5 Ways To Take Pain Out Of Pregnancy

Being pregnant is golden but it comes with diversified pains and discomforts. Some may be fleeting, some more permanent. Some may occur in the early weeks, while others emerge closer to the time of delivery. Others may appear early and then go away, only to return later. They are all a normal part of pregnancy. Every woman's pregnancy is unique, so you may not experience all of the changes described in this article. As always, if you notice any changes that concern you, mention them to your health care provider. You will be acquainted with common causes of pregnancy pains and how to take them out of your life in the succeeding article below : [nextpagelink][/nextpagelink] Those pains are triggered by your changing, growing body and the “50% increase in blood volume to all those circulating hormones and the extra weight you’re putting on,” says Suzanne Trupin, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Illinois. The result: aches, twinges and cramps all over. Here are doctor-recommended tips on how to handle them. 1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Blame anatomy for the pain, numbness, tingling or burning in your fingers, palm or wrists. “People have a ligament that’s like a bracelet around their wrists called the carpal tunnel, and through it runs the median nerve, which goes from the forearm into the hand,” Trupin says. “Swelling caused by weight gain and water retention puts pressure on this nerve.” Carpal tunnel can occur in one or both hands and the pain may get worse at night or in the morning. That’s because fluids accumulate in hands while sleeping. Another trigger: sleeping on hands or with them flexed, says Trupin. Pain Rx: Wear a wrist brace at night. “[That’s] the best way to relieve the pain,” Trupin says. And it keeps you from flexing your wrists for long periods while you snooze. Braces are available at drugstores. Stretch your hand muscles. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends this exercise: Curl your fingers into a fist and then bend your wrist toward your forearm. Next, straighten fingers and stretch your wrist in the other direction. Do 10 repetitions at least once a day. [nextpagelink][/nextpagelink] Take computer breaks. The repetitive motion of typing and clicking a mouse may aggravate pain, because hands weren’t designed to perform the same motions for long periods. Take breaks every 1-2 hours to prevent overuse. If you have an adjustable keyboard, position it so you’re not bending wrists and compressing the nerve when you type. Cut back on salt. Reduce water retention by eating natural diuretic foods like grapefruit and asparagus. (Taking diuretic pills, aka “water pills,” during pregnancy isn't recommended because some animal studies suggest they may cause harmful side effects.) “Less swelling may mean less pressure on the nerve,” Trupin says. [nextpagelink][/nextpagelink] 3. Leg Cramps These oh-so-painful muscle contractions are common in the second and third trimesters, often occurring at night and lasting a few minutes. They're triggered by fluid build-up combined with the hormone progesterone, says Jill Maura Rabin, M.D., associate professor of clinical obstetrics & gynecology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y. Pain Rx: Stretch before bed. To relax contracting muscles, straighten the leg and flex the ankle and toes slowly toward your body several times. Apply heat. A heating pad or hot-water bottle can loosen muscles and improve circulation, preventing cramps, Trupin says. Take deep breaths. “Sometimes cramps are caused by anaerobic respiration – a lack of oxygen in the muscles,” Rabin says. “Deep breathing can help.” [nextpagelink][/nextpagelink] Pregnancy hormones are a factor too, relaxing ligaments and causing a sway back, she says. Pain Rx: Watch your weight: Doctors advise women to gain no more than 35 pounds because too much extra weight adds to the load on your back. Wear shoes with good arch support. “Get rid of the flip-flops, since they have terrible support and are even worse for feet than high heels,” Trupin says. High heels can also throw off your posture, straining the back. Lift correctly. This means squatting down, bending at the knees (not the waist), keeping your back straight, and lifting with your arms (not your back). Support your back when sitting. Place a firm cushion, small pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back. (Don’t sit on backless chairs or stools.) Sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs. This adds back support and takes pressure off your back, Trupin says. Do back exercises. Here’s one recommended by the ACOG: Sit on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and hands clasped in front of you. Twist your upper body to the left until your hands touch the floor, pause and repeat on the right side. Do about 5 reps. Read more , Check It Here: Image Source: Praveen Kumar