
- Back pain. With changes in weight, a woman’s center of gravity is pulled forward, putting pressure on the back. Back ache and discomfort can also be caused by pelvic joints that loosen in preparation for childbirth.
- Bleeding gums. Spongy gums can be caused by increased blood flow.
- Constipation. Increased pressure on the rectum and intestines can create difficulty with digestion and bowel movements.
- Dizziness. Another common symptom, dizziness may be caused by low blood sugar, low blood pressure, dehydration or quickly moving from a sitting position to a standing position.
- Fatigue. Providing nourishment to a growing fetus requires the body to work very hard. This can cause feelings of fatigue, especially as blood volume and other fluids rise to adjust to the pregnancy.
- Gallstones. A hardened deposit of digestive fluid may form in the gallbladder with increased hormonal activity.
- Headaches. Hormonal changes, especially during the first trimester, can cause headaches.
- Heartburn and GERD. Problems with acid reflux may be caused by pressure on the intestines and stomach.
- Hemorrhoids. Common late in pregnancy, hemorrhoids can be caused by pressure on the rectum and perineum, increased blood volume and the likelihood of becoming constipated as pregnancy progresses.
- Kidney stones. Made of mineral and acid salts, these small, hard deposits can form inside the kidneys and cause painful urination.
- Nausea and vomiting. 90 percent of all pregnant women will have nausea and vomiting in the first trimester. This is also called morning sickness, as symptoms may be more severe in the morning.
- Peptic ulcer. An open sore that develops on the inner lining of the stomach and upper portion of the small intestine, resulting in stomach pain.
- Skin changes. Caused by fluctuating hormone levels, changes in skin may include hyperpigmentation, characterized by brown, blotchy patches on the forehead, cheeks or face. This is also referred to as melasma and chloasma.
- Stretch marks. Generally caused by a rapid increase in weight, these may appear on the breasts, thighs, abdomen or buttocks.
- Swelling/fluid retention. It’s very common for women to experience mild swelling during pregnancy, but severe swelling may be a sign of preeclampsia (a condition marked by high blood pressure).
- UTI. A urinary tract infection (UTI) may develop as a result of bacteria entering the urinary tract through the urethra.
- Varicose veins. These are common late in pregnancy and result from increased pressure on the legs and pelvic veins, as well as increased blood volume.
- Yeast infections. Hormonal changes and an increase in vaginal discharge can increase the risk of getting a yeast infection during pregnancy.
Some women may experience these discomforts differently or not at all.
Talk to an Expert About Pregnancy Discomforts in Noblesville, IN
Treatment for discomfort and pain from pregnancy will depend on the condition and its severity. To learn more about treatment for pregnancy pain in Noblesville, IN, find an OB/GYN near you by calling 317.565.0535 or by completing an online appointment request form.
Riverview Health provides complete treatment for discomfort during pregnancy for people living in Noblesville, Carmel, Cicero, Fishers, Sheridan and Westfield.