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Some '''common maternal complaints during pregnancy''' are detailed on this page. Please note that a number of treatments recommended on this page are methods of minimizing, not alleviating, discomfort.  

Some '''common maternal complaints during pregnancy''' are detailed on this page. Please note that a number of treatments recommended on this page are methods of minimising, not alleviating, discomfort.  

==Heartburn==

==Heartburn==

''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - increased motility time through gut increases water absorption and therefore hardens stools (due to increased levels of progesterone which relaxes intestinal muscles) and mechanical compression of rectum by expanding uterus

''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - increased motility time through gut increases water absorption and therefore hardens stools (due to increased levels of progesterone which relaxes intestinal muscles) and mechanical compression of rectum by expanding uterus

''How can it be treated'' - increased fluid and fibre intake, increased exercise, laxatives in extreme cases

''How can it be treated'' - increased fluid and fiber intake, increased exercise, laxatives in extreme cases<ref>[http://www.babycenter.com/0_constipation-during-pregnancy_836.bc Constipation During Pregnancy: BabyCenter.com]</ref>

==Nausea==

==Nausea==

''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - higher levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotrophin, gastric reflux, changes in gastrointestinal tract motility, primarily occurs in first 16 weeks

''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - higher levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotrophin, gastric reflux, changes in gastrointestinal tract motility, primarily occurs in first 16 weeks

''How can it be treated'' - eating small meals, drinking often but in small amounts, rest

''How can it be treated'' - eating small meals, drinking often but in small amounts, rest<ref>[http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/pregnantnausea.htm NetDoctor: Morning Sickness and Nausea During Pregnancy]</ref>

==Abnormal Urinary Output==

==Abnormal Urinary Output==

''How is it aggravated during pregnancy'' - there are a number of factors at work, including an increased glomerular filtration rate (increases by 50%), anatomical compression of the bladder (eased when uterus lifts higher in the abdominal cavity) and the bladder becoming more irritable due to hyperaemia (increased blood flow, ~30%). The excretion of sodium at night, heightened due to the trapping of ions in the lower body due to venous pressure (which is relieved by lying down) explains why frequency increases moreso at night.

''How is it aggravated during pregnancy'' - there are a number of factors at work, including an increased glomerular filtration rate (increases by 50%), anatomical compression of the bladder (eased when uterus lifts higher in the abdominal cavity) and the bladder becoming more irritable due to hyperaemia (increased blood flow, ~30%). The excretion of sodium at night, heightened due to the trapping of ions in the lower body due to venous pressure (which is relieved by lying down) explains why frequency increases moreso at night.

''How can it be treated'' - drinking less water at night

''How can it be treated'' - drinking less water at night<ref>[http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/preg_frequent_urination.htm Womens Health Care Topics: Frequent Urination]</ref>

==Varicose Veins==

==Varicose Veins==

''What causes it'' - failure of blood to return to heart, due to weak cardiac output or weakened veins which fail to prevent backflow of blood

''What causes it'' - failure of blood to return to heart, due to weak cardiac output or weakened veins which fail to prevent backflow of blood

''How is it aggravated by pergnancy'' - progesterone weakens valves and dilates veins, mechanical compression of uterus on iliac vein and inferior vena cava

''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - progesterone weakens valves and dilates veins, mechanical compression of uterus on iliac vein and inferior vena cava

''How can it be treated'' - avoid supine position (elevate legs), exercise regularly, drink water

''How can it be treated'' - avoid supine position (elevate legs), exercise regularly, drink water

''Are there any associated complaints'' - yes

''Are there any associated complaints'' - yes

* swelling of ankles and feet (also due to reduction in colloid osmotic pressure)

* swelling of ankles and feet (also due to reduction in colloid osmotic pressure)

* haemorrhoids (varicosation of rectal veins, aggravated by expanding uterus and gut (due to reduced motility)

* hemorrhoids (varicosation of rectal veins, aggravated by expanding uterus and gut (due to reduced motility)

* fainting (due to reduced cardiac output and a drop in blood pressure, lowering the upper body produces a reflex that restores normal circulation)

* fainting (due to reduced cardiac output and a drop in blood pressure, lowering the upper body produces a reflex that restores normal circulation)<ref>[http://www.babycenter.com/0_varicose-veins-during-pregnancy_271.bc BabyCenter.com: Varicose Veins During Pregnancy]</ref>

==Amaenia==

==Anemia==

''What is it'' - lowering of concentration of red blood cells, which in turn reduces the concentration of oxygen in the blood

''What is it'' - lowering of concentration of red blood cells, which in turn reduces the concentration of oxygen in the blood

''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - during pregnancy there is an increase in total blood volume of around 1.5L (40%), however plasma levels increase more than red blood cell mass (45% vs. 30%). This results in what is known as dilutional amaemia (the haemocrit, or concentration of red blood cells in plasma, falls from 40% to 31%).  

''How is it aggravated by pregnancy'' - during pregnancy there is an increase in total blood volume of around 1.5L (40%), however plasma levels increase more than red blood cell mass (45% vs. 30%). This results in what is known as dilutional anemia (the hematocrit, or concentration of red blood cells in plasma, falls from 40% to 31%).  

''How can it be treated'' - taking iron supplements, which aids the production of red blood cells

''How can it be treated'' - taking iron supplements, which aids the production of red blood cells

''Are there any associated conditions'' - dyspnoea (shortness of breath) due to the reduction in oxygen carry capabilities of the blood

''Are there any associated conditions'' - dyspnea (shortness of breath) due to the reduction in oxygen carry capabilities of the blood<ref>[http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_1049.asp March of Dimes: Anemia During Pregnancy]</ref>

==Body Pains==

==Body Pains==

''What causes them'' - compression due to the expansion of the uterus and an alteration in posture and the mother's centre of gravity which puts strain on muscles and the spine

''What causes them'' - compression due to the expansion of the uterus and an alteration in posture and the mother's centre of gravity which puts strain on muscles and the spine

''What can be done to treat it'' - good posture, providing support while resting[

''What can be done to treat it'' - good posture, providing support while resting<ref>[http://www.justmommies.com/articles/cramping_during_pregnancy.shtml JustMommies: Cramping During Pregnancy]</ref>

==Gingivitis==

==Gingivitis==

''How does pregnancy aggravate it'' - increased blood flow to the mouth increases the inflammatory response, can be affected by vomiting

''How does pregnancy aggravate it'' - increased blood flow to the mouth increases the inflammatory response, can be affected by vomiting

''How can it be treated'' - proper dental care can reduce bacterial infection which in turn can reduce inflammation and long term damage

''How can it be treated'' - proper dental care can reduce bacterial infection which in turn can reduce inflammation and long term damage<ref>[http://www.essortment.com/all/pregnancygingiv_rvfx.htm Essortment.com: How to prevent gingivitis during pregnancy]</ref>

==Gestational Diabetes==

==Gestational Diabetes==

''How does pregnancy aggravate it'' - placenta produces human placental lactogen, which increases peripheral insulin sensitivity

''How does pregnancy aggravate it'' - placenta produces human placental lactogen, which increases peripheral insulin sensitivity

''How can it be treated'' - low sugar diet and regular exercise, insulin injections in some cases

''How can it be treated'' - low sugar diet and regular exercise, insulin injections in some cases<ref>[http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/ American Diabetes Association]</ref>

==See Also==

==See Also==