Your Complete Guide to “Normal” Pregnancy Symptoms
Ah, pregnancy. A wonderous 40 weeks where your body is working in overdrive, creating new life. Nine months of watching your belly grow, feeling tiny flutters from within, daydreaming about the little person inside, and marveling at how incredible this experience truly is.
Ok, yes, pregnancy definitely has moments of beauty and bliss, but it’s also a time when you may feel like you are in a whole new body. You just feel “off.” New symptoms pop up every day, and all you need is confirmation that everything you’re feeling is “normal.” We’ve got you covered with 10 of the most common pregnancy symptoms and why you’re experiencing them.
Pregnancy Symptoms Explained
1. Nausea and Vomiting:
You can’t mention pregnancy without saying the dreaded words “morning sickness.” Research suggests that nausea and vomiting early in pregnancy indicate a rise in hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and estrogen.(1) Some women experience more intense nausea, while others can go through their entire pregnancy without any sickness at all.
If you are experiencing nausea and vomiting, call your midwife or doctor to rule out any serious health conditions. If everything looks good, anti-nausea medication may be available. If your symptoms are mild or you choose not to take medications, nausea can be kept at bay with the following at-home remedies:
Keep crackers, or another easy snack, next to the bed. Get something in your stomach before starting your day.
Eat small amounts of protein foods (nuts, yogurt, cheese, meat) every two hours throughout the day.
Try small amounts of a carbonated beverage like ginger ale.
Take a walk.
Add lemon or cucumber slices to your water.
2. Fatigue:
Much like morning sickness, hormone changes may lead to extreme fatigue during early pregnancy. To help with this exhausting reality, we suggest:
Adding a nap to your day every chance you get.
Taking light walks, especially if you can walk in the fresh air.
Making sure you are getting enough water. Dehydration can make you feel tired.
Talking to your midwife or doctor about vitamins and supplements.
3. Bloating and Constipation:
Thank your hormones again for these unpleasant symptoms. Progesterone is the culprit here, as it slows the movement of food and waste through your system.(1) Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep everything moving. Do not shy away from light exercise. Try going for a walk or gentle prenatal yoga to keep the bowels moving. You can always talk to your midwife about incorporating a daily magnesium citrate supplement to soften stools as well.
4. Hemorrhoids:
Combine lower blood circulation through the pelvis with constipation and increased pressure on the rectum and perineum, and you have the perfect recipe for hemorrhoids during pregnancy.(1) The key is to keep your stools soft and regular. Eat a high-fiber diet, including lots of fruits and vegetables, and be sure to drink plenty of fluids. To ease discomfort, soak a cotton round with witch hazel and tuck that near the hemorrhoids. Natural salves made with the plantain plant can help with irritation too. There are always over-the-counter medications, so talk to your midwife about what she recommends.
5. Heartburn:
Have you heard the old wives' tale that says if you have heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will be born with a lot of hair?
We cannot confirm that, but we can tell you that heartburn is a very common symptom, especially during the third trimester. The burning sensation in your chest occurs when the valve between your stomach and the esophagus are unable to prevent stomach acid from passing back into the esophagus.(1) Typically, the feeling is just a minor annoyance. But in some cases, heartburn prevents women from taking in enough food for a healthy pregnancy. If you are struggling with the unpleasantries of this symptom, start by keeping a food diary. Pay close attention to the foods that trigger your discomfort. Common culprits include:
Spicy foods
Sweet foods
Chocolate
Coffee
Dairy
Oily foods
To help manage heartburn, some women find relief by sipping milk, avoiding food or fluids an hour before bed, eating a couple of raw almonds throughout the day, chewing gum, staying propped up in bed, or even adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water 30 minutes before a meal. Heartburn usually goes away on its own once your baby is born, but we encourage you to talk to your midwife or healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your nutrition throughout pregnancy.
6. Increased Skin Pigmentation:
Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, stimulating a temporary increase in the amount of melanin your body produces.(2) It is common to develop patches of dark skin on your face, typically around your lips, nose, cheekbones, and forehead. You may even notice that already pigmented skin, like nipples, freckles, and scars, may get darker during pregnancy.(2) The most common area to darken is known as the “linea nigra.” This is the dark line that runs from your belly button to your pubic bone.
Be sure to wear sunscreen every day to help prevent further discoloration, but most cases of melasma will fade on their own after birth.
7. Insomnia:
There are so many reasons pregnancy can impact the quality of your sleep. Hormone changes may affect your muscles, causing snoring or sleep apnea, or you could just be battling frequent trips to the bathroom, nausea, heartburn, stress, and general discomfort.
To help you get some rest, try using additional pillows to prop you into comfortable positions, keep a shelf-stable snack by your bed, exercise during the day unless otherwise directed, meditate and relax your mind, and prioritize sleep time.
8. Back Pain:
Back pain in pregnancy typically occurs in the later months as your belly grows. But there are steps you can take to help ease the discomfort.
Visit a chiropractor who specializes in prenatal adjustments. Being in alignment during pregnancy helps with back pain, and sleep, and it's even thought to help reduce labor time.
Get a prenatal massage. Treat yourself!
Practice prenatal yoga. (Check out our social media for information about our weekly prenatal yoga classes.)
Maintain good posture.
9. Leg Cramps:
Leg cramps may be caused by changes in your circulation and pregnancy weight gain. Regardless, it’s shocking to be jolted up in the middle of the night by the dreaded “charlie horse.” Make sure you are getting enough water throughout the day, exercising regularly, always giving your legs a good stretch before bed, and increasing your calcium and magnesium intake. When a spasm does occur, gently stretch the affected muscle by flexing your foot until relieved, then rest with your legs elevated. (2)
10. Abdominal (round) Ligament Pain:
As the uterus grows and the baby gets heavier, the ligaments that support the uterus can get a little "fussy,” causing cramping and aching. Sometimes the slightest move can create a sharp pain. Try to rest as often as possible, enjoy prenatal yoga, and gently switch positions when sleeping or moving to allow your ligaments a longer time to stretch, bend or flex your hips if you know you are going to cough, sneeze, or laugh, and purchase a pregnancy belly band to help get some of the weight off your overworked ligaments.
When Something New Arises
Pregnancy is a time when you might feel out of control. But trust yourself. You know your body better than anyone. If something feels different or concerning, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. Most symptoms will fall into the “normal” category, but there are some red flags that always necessitate immediate attention:
Regular or painful contractions
Any vaginal bleeding
New onset of nausea or vomiting
Fever
New onset pain
Severe headache
Putting Your Mind at Ease
At Columbia Birth Center, we value our time with you during every prenatal appointment. Our compassionate staff provides individualized care and guidance that suits your medical situation, life circumstances, and preferences. We spend quality time talking, getting to know what activities you like, how you eat, whether you gravitate towards natural or lifestyle solutions, or if you prefer that we recommend a safe medical option for the discomforts you may experience.
So much of what we do is listening, and our desire is that you feel safe, heard, and cared for. Even if your symptoms are considered “normal,” we encourage you to bring ideas for how you can feel more at ease in your body during your pregnancy and beyond. This is your journey. Our role is to guide you through every option so you have the experience you deserve.
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