At the first trimester of pregnancy, a lot of red blood cells are used for the fetal development so for you who has an anemia history will increase more than the other pregnant women. In Indonesia seven out of ten pregnant women experience anemia, either from before pregnancy or from the pregnancy itself. The increase happens at the second trimester of pregnancy, one of them is because of unbalanced eating pattern at the first trimester which is caused by health issues such as denial of food intake because of the decrease of appetite, nausea and morning sickness. Whereas at the beginning of pregnancy iron is needed two times than usual, the lack of nutrition is a considered factor. The amounts of calories, protein, fat, vitamin and mineral have to be fulfilled. Besides for you who are experiencing repeated pregnancy in a short period of time have high risk of anemia, this happens because the reserved iron is used again before you recover from the past pregnancy. Teenage pregnancies have high risks also and in pressured conditions (stress) before and during pregnancy.

 The growing uterus takes effect on the gravitation, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changes your body posture and gives pressure on your back. This can also cause back pain if it suppresses your nerve. Besides, weight gain also affects your muscles to work even harder that causes stress on joints, and your back may even hurts more at night.

Cramps could happen a few times during pregnancy. It is not dangerous for both the mother and the baby, but in some cases cramps indicate that there are some serious problems in pregnancy that could endanger both the mother and also the baby. Cramps could happen on pregnant ladies no matter how far along you are in the pregnancy. If the cramps come often and cause severe pain, contact your doctor immediately to make sure your pregnancy is fine.

Back pain during pregnancy is not a shocking thing, but still needs some of your attention. You can consider these 7 ways to cope with back pain during pregnancy - starting from physical activity and good postures to additional therapies. Back pain during pregnancy is not a new thing either because it’s something very common for pregnant women. When you get pregnant, you will also gain weight and your hormones will loosen the muscles and ligament in your whole body. But you don’t have to worry because in general back pain during pregnancy can be avoided and even be treated. You can consider these 7 ways to overcome your back pain.

Pregnancy will trigger many changes in a female’s body, especially in her uterus. Before pregnancy, a woman rarely realizes her uterus condition, but during her pregnancy, a woman will be more sensitive about the changes and stretching in her body. Fetus movement that feels like it’s sliding in her uterus is not something that you should be worry about, but it is a sign that the fetus is developing really well. But if you feel sharp pain or other suspicious symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy is a whole new level of every woman’s life in the whole world. When a woman expects a baby, she gets to expect new changes in herself too, either physical, mentality, and hormonal. Because of these changes, a pregnant woman experiences new things too. Either she wants it or not, she has to get through this phase. These new experiences are not always fun, like when the baby kicks the mother’s stomach, but things that bother you like itchy skin and morning sickness. Actually itch that happens during pregnancy is normal. Usually happens at the third trimester.

To overcome problems that happen during pregnancy is something that pregnant women need to know. Thus a pregnancy would not be something that tortures pregnant women, but instead would be something fun. Here are some problems that happen during pregnancy and the tips to overcome them.

Nausea and Morning Sickness

Nausea and morning sickness are the most common things for pregnant women, especially during the beginning of pregnancy or at the first trimester. Nausea and morning sickness are caused by hormonal change that happen to pregnant women. Besides nausea and morning sickness could also happen if a pregnant woman smells certain scents.

Even though nausea and sickness will be gone by themselves when the second trimester approaches, but you should beware of them. Nausea and sickness would cause lacking of good nutrition for both the mother and the baby she carries. The first trimester is a critical period where the fetus starts developing organs. If a fetus lacks certain nutrition, the development for perfect organs could fail. Besides, the fetus could also being born with weight under average. 

Tips :

• Eat in small portions but often, do not eat in big portions because it will cause nausea. Try to keep eating when your stomach feels good, try to eat 5-6 times a day in smaller portions and to avoid empty stomach.
• Avoid foods that contain a lot of fat, spices, too sour or spicy.
• Eat foods that contain a lot of carbohydrate and protein. Also consume a lot of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid foods that smell because it might make you nauseous and sick.
• Drink a cup of warm tea to overcome nausea and sickness.
• Take more fluids with drinking water, low fat milk, or fruit juices to replace the fluid that come out during sickness and also to avoid dehydration.
• Eat more foods that contain vitamin B6 such as bananas, avocado, rice, or cereals.

If nausea and sickness continue until the second trimester, consult about this to your doctor.

WHITISH DISCHARGE

Increased hormone during pregnancy could cause the production of vagina fluid, called lokore. This fluid is white, watery and doesn’t smell. This discharge is normal as long as it’s not much, changing color, smells, and itches or with any irritation. If so, then consult to the doctor.

Tips:

• Keep your vagina and vagina area clean.
• Don’t put on underwear that is too tight.
• Change your underwear as often as possible, especially if it feels damp/wet.
• Always wear dry and clean underwear.
• Wear underwear that is made of cotton or other materials that absorb sweat.

CONSTIPATION

Constipation happens because of the progesterone hormone increase. This hormone, besides loosens up the uterine muscles, also loosens up the muscles of the intestinal walls that causes constipation. But the advantage of this is better nutrition absorption during pregnancy.

Continuous constipation could cause hemorrhoids.

Tips:

• Drink a lot of water.
• Consume more foods that contain fibers such as vegetables and fruits.
• Work out often like walking or jogging

FREQUENT URINATION

Frequent urination during the start of pregnancy is caused by enlarged uterus that pushes the bladder and hormonal change that also causes increase in blood volume that makes the kidneys produce more fluids.

This situation will decrease in the second trimester because of the uterine growth to the stomach and starts again in the third trimester because of the fetus growth that pushes the bladder again.

Tips:

• Don’t ever hold your bladder, this could cause bladder infection.
• Don’t reduce your drinking portion, even though it makes you urinate a lot.
• Frequent urination could damp up your vagina area, keep it clean.

HEADACHES

Headaches happen to a lot of pregnant women are caused by physical factors; exhaustion, nausea, hunger and low blood pressure. And also emotional causes like tense and depression. Besides, increase of blood supply to the whole body could cause headaches when a pregnant woman changes position.

Tips:

• Take a rest if you have a headache.
• Avoid oppression or other problems that could lead into depression.
• Do not make sudden moves.
• Try to keep calm and relax.

If your headache gets worse and continues, go to the doctor as soon as possible. Bad headache during pregnancy is a pregnancy alarm.

SKIN CHANGE

Skin change is caused by melanocyte that causes darken skin. Then brownish lines will appear from the navel to lower area that is called linea nigra. Besides there is often some brownish on the face that is called chloasma or pregnancy mask.

Stretch marks happen because of excessive stretching, usually happens in abdomen are, upper thighs and breasts. These stretch marks could cause itchiness and cannot be avoided.

Besides, skin change also happens on the face, it gets oilier and could cause acnes.

Tips:

• Avoid scratching itchiness caused by stretch marks
• Keep your skin clean
• Eat more foods that contain protein and vitamin C

EXHAUSTION AND SLEEPINESS

Exhaustion and sleepiness on pregnant women are caused by hormonal change, also because some vital organs like kidneys, heart, and lungs, work more than before. These vital organs work not only for the mother’s needs, but also for the fetal development. The mother’s enlarged belly could also be a discomfort for the mother.

Tips:

• To reduce exhaustion, complete carbohydrate needs as the main source of energy.
• Eat foods that contain complex carbohydrate that are easily digested.
• If you feel exhausted, and if you are able to, take a rest.
• Don’t push yourself to keep doing activities, if you feel exhausted take a rest immediately.