Ways To Relieve Discomfort During Pregnancy Dr. Kamini Jain March 6, 2023 Health & Beauty 257 The hope of receiving your bundle of joy after nine months of pregnancy makes the experience worthwhile. However, it’s not short of drawbacks. Pregnancy discomfort occurs due to physical changes in the woman’s body, which can be scary and unpleasant when pain is involved. The good news is that it’s manageable. You can alter your daily routines to adopt practices that help you easily carry your child with minimal discomfort. Here are ways to relieve discomfort during pregnancy: 1. Try Complementary Therapies Your body experiences several physical changes during pregnancy. Your growing uterus makes it challenging to sleep in the position you might have been used to all along. It also changes your back’s curvature, affecting your sitting or walking posture. All these changes may make you pretty uncomfortable, and you may experience pain in your back and limbs. The stretching of the ligaments on your spine could bring about discomfort. Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity and could cause some strains on your joints, causing pain. As you know, pain relief medication is often discouraged unless absolutely necessary. Taking pain relievers too frequently during pregnancy may cause unwanted complications. An excellent alternative to relieve joint discomfort and pain are non-invasive treatment. You can opt for chiropractic care during pregnancy if you have back discomfort. It involves a professional’s gentle manipulation of your limbs to relieve pain. Your pregnancy chiropractor may perform some exercises to align your ligaments, thus relieving the discomfort. They can also recommend lifestyle changes, including activities to manage your pain. The goal is to reduce stress on your backbone. An experienced chiropractor knows the exact areas to gently manipulate for pain relief. Remember, this isn’t something you’d want to try at home individually. You risk injuring yourself without the requisite know-how of what chiropractic care involves. Thus, it’s best to see a professional chiropractor. 2. Practice Good Posture As indicated earlier, pregnancy alters your center of gravity. Most women tend to lean back, thus increasing the pressure on their lower back and legs. The legs may sometimes get swollen, increasing back pain. All this discomfort arises from poor posture. To correct your posture, consider implementing the following strategies: Avoid locking your legs Don’t stand for too long Don’t tilt your pelvis forward or backward Keep your shoulder blades back and your chest forward Avoid lifting heavy objects When lifting off objects below your knees, keep your back straight and bend your knees instead When sitting, ensure you avoid staying in the same position for more than thirty minutes Maintaining good posture is essential for your own comfort during pregnancy. Given the additional load, you would want to care for your body while your baby grows inside you. 3. Have Frequent Massages Hip pain is common for pregnant mothers, especially those in their second and third trimesters. The pain can be on the pelvic girdle or in the hip, sometimes appearing suddenly and rapidly. However, hip pain is manageable. You can have your partner give your frequent massages to help release the pressure and pain in your hips. You can also hire a professional masseuse for a more thorough procedure. A massage can relax your muscles, potentially relieving stress and anxiety. However, you must consult your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you. 4. Watch What You Eat Food can also contribute to your discomfort. Pregnancy slows down digestion and can cause bloating. And coupled with the effect of changing hormones, you must watch the kind of food you eat. Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods to reduce constipation, as they ensure regular bowel movements. Fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, and they’re healthy for your diet. Alternatively, you can talk to your doctor to get fiber supplements. You’d also need to slow down on eating and take small portions frequently instead of a few heavy meals. Lastly, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. 5. Get Some Physical Exercise Regular exercise is a great way to stay healthy during pregnancy. Besides strengthening your body, physical activity helps with digestion. You’ll also keep your heart health in check. Additionally, your body gains strength to support your pregnancy and labor. Yoga can help you loosen tight hips. Specific poses have different benefits. For instance, the cat and cow poses are good for your back. Meanwhile, the bound angle and garland poses are excellent hip exercises. Therefore, ensure you incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. However, not all physical exercise is appropriate during your pregnancy. Avoid vigorous activities that make you overheat, like running, cycling, or hot yoga. You must also avoid contact sports like football, basketball, and dodgeball. You may also want to avoid exercises that increase the risk of falling, like skiing or horse riding. That said, you should consult your doctor on suitable activities during your pregnancy period. Hiring an instructor to guide you through the exercises is also advisable. This way, you avoid hurting yourself or the baby. 6. Dress Comfortably The type of clothes you wear during pregnancy contributes significantly to your comfort levels. For instance, you could feel discomfort with tight pants and belts. It’s best to change into loose-fitting clothes and maternity dresses. You should also ditch high heels, as they’ll affect your posture and balance. Ensure you wear comfortable shoes, especially if you’re going outdoors. Dressing comfortably ensures you can go through your day seamlessly and less stressed, which is good for you and your baby. 7. Sleeping Position Insufficient sleep can result in several complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. With limited sleeping positions during pregnancy, most expectant moms end up not having enough sleep. You can avoid discomfort by using a good sleeping position. For instance, you may need pregnancy pillows to support your back when sleeping on your side. You can also have one between your legs to stay comfortable through the night. Conclusion Every pregnant woman dreams of carrying her baby to full term and delivering successfully without complications. However, it might not be a seamless journey for everyone. You may have some discomfort and pain because of the bodily changes that occur to accommodate your baby’s growth. Luckily, it’s manageable. Work closely with your healthcare provider, as they can advise you on the right strategies to use whenever you feel uncomfortable. SHARE THIS POST