Pregnancy is the most beautiful phase for a woman. Having problems with pregnancy is normal, and by adjusting your lifestyle, you can easily handle these problems. When a woman gets pregnant first time, she may be anxious to know about pregnancy problems and their solutions. Here all your anxiety is going to end. Stay tuned.
However, a woman has to face complications throughout the pregnancy, but the first trimester is the crucial time when most women start having issues with the pregnancy. Therefore, you need to be more cautious at this time to enjoy 2nd and 3rd trimesters of the pregnancy.
When Do I Start Having Issues With Pregnancy?
The most women start having problems with pregnancy during first trimester. The first trimester is the earliest phase of the pregnancy that begins from the first day of your last period and ends until the 13th week of the pregnancy.
During the first trimester, the baby’s growth starts, and the mother-to-be also starts feeling changes in their body. A pregnant woman’s body is going through many hormonal and emotional changes, which is why women start having pregnancy issues. However, facing problems with pregnancy throughout the first trimester is different for every woman.
Many cases have reported some women don’t face any problem with pregnancy during the entire pregnancy. Medical experts proclaimed that emotional stress is a common problem with pregnancy among women. It is normal to think about the expecting baby’s health. But it crosses the limit it put the pregnant woman in emotional stress.
During the first trimester, women need the emotional support of their families and partners to prepare themselves mentally and physically to handle the pregnancy efficiently.
What Problems With Pregnancy Can Women Face in the First Trimester?
As I mentioned earlier in the post, it is common to have problems with pregnancy. Only you need to be more aware to recognize your pregnancy problems timely to get relief from them through medication or opting pregnancy lifestyle.
Here are the common problems with pregnancy that any woman may face during the first trimester:
1. Morning Sickness
Nausea & Vomiting or morning sickness is one of the common pregnancy complications that 70% to 80 % women face. However, it may affect different women differently. Some women feel vomit all the time, which is why they can’t eat well. For some other women, morning sickness can increase the risk of dehydration. Excessive vomiting is not good for you and your baby’s health. It would help if you immediately meet your doctor to resolve this problem.
2. Vaginal Discharges or Itching
It is normal to have Vaginal Discharge during pregnancy unless it has an odour or is coloured yellowish. You need to consult your doctor if you are feeling excessive itching and redness as it can be a sign of a vaginal infection.
3. Constipation
The hormonal changes in a pregnant woman slow down the muscle contractions that normally move food through your system. Adding extra iron (that you are taking through your prenatal vitamins) increases the level of constipation and gas that keeps you bloating all the time. It is normal to have problems with pregnancy.
Only you need to add extra fluids and fibre-rich foods to keep things moving more smoothly. You can start walking for at least 15 to 20 minutes after having food to get rid of constipation. However, you must visit your health care provider and discuss your problem if you feel restless.
4. Fatigue
In the first trimester, your body is trying to cope with the hormonal changes which make you feel fatigued. Whenever you feel tired you should take a rest or a short nap, that will help you cope with the one of commonest problems with pregnancy.
5. Peeing a lot
In the first trimester, your uterus starts to grow, which puts pressure on your bladder. As a result, you always feel like going to the washroom. Don’t stop having fluids that are necessary for your body. It is one of the most common problems with pregnancy. It will help if you cut down on caffeine, especially before bedtime. Don’t hold the nature call that can create issues for you and your baby.
6. Heartburn
The hormonal changes slow down the digestion process that causes you heartburn. You can handle problems with pregnancy by adopting changes in your diet easily – avoid fried food, spicy food, and sugar-loaded drinks. Take a small portion of the food and raise your pillow when you sleep. It would be best if you also had a 20-30 minutes walk after having food. This helps you a lot to cope with heartburn.Â
7. Mood Swings
Hormonal changes put you on an emotional roller coaster as sometimes you feel about crying, and at another moment, you think of laughing. Talk to your partner about the anxiety and emotional stress you feel that will help you relax.
How to Cope Problems with Pregnancy During the First Trimester?
Here are the few instructions that will help you to handle the pregnancy issues:
- Focus on your diet
- Avoid oily and spicy foods
- Have small portions of the food
- Have plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Increase water intake
- 10- 15 minutes walk a day
- Cutdown the caffeine
- Avoid smoking and drinking
- Have prenatal vitamins
- Keep yourself happy and if you feel any stress, talk to your close one
- Having plenty of rest
- Have efficient sleep
Can Women Have Problems With Pregnancy in the Second Trimester too?
As I mentioned in the post, most women start having problems with pregnancy from the Ist trimester, and these problems with pregnancy are almost reduced till the second trimester. But there are a few complications that women may face during the second trimester. Here we go:
1) Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding is a warning sign of a miscarriage. Usually, miscarriage happens in the first trimester, but due to some reasons, that can happen in the second trimester, also. Some reasons are listed below:
Uterine septum:- A septum is a membrane that divides the uterus into two separate parts that may increase the risk of miscarriage in the second trimester. However, it can be corrected only through surgery.
Incompetent cervix:- When the cervix opens early, around the 39th week causes an early birth, but when the cervix opens at the 20th week, by this time, the fetus is premature to deliver. Such a kind of pregnancy often ends in miscarriage.
