<font color="ff0000">Congrats to all new MTBs!!</font>
<font color="0077aa">Here's some common pregnancy problems:
Often pregnancy brings with it some of these troublesome conditions. Here are some of the more common pregnancy problems and how to deal with them.</font>
<font color="ff0000">Anaemia</font>: If you find yourself tiring easily, chances are that you are anaemic. Apart from the iron pills from your doctor, eat plenty of green vegetables, lean red meat, dried fruits and nuts as a natural source of iron. Iron supplements may cause constipation
<font color="ff0000">Backache</font>: Sleep on a firm mattress. Maintain good posture standing straight and not slouching when sitting. Keep to low-heeled shoes to avoid adding further strain to your back.
<font color="ff0000">Morning sickness</font>: Take smaller meals instead of three big ones. Nibble on plain biscuits when you are feeling hungry. Try some ginger or ginger ale which is supposed to quell the nausea. Avoid spicy foods and strong smells.
<font color="ff0000">Frequent urination</font>: Your baby is pressing on your bladder causing frequent urination. At night, lessen your fluid intake so that your sleep will not be broken by trips to the loo.
<font color="ff0000">Breathlessness</font>: Your uterus pushes up the diaghragm and your lungs have less room to expand fully. You find yourself becoming more breathless because of this. To help you breathe better when lying down, prop yourself up with pillows to raise your head and shoulders.
<font color="ff0000">Constipation</font>: Pregnancy hormones relax the gut, so food passes through the system more slowly. To help your bowel movements going, eat more fibre, get plenty of fluids and do some light exercise going for a stroll after dinner.
<font color="ff0000">Cramps</font>: You may find yourself experiencing cramps in your legs or feet. Calcium tablets may help. Or include a little more salt to your diet but check with your doctor before you do this.
<font color="ff0000">Fainting</font>: Many women get fainting spells especially in the first trimester because of the poorer blood circulation to the brain because of the increased progesterone. You can help yourself by moving your legs to keep the blood flowing. When seated or lying down, and you need to get up do so slowly.
<font color="ff0000">Haemorrhoids/piles</font>: These can be made worse if you constipate. Labour often aggravates them. Most times, they should subside after you have given birth. If not, let your doctor know and he may prescribe suppositories or ointment to shrink them. To help yourself, drink more water and include more fibre in your diet.
<font color="ff0000">Heartburn</font>: Because of the baby pushing on your stomach, this may cause the digestive juices from the stomach to back up into your throat area, causing heartburn. Tell your doctor if it gets unbearable. He may prescribe you drugs to safely prevent it. For some people, drinking a glass of milk helps prevent it.
<font color="ff0000">Water retention</font>: You may find your ankles, feet and hands becoming very swollen. This is caused by water retention. You can try to minimise this by reducing your salt intake and putting your feet up whenever you get the chance.
<font color="ff0000">Rashes</font>: Some pregnant find themselves getting rashes especially under the breast and in the groin area. Avoid tight fitting clothes and go for cotton underwear.
<font color="ff0000">Tiredness</font>: This is normal, especially in the first and last trimester. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, and if possible, take a nap during the day.