Home remedies for pregnancy woes

There are multiple types of medicines for almost all pregnancy conditions. For those of you, who prefer to skip unnecessary medicine, here is a list of home remedies for the main problems you might suffer from during pregnancy.

Morning sickness

This pregnancy woe is probably the most common and cliché of all pregnancy symptoms. Because of this, there are a ton of home remedies that supposedly cure the nausea and vomiting including crackers, soda water, ginger ale, and even different teas. If none of these tricks work for you, try mint gum. Mint has been known to settle an upset stomach. Chewing gum not only gives you something to do to take your mind off the queasiness, but also produces saliva which aids in the cure.

Constipation

Constipation is a terrible condition that plagues many pregnant women, but unfortunately there are only a few home remedies for this one. Ladies, you can take laxatives or stool softeners, but some are not safe during pregnancy and only offer temporary relief. For a more permanent cure, stay hydrated and be sure to eat a fiber rich diet. Also, occasionally skipping a prenatal (which are loaded with iron which can cause constipation), may provide some relief.

Heartburn

Since heartburn is another very common symptom of pregnancy, you will have multiple choices at your fingertips to soothe the burn (both medicine and home remedies). As far as home remedies go, saltine crackers, ginger ale, and mint gum have been known to provide relief. Milk has been a miracle cure for me personally, providing relief almost immediately. As a last resort, one teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a tall glass of water works wonders…if you can keep it down.

Headache

First of all, if you are suffering from chronic headaches, it can be a sign of a more serious issue that needs to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Please talk to your doctor if you experience chronic headaches. If everything checks out and you just happen to be unlucky enough to get headaches for no reason, you have two choices. You can either take Tylenol every four hours or you can try a home remedy. A lot of times, a headache is a sign of dehydration, which is common in pregnancy. I recommend ensuring that you are fully hydrated, as this will cure most headaches. If water isn’t doing the trick, try resting in a dark cool room, placing a cool wash cloth on your forehead or researching your pressure points.

Sleepiness

Sleepiness affects almost every pregnant woman, especially in the first trimester. This is for good reason; your body is working over-time to create your little miracle! Rest as much as you can, but if you can’t seem to wake up no matter what, try a Vitamin B complex. Also, get some fresh air, and try to get some light exercise. As ironic as it sounds, light exercise will not tire you out, but instead will give you a burst of energy.

Sleeplessness

With all the changes in your body right now, sleep can be hard to attain at any point, especially during the last month. Between bathroom breaks, a large stomach, and even heartburn, sleeping through the night becomes a distant memory. Instead of sleep aides, which can be unsafe during pregnancy, try calming tea, a warm bath before bed, keeping the bedroom at ideal temperatures, and plenty of pillows to prop yourself up wherever necessary. Also, to ensure your bedroom is the ideal sleeping environment, try to eliminate most activity in your bedroom besides sleeping and making love. Doing this will train your brain to associate your bedroom with sleep.

Swelling

Just like with chronic headaches, extreme swelling can be a sign of a more serious problem and needs to be discussed with a doctor. However, slight swelling is completely normal and to be expected, especially when you get closer to your due date. The main home remedy for this ailment is rest. Easier said than done sometimes, I know, but it truly will bring down swelling. Rest with legs elevated as much as possible. Also, ironically drinking lots of water will prevent swelling.

Itching

Due to skin stretching, different hormones circulating your body, and the chemical balance changing, you may experience irritated skin, which can cause itching. Some women will turn to the immediate relief of prescribed medicine, but there are plenty of home remedies to cure this issue as well. A milk bath, oatmeal scrub, lots of lotion, baby oil, a damp wash cloth, and even changing soaps might all provide relief. Also, please know that as hard as it is to avoid scratching sometimes, this actually will irritate the skin even more. So if you scratch your skin, it will become itchier and itchier.

Back pain

Back pain is another ailment that plagues most pregnant women. If you are trying to avoid medicine, try heat pads, warm baths, or massages. Also, as hard as it may be with that big belly, try to keep a good posture. Yoga, light exercise, or even just stretching will help out immensely as well.

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is apparently very common among pregnant women due to circulation changes, as well as swelling. However, I never personally experienced it, nor was I even really aware of it until my current pregnancy. It’s horrible and makes sleeping next to impossible. After suffering a few nights, I researched and found that heat almost miraculously cures the annoyance. Heating pads or even placing a small heater near your legs is recommended, but my suffering was eased just by placing an extra warm blanket over my legs and feet. If these home remedies are not relieving you at all, remember that medicine is there for a reason. There is no need to suffer when you can take something for what ails you. However, also remember that although you may be miserable now, it’s for a very short time and you will get instant relief as soon as the baby comes.

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Written by

Christy Rasmussen

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