Ultimate, Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting Guide. Lilian Paramor

of the leg, sensitive skin and limited range of motion in the foot.

      •The softening of ligaments due to increased progesterone levels may lead to a slump in posture, placing pressure on the sciatic nerve.

      •In pregnancy, the body’s centre of gravity changes, further contributing to compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve.

      •Occasionally inflammation of this nerve may be caused by other conditions and chronic sciatica can lead to loss of muscle power and size.

      Self-help tips:

      ✓Good muscle tone will help prevent the onset of sciatica.

      ✓Rest frequently while symptoms are acute to help alleviate inflammation of the nerve.

      ✓Massage the affected area with arnica oil to help relieve pain, inflammation and the burning ache.

      ✓Wear a pregnancy band to support the entire abdominal and lower back region, contributing to less pressure and better posture.

      ✓Take the tissue salt Ferrum phos to relieve inflammation and burning pain, and Kali phos and Mag phos for soothing nerve pain, repairing nerves and treating muscle cramps.

      See your midwife or doctor:

      If symptoms persist or are unbearable.

      6.Stiff, painful joints

      More about it:

      •This is often caused by excessive weight gain, especially if the hip, knee and foot joints are most affected.

      •Pregnancy water retention may decrease mobility of the joints.

      •Stretched ligaments may add to discomfort felt in the joints.

      •Discomfort is mostly worse on rising in the morning and improves once the day has warmed and with movement.

      •Pain is usually worse in the second half of pregnancy.

      •It may rarely be related to a more serious auto-immune condition.

      Self-help tips:

      ✓Avoid foods that are acidic or cause acidity (too much red meat, cheese, yoghurt, pickles and alcohol).

      ✓Ensure you do moderate but regular light exercise.

      ✓Alternate rest and movement.

      ✓Use the advice given for swelling later in this chapter.

      ✓Take the tissue salt Nat phos to help balance the body’s pH and Ferrum phos for burning or throbbing pain and inflamed joints.

      ✓Apply warmth to the affected joints to soothe pain.

      See your midwife or doctor:

      If pain persists or becomes worse.

      7.Headaches

      More about it:

      •Generally, if headaches occur early in pregnancy, they’re not serious. Pregnancy supplements are sometimes the cause.

      •Try to avoid taking medication, but if you’re desperate take half a dose of paracetamol.

      Self-help tips:

      ✓Take the tissue salt Mag phos at least three times a day, followed by a warm drink.

      ✓If anxiety underlies the headaches, take a homeopathic remedy for stress and anxiety.

      ✓Avoid caffeine and rich, fatty foods.

      ✓Maintain a good posture.

      See your midwife or doctor:

      If you get headaches in the second half of pregnancy, it may be more serious, so have your blood pressure checked, especially if you find that you are swelling a lot, experience nausea, are short of breath or have visual disturbances.

      8.Braxton Hicks contractions

      More about it:

      •Braxton Hicks are rhythmic contractions of the muscular wall of the uterus (womb) without being in labour, and are often referred to as “practice pains”.

      •They may be very short or up to 15 minutes of abdominal wall tightening might be felt.

      •They may be experienced as irritability rather than pain or might be quite intense.

      •Anxious and tense women and those whose abdominal muscles are very toned experience more Braxton Hicks contractions.

      •Baby’s every movement may trigger a Braxton Hicks contraction, especially in the third trimester.

      Self-help tips:

      ✓Rest regularly.

      ✓Take a warm bath for rapid relief.

      ✓Massage your abdomen gently with a light oil.

      ✓Take a safe homeopathic remedy if you’re prone to anxiety and have a low pain threshold.

      See your midwife or doctor:

      If you have simultaneous vaginal bleeding and contractions.

      MUCOUS MEMBRANE MISERY

      Due to the increase in circulating blood volume in your body during pregnancy, all mucous membrane covered areas become moist and puffy, are more fragile and are consequently more prone to bleeding. The most common complaint is a blocked nose.

      More about it:

      •This is very common due to the increased blood and fluid levels. It might seem like you have a head cold, an allergy or sinusitis, without this being the real problem.

      •If your pregnancy diet has changed to include more dairy and grain products, this might be the cause as these foods often produce mucus.

      Self-help tips:

      ✓Take a homeopathic mucus remedy or the tissue salts Nat mur and Nat sulph to help regulate fluid balance in body tissues and to relieve blocked nasal passages.

      ✓Use antihistamine sprays with caution as they are often not safe during pregnancy.

      ✓Substantially reduce dairy and grain products in your diet.

      See your midwife or doctor:

      •If you feel ill or have a fever.

      •If the blocked nose is accompanied by severe or persistent nose bleeds, because cauterisation of a small blood vessel in your nose may be necessary.

      •If you have a chronic or bad headache, because your blood pressure should to be checked.

      CIRCULATION SYSTEM NIGGLES

      The network of blood vessels in your body is far more extensive during pregnancy to support your growing baby. In addition, your blood volume increases by between 40% and 50%. Increased progesterone levels also relax the smooth muscle layer of the blood vessel walls, and more effort is needed for blood to circulate in your body. This increased burden on the heart and the body as a whole has wide-ranging effects, mostly not serious although warning signs should be heeded.

      There are three main pregnancy conditions related to the circulatory system:

      1.Swelling

      More about it:

      •Moderate water retention is quite common in areas like the hands and feet due to the extra blood volume of pregnancy.

      •As pregnancy progresses, many women are less mobile, making circulation less efficient and swelling more likely.

      •The extra pressure in your abdominal area exerted by the growing uterus and baby may keep blood from flowing efficiently to and from your legs, and this can lead to swelling of your feet and ankles.

      •A