Symptoms of Pregnancy
During pregnancy, there are many symptoms you may experience. They range from physical pain to emotional and mental ones. These include headaches, fatigue, skin diseases, placenta, and umbilical cord development, increase in vaginal discharge, and Moodiness.
Increase in vaginal discharge
During pregnancy, vaginal discharge can vary in size, color, and odor. These changes are caused by fluctuating hormone levels in the body and can occur at any time during the pregnancy. If you have an unusual amount of discharge, talk to your healthcare provider to ensure that it is not caused by bacterial infection.
A sudden gush of discharge can be a sign of an amniotic fluid leak. This fluid surrounds the fetus in the uterus and can be a dangerous occurrence at any time during the pregnancy. It can be confused with urine, though.
You can use a home pregnancy test to find out if you are pregnant. If you have an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy, contact your midwife or a healthcare provider. You may want to try a panty liner to protect your uterus.
Your cervix softens during pregnancy. This increases the blood flow to the vaginal area and results in an increased amount of cervical fluid. As your pregnancy progresses, this fluid becomes heavier and more noticeable.
You should also be able to tell if you have an infection. Infections can lead to premature labor. Your discharge should be thick and whitish. If your discharge has a strong odor, it could be caused by a yeast infection.
Headaches
During pregnancy, headaches are not only uncomfortable, but they can also affect your mood and sleep. They can also cause nausea and changes in vision. If your headache persists, it’s important to visit your doctor.
Most of the time, a primary headache is not dangerous for either you or your baby. However, it can interfere with your sleep and eating habits. You can treat a headache with pain medication, massage, and relaxation techniques. You can also try to avoid caffeine.
If your headache becomes a chronic problem, you may be dealing with a migraine. You can also consider alternative medical treatments, such as water therapy, acupuncture, and prenatal massage. You should keep a diary to note your headache symptoms and triggers. This will help you recognize patterns and determine the best treatment.
Another common type of headache during pregnancy is a cluster headache. These usually occur on one side of the head and center around the eye. The pain may get worse with movement or light sensitivity. You may also experience swelling in the area.
If your pregnancy headaches are accompanied by nausea, numbness, and visual changes, it’s important to see a doctor. Some doctors will prescribe drugs such as triptans to relieve your headache.
Fatigue
During pregnancy, most women will experience some level of fatigue. There are many factors that contribute to this, including hormones, underlying medical conditions, and depression. It is important to note that fatigue during pregnancy is not harmful to the baby. Rather, it is a sign that your body is making accommodations for the growing baby.
The best way to combat fatigue during pregnancy is to rest. You should also get plenty of sleep. A good night’s sleep will help you to feel refreshed in the morning. Taking a short nap, even if it’s just 15 minutes, can also help.
Other factors that contribute to pregnancy fatigue include anemia, depression, and hypothyroidism. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to your health care provider.
Keeping a healthy, balanced diet is important. You should also try to get plenty of exercises. If you work, you may have to cut back on your hours. You should also consider working from home, or taking a few days off to recharge.
If you experience severe fatigue during your third trimester, it may be a sign of prolonged labor or Caesarean delivery. It may also be a sign of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Moodiness
Moodiness during pregnancy can occur anytime, though it usually begins in the first trimester. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid or reduce it.
Getting plenty of rest is one of the best ways to improve your mood. You may have a harder time sleeping during the late months of your pregnancy, but if you can get to bed early, you’ll be better off.
Hormonal changes also contribute to moodiness. Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone can make you feel irritable.
If you’re experiencing severe mood swings, talk to your healthcare provider. He or she can recommend a few things to help you deal with them.
Eating well can also be a big help. A healthy diet can also make you less prone to moodiness.
Aside from the obvious diet and exercise tips, you should also make sure that you are drinking plenty of water and that you are getting enough sleep. These simple tips will make you more productive and less prone to having a bad day.
Lastly, you should try to engage in activities that are fun and enlightening. Whether it’s reading a good book, learning a new skill, or simply spending time with friends, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself in a positive mood.
Skin disease
During pregnancy, women experience many physical changes. They also suffer from increased vulnerability to disease. This can lead to skin problems. Depending on the skin disease, there are different treatments to offer.
There are three main types of skin diseases during pregnancy. Each has a specific type of symptom. Some of these include itching, peeling, and redness. Others include hyperpigmentation, vascular changes, and changes in the nails. Whether a woman has a rash or a change in her hair, it is important to consult with her healthcare provider.
Several factors may trigger a rash during pregnancy. Some are due to hormonal changes, and some are caused by an allergic reaction. Using certain medications that do not enter the bloodstream can be helpful. If your rash causes itching, you can use a local strode to soothe the area. You can also use emulsions to treat the itching.
Lichen is an infectious skin disease that affects pregnant women. Lichen is a type of herpes virus that affects the body. When the immune system is weak, lichen acts on the body. If you think you might have lichen during pregnancy, it is best to see a dermatologist.
Another skin disease that may occur during pregnancy is pityriasis Versicolor. This disease occurs in the second and third trimesters. It is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It is caused by yeast-like fungi. It can also be caused by constant moisture. There are many ways to treat pityriasis during pregnancy. Some treatments involve teas and sea buckthorn essential oil.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
AFLP is a hepatic condition characterized by fatty infiltration of the hepatocytes. It is a rare obstetric medical complication. AFLP is associated with maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
Typically, AFLP is diagnosed in the third trimester. It is associated with severe maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. It may require intensive care management during the peripartum period.
In addition to hepatic damage, AFLP can lead to kidney failure, coagulopathy, and acute pancreatitis. It may affect other organs, as well. It may be treated with liver transplantation. Fortunately, there have been significant advances in critical care management that have decreased the occurrence of AFLP.
Although AFLP is not often diagnosed in the first trimester, early detection is important to improve prognosis. Affected women should be counseled. A tertiary care center with an experienced team should be referred. For serious cases, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to safely manage complicated patients.
Previously, AFLP was considered a fatal disease. In the 1980s, data suggested mortality rates of 70%. However, recent studies indicate a decline in maternal and neonatal mortality. Currently, mortality is less than 2%.
AFLP is caused by an impaired mitochondrial b-oxidation of fatty acids. The enzyme long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) is required for the breakdown of long-chain fatty acids. Insufficient levels of the enzyme in pregnant women may increase the risk of liver injury from lipotoxic metabolites.
Placenta and umbilical cord development
During pregnancy, the placenta and umbilical cord develop and grow inside the uterus. They help in carrying oxygen, nutrients, and waste products to the baby. They also provide a connection between the fetus and the mother.
The placenta and umbilical cord are attached to the uterine wall with small projections called villi. The villi are the site of blood vessels. The blood vessels from the fetus enter the placenta through the umbilical cord. The blood from the fetus then passes through the veins and arteries that connect the placenta to the maternal blood supply.
The placenta and umbilical system are also composed of large veins, called chorionic vessels. These chorionic villi help in preventing some viruses from reaching the baby. They also act as a filter to prevent certain molecules from passing through.
There are also many cell types that make up the uterine wall. The walls are thick, and they have a thin layer of Wharton’s jelly.
The umbilical cord normally contains two arteries. These arteries branch from the internal iliac arteries. The arteries then branch into smaller capillaries and veins that lead to the placenta. The veins and arteries are enclosed by a thick sheath.
The placenta is a flat cake-shaped organ that grows during pregnancy. It has a thickness of about an inch at the center and about 3 cm on each side. It is about one pound when delivered.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
