preventing common discomfort during pregnancy

PREVENTING COMMON DISCOMFORT DURING

PREGNANCY

FIRST TRIMESTER (FIRST 3 MONTHS)

1. Nausea and Vomiting/ Morning Sickness

- common discomfort found in about 60-65% of all pregnant women; usually in the morning but may be experience any time during the day.

Nursing Intervention/Prevention

Take dry carbohydrates 30 minutes before getting up in the morning

Refrain from taking fatty foods.

Take small, frequent meals.

Increase fluids, but best tolerated b/w meals.

2. Frequency of Voiding/ Urinary Frequency

Urge to urinate compared to normal increases.

Nursing Intervention/Prevention

Increase fluids

Use perineal pad to absorb leakage

Flush perinuem every after voiding

Void as necessary, encourage regular emptying

Kegels exercises

3. Breast Tenderness

Symptoms:

- increase in breast size

- noticeable veins crisscrossing the breast

- highly sensitive nipples

- burning or throbbing pain in the breast

- heaviness in the breast

- tingly or itchy breast nipples

- throbbing or tingling breast during intercourse

Nursing Intervention/ Prevention

Encourage to wear supportive bra

Take a warm bath

Apply a cool facecloth to the area if hot or throbbing feels.

Try to wear cotton bras.

4. Leukorrhea/ increase in Vaginal Discharge

A whitish, viscous vaginal discharge or an increase amount of normal vaginal discharge occurs in response to the high estrogen levels and increased blood supply to the vaginal epithelium and cervix in pregnancy.


Daily bath or shower

Wearing cotton underpads and sleeping at night w/o underwear

Avoid using panty host

Consult doctor if infection suspected

5. Nasal Stuffiness

Over 30% of pregnant women report frequent or constant nasal problems

Nursing Intervention

- steam inhalation

- avoid allergens

- massage the sinuses

- increase fluid intake

6. Fatigue

Common in early pregnancy, probably due to increased metabolic requirements


Increase amount of rest and sleep

Regular exercise

Avoid stimulants

7. Ptyalism

More secretion of saliva than necessary

Nursing Intervention/ Prevention:

- Use mouthwash as needed

- Chew gum or suck on hard candy

SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTER (NEXT 6

MONTHS)

1. Backache

Cause by lumbar lordosis and postural changes necessary to balance


Wear flat or low-heeled shoes Encourage to walk with her pelvis tilted forwardAdvice to squat rather than bend over to pick up objectsWear firm supportive maternity girdleApply local heatAvoid prolong standingUse firm comfortable bed to support sacro-iliac joint

2. Leg Cramps

Refer to a painful, involuntary contraction of single or a muscle group.

Decrease serum calcium levels, increases phosphorus levels


Increase calcium in the dietAvoid fatigue of muscle; frequent change positionNo constricting gartersAvoid pointing the toesTreatment- lies on her back momentarily and extends her involved leg while keeping knee straight and dorsiflexing the foot until the pain disappear

3. Leg Varicosities

Development of tortuous leg veins.

Largest ropey veins seen in the leg and spider veins are the smaller, often red or blue colored veins


Extend leg and dorsiflex foot affected

Wear support or elastic stockings

Rest in a sim’s position or on the back with the legs raised against the wall or elevated on a footstool for 15-20 mins.

Avoid prolong standing and sitting

Avoid wearing round garters

4. Heartburn/ Pyrosis

A painful burning sensation in the chest caused by gastroesophageal reflux


Take small, frequent meals

Refrain from taking indigestible fatty and spicy food

Maintain an upright position

Refrain from taking gas forming food

5. Constipation

Defined having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week.


Increase fluid intake

Increase roughage or bulk in the diet

Defecate regularly

Have regular exercise

Mild laxatives is the last resort as prescribe by doctor

6. Hemorrhoids

Refers to a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed

Nursing intervention/ Prevention

Prevention; avoid straining when defecating

Avoid spicy food

Warm water sitz baths may be tried to help promote comfort

Prolapsed hemorrhoids are lubricated and may be replaced gently

Knee- chest position

7. Headache

Nursing Intervention

- change in the position slowly

- apply cool cloth to forehead

- analgesic as prescribe

- avoid eye strain

8. Pedal Edema/ Swelling of the leg9. Uterine contractions/ Braxton Hicks10. Difficulty of sleeping11. Shortness of breathing12. Supine Hypotension Syndrome/ Vena Cava Syndrome / Faintness

preventing common discomfort during pregnancy

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