Posted on April 7, 2009 - by Marie

Is back pain or morning sickness killing you?

When you are pregnant, everyone wants to feel the belly. It’s like you are some glowing Oracle. Maybe you’re carrying some unborn fortune teller. Or maybe they just want to share in your bliss. Unfortunately, they are never around when the real fireworks start.

We’re talking about all those aches, pains, and surprising things your body does when you conceive.

Are we there yet?

A woman is pregnant for nine months. That’s nine months of her body having a mind of it’s own. While we are happy that a new life is growing inside, it is also scary when your body does things we’d rather it didn’t do. The first telltale sign of pregnancy is morning sickness. That’s just a fancy name for intense nausea and gut-wrenching vomiting spells. For some women, this unpleasant rite of passage is over after the first trimester. For others, it continues straight through to labor and delivery. There are some mothers that didn’t experience any morning sickness at all. Chewing on saltine crackers or sucking on a pregnancy lollipop if you feel like you want to retch may or may not help, but it’s worth a try when it seems like all you can do is throw up.

Have you ever had back pains? You’ll know it if you have. When your back hurts, nothing else seems to matter. As your abdomen enlarges, the strain on your back will increase and therefore back pains are a common ache for pregnant women. Always remember to sit straight. It’s easy to slump over if your belly is heavy. If your pains become unbearable, contact your health care provider right away.

Soothe that pain with a heating pad and use pillows to elevate your feet. Lie on your side when you sleep. If you lie facing the edge of the bed it will be easier to get up when you have to go to the bathroom. Women who continue to exercise during pregnancy can keep some of that back pain at bay due to the fact that strong core muscles help to eliminate the strain your growing uterus and baby are placing on the lower back.

There are even more symptoms! Did I mention going to the bathroom? As the baby grows and pushes on your bladder, you will think it’s only the size of a thimble for all the urine it holds. There is no easy fix for this short of catheterizing yourself. Sometimes you just got to go. Even if you feel like you’ve spent more time in the bathroom than out, don’t hold your urine. Doing so can cause more pain in the long run and if held too long or too often, you may find yourself with a urinary tract infection.

Then there’s the heartburn. Ease heartburn by eating slower and avoiding spicy meals. All of your organs are getting pushed upwards and shifted around which can cause reflux and pain. After eating, don’t lie down and keep the antacid nearby for quick relief when it becomes more than you can bear. This is important: If the signs of pregnancy are hard to bear and you feel frustrated, don’t be afraid to say it aloud. Most people understand your condition. If nothing else, vent a bit on the forums. It’ll help, I tell you.

Whether you have one, none, or all of the symptoms above - don’t fret. Look upon it as the price of a mother’s love and know that you are growing a wonderful miracle inside you. Thinking hopeful thoughts tend to make all the pain and suffering worthwhile. At best, it’ll guilt your husband into waiting on you hand and foot.

Image from flickr.

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Last 5 posts by Marie

• What happens in childbirth classes - April 23rd, 2009
• Exercise during pregnancy - April 15th, 2009
• How to find the right obstetrician - April 13th, 2009
• Planning a pregnancy - April 8th, 2009
• Are you ready for a baby? - April 6th, 2009