Tip
Eat small meals and snacks. Avoid greasy or highly seasoned foods, as well as coffee and carbonated drinks. Do not lie down after eating. Also, try elevating your head at bedtime. Drink fluids between meals, rather than with meals. Check with your doctor before taking antacids.
Hemorrhoids
Remember how hormones can slow down your digestive tract and cause constipation? They can also cause hemorrhoids, the painful, swollen veins around the rectum that often itch and bleed.
Skin Changes
Your body is now producing extra oils, which can give you the "glow" of pregnancy. Or cause you to break out. You may also develop spidery red lines on your face, neck, arms and chest, when the extra blood flow in your body causes tiny blood vessels to swell.
Tip
Be sure to wash your face often, and treat breakouts as you normally would. And know for better or worse, your skin will return to normal after your pregnancy.
Vaginal Discharge
You can expect a thin, whitish discharge to start now and increase throughout your pregnancy. You may also experience some itching.
Tip
Wear cotton-crotch underwear and wash daily with water.
Varicose Veins
Though mainly hereditary, varicose veins are aggravated by pregnancy factors like weight gain, decreased blood circulation, and the weight of the baby in your pelvic region.
Tip
Put your feet up as much as possible. Don't cross your legs. Try exercise if it's okay with your doctor. And consider wearing support pantyhose.
Try Some Safe Exercise Techniques
Frequent Urination
As your uterus increases in size, it puts more pressure on your bladder.
Tip
Stop drinking fluids a few hours before bedtime.
Breast Tenderness
The surge of hormones in your body may cause tenderness in your breasts.
Tip
Wear a supportive bra, like an athletic bra, even at night if necessary.