Fetus’s Chromosomal abnormalities:- When there are some issues with the fetus’s chromosomes ( that are, the cells made of DNA) can lead to a miscarriage.
Early labour, issues with the placenta, etc., may be reasons for the miscarriage during the second trimester. However, the bleeding does not always indicate a miscarriage. If you are facing bleeding issues in the second trimester, immediately contact your caregiver. They will find out the reason and give you the proper treatment.
2) Preterm Labor
Preterm labor (when labor occurs before the 38th week of the pregnancy) is the most common pregnancy problem women may face in the late second trimester. Bladder infection, smoking, chronic health conditions like kidney diseases, and diabetes are the reasons for preterm labor.
3) Preeclampsia
High blood pressure, excessive protein in the urine, and excessive swelling can be reasons to suffer from Preeclampsia. Although it occurs during the third trimester in the case of first-time pregnancies, some women suffer from Preeclampsia during the second trimester too.
It can affect the complete system of the body, including the placenta. And the placenta is a medium to pass all nutrients to the fetus. Headache, loss of vision, severe pain in the stomach area, etc. are the symptoms of the Preeclampsia. If you feel any of the listed symptoms, then call your doctor to get help to resolve it.
4) Injury
Until the second trimester, the tummy grows and the expectant gains enough weight. That is why they may lose their balance. And there are chances to slip, so you, the pregnant ladies, need to be more careful about problem with pregnancy during second trimester.
You should install a grab rail In the bathroom or around the slippery areas. You can also purchase an anti-skid mat for the bathroom to avoid the risk of falling while bathing. Besides these problems, women may face respiratory problems, bleeding gums, etc., during the second trimester.
When Do Women Start Having Problems With Pregnancy During the Third Trimester?
The third trimester is crucial for pregnant women as the baby is coming soon. But the problems with pregnancy can occur around the third trimester also. You need to be more careful about your health to get a fit and fine baby. Here I have explained some problems with pregnancy that pregnant women may face during the third trimester:
Gestational Diabetes
As per the reports, 9.2 per cent of women face gestational diabetes in the United state. Let’s dive into it. Hormonal changes are the leading cause to have gestational diabetes. At the time, insulin typically works to control it. And the women have abnormally high glucose levels.
There are no particular symptoms listed to recognize gestational diabetes. Moreover, the condition is not harmful to the pregnant but may cause many problems for the fetus. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of birth injury and caesarean delivery.
Around the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy, the pregnant women should take the test for gestational diabetes. Getting tested for gestational diabetes timely is the best way to deal with this problem with pregnancy.
The problem can be treated with diet, lifestyle and medicines. Your doctor will also give you the best advice regarding your diet and other changes to fight gestational diabetes. The low-impact exercise can also help you to fight gestational diabetes.
Post-term Pregnancy
As per the reports, about 6 to 7 % of women deliver babies at 42 weeks or later. The deliveries that take place after 42 weeks are called Post-term pregnancy. However, the causes are unclear, although hormonal and hereditary factors may be reasons for post-term pregnancy.
Post-term pregnancy is the major issue as it is not dangerous for the mother but concerns the fetus’s life. The placenta is an organ that works for about 40 weeks to provide oxygen and nutrition for the growing fetus.
After 40 weeks of the pregnancy, the placenta doesn’t work well, which may decrease the amniotic fluid around the fetus. The oxygen supply to the fetus becomes less, which is hazardous for the fetus. It can be shown on the fetal heart monitor in a pattern that is called late decelerations.
There is a high risk of sudden fetal death in Post-term pregnancy. At around 41 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant has fetal heart rate monitoring and also measurement of the amniotic fluid.
If the health care provider sees the fetus’s abnormal heart rate and low fluid level, it is necessary to induce labor. In normal cases, spontaneous labor is awaited until 42 or 43 weeks. But after 42 or 43 weeks, the labor is induced for safe delivery.
The third trimester needs more concern about the health of the mother and fetus. It would help if you take check ups on time as per your doctor’s advice. Moreover, pay attention to any minor complications. If you have any then immediately talk to your doctor and get treatment timely.
Conclusion
Having problems with pregnancy is common, but you need to be more cautious to enjoy a healthy pregnancy. There is a high risk of miscarriage in the 1st trimester. So, as you know about the pregnancy, immediately contact a health care provider to avoid occurring high risk your pregnancy.
You feel problems with pregnancy in the second and third trimesters compared to the first trimester. Your body is habitual to hormonal changes, and you feel mature enough to care yourself and expecting baby.
FAQs About Women Start Having Problems With Pregnancy
Check out the most asked questions about problems with pregnancy that will help you surely decrease your anxiety about pregnancy:
Q. Having Tender, swollen breasts during the first trimester, is it normal?
A. Due to hormonal changes, you may have tender and swollen breasts, but after some time, when you get habitual with these hormonal changes, your breasts also get normal after a few weeks.
Q. Having any problem with pregnancy does indicate a healthy pregnancy?
A. Some women think like this, but unfortunately, problems with pregnancy don’t indicate healthy pregnancy. You should consult your doctor to avoid high risk in later pregnancy.
Q. How can I handle difficulty in Breathing during the first trimester?
A. Increased levels of progesterone can cause difficulties in breathing. Working slowly, sitting up straight, and sleeping on propped-up pillows may help you to cope with this pregnancy problem.