Some women sail smoothly through their pregnancy, thanks to their lucky stars. However, most women go through a series of health concerns throughout the entire nine months. Following is a list of health concerns that commonly occur during pregnancy along with expert tips to overcome them:

1. Anaemia: Did you know that your body needs double the amount of iron (27 mg per day) during pregnancy? Not just for your baby or to meet the increased needs of the body, but also to make up for the blood loss that takes place during delivery. The deficiency of iron in the body leads to anaemia, a condition in which low iron levels lead to inadequate haemoglobin in the body, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Oral tablets or syrups can be taken to supplement your iron intake. Better yet, you can get iron naturally from foods like jaggery, dates, spinach, pomegranates, fish, red meat, prune juice, poultry, peas, iron-fortified cereals, and dried beans.
2. Headaches: Along with a headache, if you experience blurry vision and spots in your vision, you may have preeclampsia or high blood pressure. Many women experience preeclampsia or high blood pressure during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Although not all headaches indicate preeclampsia, headaches that could indicate preeclampsia are throbbing, consistent and persistent. To avoid headaches, try to maintain a straight posture when you sit or stand as posture plays a vital role. Eat well-balanced meals and avoid foods like meat with preservatives, chocolates, dairy, and caffeine. Also, stay well hydrated because dehydration is known to worsen headaches.
3. Difficulty sleeping: A change in hormone levels causes changes in your sleep quality too. Either the hormones make you snore or increase your washroom trips at night. These interruptions not only disturb your sleep but also cause heartburn and induce pain and nausea. Conditions like sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome also make it difficult to sleep. To get a good night’s sleep, skip the spicy food cravings, try to exercise for about 30 minutes every day and plan your sleeping time. Use a nightlight and try meditation techniques to enter the sleepy zone.
4. Low energy levels: Walking in the backyard or even finishing a book seems difficult during pregnancy, let alone taking a walk to the grocery store. Most women experience a drain in their energy levels mostly during the first trimester of the pregnancy. The body preps for and experiences changes in hormones to create a tiny cuddly human, which takes a lot of work and energy. Emotional stress is one of the factors contributing to your energy dip as well. To reduce exhaustion, eat or drink at least two hours before bedtime, take many siestas during the day, and eat every three to four hours. Have plenty of water, and you can also have caffeine-free protein energy drinks.
5. Bleeding gums: Survey results of an insurance company found that about 75% of pregnant moms faced oral health problems, of which only 57% visited a dentist. Gums tend to become sensitive due to the hormonal changes in pregnancy and sometimes bleed. Don’t forget that bleeding gums after brushing or a mouth rinse is a risk factor for babies with low birth weight. Brush your teeth twice a day, and visit the dentist regularly. Consume foods and vitamins that make you healthy and help fight tooth problems better.
6. Constipation: It’s not just you, about 70% of pregnant women have to give a little extra push in the morning while taking a dump. The uterus expands during pregnancy, which puts pressure on and around the intestines and causes constipation. In some women, the iron and vitamin supplements they take during pregnancy also cause constipation. To get rid of this worrisome morning routine, drink at least eight glasses of water per day and eat foods rich in fibre such as berries, cereals, greens, and beans. You can also have probiotic drinks that are safe to use during pregnancy after consulting your doctor.
7. Nausea and vomiting: The feeling of wanting to puke not just in the mornings but also throughout the day is quite common among pregnant women and is known as ‘morning sickness. Although more than 60% of women experience morning sickness during pregnancy, the severity differs in each woman. Some women throw up, while others only feel the urge to do so. Some experience morning sickness only during the first trimester, while others experience it throughout their pregnancy. To battle morning sickness, stay hydrated, eat protein-rich foods, and do not get out of bed too quickly. Vitamin B6 supplements too help keep the morning sickness at bay.

• Pregnancy becomes a smooth journey when you have a great support buddy with you to handle the bumps. To get more health tips and help from professional gynaecologists, download the HealthAssure app right now. Whether you are looking for a gynaecologist, a nutritionist, a dentist or a therapist, find the best and the nearest one with just by a click.

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