Fatigue, headaches, and nausea oh my! Understanding the 5 most common pregnancy symptoms and how to manage them.

Between fatigue, nausea, bloating, round ligament pain, and headaches… it’s a hard job. Even for the most wanted and celebrated pregnancy in the world, actually growing a baby can be tough. But there are things you can do to make it easier on yourself. 

1.  Fatigue

Just when you’re supposed to cut back on the caffeine, the incredible exhaustion of early pregnancy hits. Movies often touch on the nausea most heavily, so a lot of women are surprised when it’s suddenly hard to get through the day without a nap. If you’re home and napping is possible, schedule some time to lie down. But if you have to go to work for the whole day or you have other kids or family members to care for, a nap isn’t always possible. Tell your doctor if you can’t resolve the exhaustion; they can check to make sure you’re not anemic, and give you some tips.

2. Nausea

Nausea is horrible. It’s uncomfortable and seems to come out of nowhere. A lot of the “pregnancy cravings” you hear about are really just desperate attempts to find something appealing to eat. Ginger can soothe your stomach, as can eating before you even get out of bed. A lot of pregnant women keep a box of saltines by the bed for this purpose. Staying hydrated can help as well. If none of these tricks are giving you any relief, talk to your doctor. Extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can be treated.

3. Bloating

You’re ten weeks pregnant, and most of the info you’ve seen says that it’s too early for  you to be showing, but somehow your clothes aren’t fitting. Bloating happens early. Trust us when we say that it’s more noticeable to you than it is to anyone else. But if maternity clothes help, there’s nothing stopping you from getting in there now!

4. Round ligament pain

As your body adjusts to pregnancy, you may find yourself experiencing pain at the base of your belly right along your sides. This pain, called round ligament pain, is a result of your body changing and adjusting to accommodate the changes to your body. It can be pretty darn unpleasant, but it is normal. 

A belly band or belt can relieve some of the pain. So can an easier workout schedule, a pain reliever deemed safe for pregnancy, and more rest. If things start to get really bad, don’t suffer in silence. Make sure to talk to your doctor. There are exercises and physical therapy treatments that can help!

5. Headaches

Almost 40% of pregnant women suffer from headaches during their pregnancy. Tension headaches are the most common, with symptoms like throbbing pain in the temples or a sharp pain behind the eyes. If you experience nausea or vomiting as a result of headaches, or see flashes of light or blind spots, you’re most likely experiencing migraines. 

Headaches in the first trimester are usually mild, and brought on by things like hormonal changes, caffeine withdrawal, and dehydration. These headaches should be manageable with safe-for-pregnancy over-the-counter pain relievers, a swig of coffee, and more hydration. Acupuncture can also be helpful to control headaches. If those things don’t offer comfort, talk to your doctor.

Once you hit the later trimesters, headaches become a bigger deal. They can be a sign of serious conditions like high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke, preeclampsia, and placental abruption. If you’re experiencing headaches later in your pregnancy, don’t panic, but have a low threshold for calling the doc. 

A note on self-advocacy: 

One of the toughest things about pregnancy is that things can be “totally normal” or “omg the biggest deal,” and it’s hard to know which is which. Some pregnant women find themselves experiencing extreme levels of anxiety, often as a direct result of this “could be nothing, could be something” stuff. It’s important to remember that whatever you need during your pregnancy, your medical professional is there to help. 

If you’re experiencing anxiety, pick up the phone. If you have a weird pain in the middle of the night, don’t worry so much about bothering the nurse or doctor on call. That’s why they’re there. They went to school for a long time to help people just like you; it’s what they want to do! Instead of worrying about making a fuss over nothing, remember that your only responsibility right now is your health and the health of your baby. Reach out, raise your hand, get the help you need and deserve.