46 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • FEBRUARY 15, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
Oh, baby! 5 unexpected (but common)
symptoms experienced during pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s
life, fi lled with countless physical,
emotional and lifestyle changes. Pregnant
women oft en do research, read books or
consult friends and family to determine
what to expect during those nine months
and how to best combat the symptoms
that may arise. While issues like morning
sickness and cravings are to be expected,
there are several uncomfortable, but common,
eff ects soon-to-be moms may be
less likely to anticipate.
“A woman is going to experience
numerous changes to her body during
pregnancy,” says Dr. Alyssa Dweck, an
OB-GYN, author and expert on women’s
health. “Although there is abundant
information about issues like backaches
and morning sickness, there are a number
of common symptoms women are less
inclined to talk about because they either
consider them taboo or embarrassing.”
While each woman’s pregnancy experience
will be unique, Dr. Dweck shares
some of the lesser-known, but common,
health nuisances to expect when expecting:
1. Constipation
Some common causes of constipation
among pregnant women include
increased progesterone levels, which
infl uences intestinal motility, increased
pressure from the growing uterus and the
recommended supplementation of iron.
To help diminish constipation, women
can try increasing their fi ber and fl uid
intake and limit iron supplements to
three times a week.
2. Yeast infections
Th e hormonal changes that come with
pregnancy oft en increase the chance
of developing a vaginal yeast infection.
However, according to a 2016 Danish
nationwide cohort study, even a single,
low dose of fl uconazole (the leading prescription
pill to treat yeast infections)
may increase miscarriage risk. Instead,
Dr. Dweck recommends MONISTAT 7
for vaginal yeast infections, as it relieves
symptoms four times faster and works
on more of the most common strains
of yeast than the prescription oral pill.
Nevertheless, women should always
check with their own healthcare provider
before using any treatment during pregnancy.
3. Heartburn
Heartburn and indigestion are most
frequent during the third trimester, as
the growing uterus places pressure on
the stomach and the muscle tone of the
esophagus relaxes. To help minimize
heartburn, eat smaller, more frequent
meals throughout the day, sit or stand
aft er a meal and avoid spicy, greasy and
fatty foods. OTC antacids are typically
safe, but it is important to speak to an
OB-GYN before taking.
4. Varicose veins
Many women develop varicose veins
during pregnancy. As blood volume
increases and the uterus enlarges, additional
pressure is put on the veins in the
pelvis, lower extremities and the rectal
area. Elevate the legs to improve circulation,
avoid sitting or standing in the
same position for extended lengths of
time and try to exercise regularly, if possible.
5. Body and facial hair growth
Hair is likely to grow faster and thicker
during pregnancy on places other than
just the head. Higher levels of estrogen
extend the growth phase of hair, leading
to less shedding and denser locks. Safe
ways to get rid of these unwanted hairs
during pregnancy include tweezing, waxing
and shaving.
Regardless of whether a result of pregnancy
is considered normal, pregnant
women should readily consult their
OB-GYN if they experience any changes
or if they are looking for treatment
solutions. Th ough health nuisances are
bound to pop up during pregnancy, there
are simple solutions to combat them
so women can make the most of this
wonderful time and prep for the arrival
of baby. For more information, visit
Monistat.com.
Courtesy BPT