12 Most Embarrassing Pregnancy Problems
You expected the glowy skin and gorgeous bump -- probably not the itchy boobs or extra gas. Here, we've got the lowdown on everything you've been dying to ask about your most blush-worthy pregnancy issues.
1. I Fart and Burp All the Time.
The Cause: As the baby grows, space becomes tight in your belly. "Your bowels become crowded and your digestion may become more erratic, leaving you gassy and bloated," says Bayles. Plus, you may be eating differently (e.g., more healthfully) now that you're pregnant. All those good-for-you foods like apples, pears, cauliflower, beans, brussels sprouts, and broccoli can contribute to gassiness. Cravable foods like ice cream and greasy snacks may make you gassy, too. All that extra air has to escape from one end or the other.
The Relief: Eating smaller, more frequent meals often does the trick. It's also a good idea to avoid fatty foods like burgers and fried chicken, as well as carbonated soda -- especially ones with artificial sweeteners. A brisk, 20-minute walk after dinner (with your doctor's okay) can also stimulate digestion and relieve gas. For indigestion that keeps you up at night, try sleeping with your head propped up on an extra pillow or with your legs elevated to relieve some of the pressure on your intestines and to help you digest more easily. If none of this works, ask your doctor to recommend an anti-gas medicine.
When to Worry: Hey, passing gas and burping is normal for everyone -- pregnant women just seem to do it more often.
See our top suggestions for foods to eat when pregnant
The Cause: Blame it on your new cleavage. As you've probably noticed, your breasts and nipples are becoming super-sized in preparation for breastfeeding. As your breasts grow, the sensitive skin in this area stretches, which can trigger a persistent itch.
The Relief: Moisturize! "Dab a thick, emollient lanolin cream like Lansinoh on your nipples when you feel the need to scratch," suggests Sheri Bayles, RN, a New York City-based childbirth expert and creator of the Laugh and Learn childbirth education DVD series. Slathering on a cocoa butter or vitamin E body lotion after showering can keep your skin supple and prevent itching. It's also a good idea to avoid wearing potentially irritating fabrics like wool or cashmere blends. For extra comfort, swap the bras you're rapidly outgrowing for soft cotton nursing bras or camisoles with built-in support (you'll have to stock up in a few months anyway).
When to Worry: If you develop a rash or notice bloody discharge from one or both nipples, talk to your doctor. This could be a symptom of a bacterial infection or intraductal papilloma, a usually noncancerous condition, which account for most cases of bloody nipple discharge. In very rare cases, bloody discharge can be a sign of breast cancer, so your doctor may want to check it out.
3. I’m Throwing Up Everywhere.
The Cause: Welcome to the all-day-sickness club. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, while as many as 85 percent of women experience some degree of nausea during pregnancy, some expectant moms feel queasy around the clock. The verdict's still out on what exactly causes morning sickness, but experts believe it's linked to soaring levels of pregnancy hormones -- specifically estrogen and progesterone -- that hit you hardest in the first trimester.
The Relief: There's no one silver bullet for easing morning sickness for everyone, so you may have to try several strategies to see what works, says Dr. Greenfield. For early morning queasies, some moms-to-be swear by nibbling something light and bland, like saltines, before getting out of bed. Other remedies include sucking on ginger candy (the root is often effective as a nausea soother) or eating a light snack at bedtime to keep the tummy from becoming empty and unsettled overnight. As for puking in public, stow plastic bags and plenty of breath mints in your purse so you'll be prepared should a wave of nausea strike. You may also want to confide in a close friend at work, who can cover for you if you need to ditch a meeting or come in late. On the upside, most women start feeling better after 12 or 14 weeks. Trust us -- when the nausea finally lifts, you'll feel like a whole new person.
When to Worry: If you literally can't keep anything down, see your doctor because you could become malnourished or dehydrated. She may suggest you try an over-the-counter combo of vitamin B6 and the sleep aid Unisom, which has helped many women power through morning sickness. If that doesn't help, your doc may prescribe medication to get your symptoms in check.
See more morning sickness tips here
4. When I Sneeze, Cough or Laugh, I Pee Myself.
The Cause: Talk about loosening up. "When you're expecting, certain hormones signal your pelvic muscles to relax so you can eventually deliver your baby," explains Marjorie Greenfield, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Case School of Medicine and University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, and author of The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book. This makes you more prone to little leaks -- known as urinary incontinence -- while sneezing or giggling. What's more, during the second trimester, your growing baby starts to put pressure on your bladder, which resides right in front of your uterus. Many women experience some leaking during pregnancy, according to ACOG.
The Relief: Doing Kegel exercises (contracting your pelvic floor muscles as though you're trying to hold in your pee) in sets of 10, several times a day, can minimize the leakage by strengthening the muscles around your bladder. It also helps to take bathroom breaks every hour or two so your bladder doesn't get too full, Dr. Greenfield says. Try wearing a pad or panty liner late in your pregnancy to help absorb accidents.
When to Worry: If the condition gets worse or you experience pain or burning when you pee, see your doctor to rule out a bladder or urinary tract infection.
5. I Have a Dark Line Down My Belly and My Nipples Are Dark: What’s Up?
The Cause: Thank pregnancy hormones for this side effect. Increased estrogen levels boost the body's production of melanin, the natural substance that gives your skin pigment, resulting in your darkened nipples and "linea nigra," the line running down your tummy. You may also notice melasma -- dark splotches of skin on your face. These changes typically begin in the second trimester and tend to affect darker-complexioned women more noticeably.
The Relief: You really can't prevent the darkening, but slathering on sunscreen before you head outdoors can stop it from becoming worse. These pregnancy skin changes usually fade within a few weeks of giving birth, so try not to worry about them. In the meantime, if it embarrasses you, don't wear thin white shirts where the line can show through.
When to Worry: Don't.
Check out other pregnancy-related skin problems and solutions
6. The Constipation is Killing Me.
The Cause: Feeling like you're spending way too much time in the bathroom? You're not alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), most pregnant women get constipated at some point during their pregnancy. Soon after you conceive, ramped-up pregnancy hormones slow your digestive tract to a crawl (this allows more nutrients to be absorbed and passed on to your baby), which can throw off your digestion as early as eight weeks. Plus, over time, your growing baby also starts crowding your bowels, making it harder to process even tiny meals.
The Relief: Upping your fiber intake may get things moving, says Dr. Greenfield. Start eating more fresh fruit, veggies, beans, and whole grains. For a small change that can make a big difference, switch to a high-fiber cereal (like Kashi GOLEAN or Barbara's Bakery Ultima Organic High-Fiber Cereal). Also, remember to drink plenty of water. Guzzling prune juice (we know, ick) may do the trick, too. You could also talk to your doctor about trying a fiber supplement, like Metamucil, which is safe to take during pregnancy. If you're still uncomfortably backed up, your doctor may suggest a gentle laxative like Milk of Magnesia. Just be sure to avoid stimulant laxatives, such as Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, and castor oil, which can cause contractions.
When to Worry: Constipation is uncomfortable but rarely dangerous, so there's no need to stress. In very rare cases, untreated symptoms can lead to a fecal impaction, which your doctor will have to remove. Although this may be painful (and a little awkward) for you, it won't harm your baby.
7. Um, I Think I Have Hemorrhoids.
The Cause: Hemorrhoids are dilated blood vessels around the anus -- sort of like varicose veins in your butt, according to Dr. Riley. They may appear as itchy, burning bumps and occasionally they'll bleed, which is why blood in your stool or on toilet paper is one of the most common hemorrhoid symptoms. Many pregnant women suffer from hemorrhoids, since they're often caused by the baby's weight pressing on veins in the groin. And chronic constipation doesn't help, since it forces you to strain more during bowel movements, aggravating things even more.
The Relief: Keeping constipation in check is your best defense against hemorrhoid flare-ups. Sip lots of water and nosh on fiber-rich foods like high-fiber cereals or bran muffins. (See slide 3 for more tips.) When you experience an episode, keep the area clean and dry, and swab it with witch hazel pads to soothe the swelling, suggests Laura Riley, MD, director of labor and delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and author of You and Your Baby: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy. If they really hurt or don't seem to be getting better after a few days, your doctor may recommend a hydrocortisone cream to ease inflammation.
When to Worry: Hemorrhoids aren't dangerous to you or your baby, so there's no need to worry. However, you should let your doctor know if there's blood in your stool. He may want to rule out the extremely minuscule possibility of colon cancer.
8. All I Ever Think About is Sex.
The Cause: If you're feeling friskier than a kitten, there's good reason. First, there's increased blood flow to your nether regions (blood volume increases 40 to 50 percent during pregnancy), which can heighten your arousal and may even lead to more intense or multiple orgasms, says Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD, coauthor of Your Orgasmic Pregnancy: Little Sex Secrets Every HOT Mama Should Know. You can also chalk it up to your pregnant state of mind. "Sometimes there's an extra closeness between partners because of this amazing occasion you're sharing," says Dr. Greenfield. Or your libido may be in overdrive because this is the first time you've ever been able to enjoy sex as sex -- without worrying about getting pregnant or not getting pregnant, she says.
The Relief: Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, you're good to get it on. It's generally safe to enjoy whatever was on the menu pre-pregnancy. "If sex doesn't hurt you, then it doesn't hurt your baby," says Dr. Greenfield.
When to Worry: If you're experiencing complications like placenta previa, incompetent cervix, or are put on bed rest, it may not be safe to have sex, so check with your doctor. And -- not like you'd really be in the mood anyway -- but you should never have sex once your water has broken because it can lead to infection.
Learn more about pregnancy sex
9. My Breasts are Leaking!
The Cause: Leaky breasts are yet another sign that your body is getting baby-ready. "High levels of prolactin -- the hormone that preps your breasts for nursing -- at the end of pregnancy can sometimes cause fluid to leak from your nipples when they're stimulated," says Dr. Greenfield. Everyday things like showering, changing your clothes, or having sex can be enough to trigger sudden nipple secretions.
The Relief: You can't turn off the leakage, but you can prevent noticeable damp spots from appearing on your clothes. Stick nursing pads inside your bra to absorb the wetness. You'll need them in a few months anyway, when the baby comes. Extra perk: They'll also make your boobs look fuller.
When to Worry: If the leakage is bloody or foul-smelling, see your doctor to rule out a bacterial infection or intraductal papilloma, a usually noncancerous condition that accounts for most cases of bloody nipple discharge. In rare cases, bloody discharge can be an early warning sign of breast cancer, so your doctor should check it out.
10. My Acne is Worse Than It Was During Puberty
The Cause: Pregnancy -- and its roller-coaster hormones -- can be like nine long months of PMS for some women, triggering bumps and blemishes you haven't seen regularly since age 14.
The Relief: Studies have yet to determine the safety of over-the-counter acne products like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy (although prescription Accutane has been linked to birth defects and should never be used during pregnancy). The best thing to do is avoid them entirely and talk to your doctor about safe alternatives. She may recommend that you use a mild facial cleanser and a pore-clearing clay mask once a week. Luckily, the acne usually goes away shortly after delivery or when your hormones rebalance during pregnancy.
When to Worry: An acne outbreak is a bummer, but in the big picture, it's really nothing to sweat over. Use it as an excuse to splurge on a good concealer and cleansing products.
Skin Care Tips During Pregnancy
11. My Belly Button Pops Out So Much I Can’t Wear Tight Tops.
The Cause: That's just your body's way of making a little extra room for baby. "The stretching of your belly and the pressure from the baby inside can cause your belly button to stick out like a turkey timer," says Dr. Greenfield. The pop usually comes on slowly during the last trimester when your baby is at her biggest and most crowded.
The Relief: A protruding belly button doesn't hurt, though the skin may be sensitive when it rubs against your clothing. If it bothers you, wear a belly band that covers your belly button or stick a band-aid on it to prevent chafing and keep it from showing through your clothes. Your belly button should shrink back to normal shortly after your baby arrives.
When to Worry: A popped belly button is normal and no cause for alarm. In rare cases, an umbilical hernia can develop, which happens when a small part of the intestine pushes against the space around your belly button. So if you notice an extra little bulge around your navel, show it to your doctor. No need to panic if you do -- these types of hernias usually resolve on their own or only require a minor procedure to repair.
12. Pooping During Delivery: Really?!?
The Cause: To get that baby out, you're going to have to push hard -- and that means using the same muscles and bearing down the same way you go to the bathroom. (In fact, pushing like you have to poop is likely the direction you'll hear from the labor nurse.) Since there's no magical switch to ensure that baby comes out while everything else stays in, accidents can happen.
The Relief: Not every woman empties her bowels on the delivery table but when it happens, doctors and nurses really don't care. "Obstetricians are not squeamish people," assures Dr. Greenfield. In fact, if you do poop, it means you're doing the right thing and pushing correctly, says Dr. Riley. And delivery room nurses are prepared for this and will swoop in and discretely wipe away anything that comes out. Thanks to these quick cleanups and epidurals, many new mamas (and their delivery room guests) are blissfully unaware that anything but a beautiful baby came out.
When to Worry: You shouldn't.
Copyright © 2008 Meredith Corporation.
All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
Related Topics
