Pains in pregnancy

Feeling sick

Pregnancy sickness might affect you, almost always solely in early pregnancy. Some women are prone to vomiting, not just feeling nauseous, and sadly, it can strike at any time of the day, though it’s very common first thing in the morning.

If you feel unwell and unable to eat or drink much, then see your doctor or midwife for advice. In a few extreme cases, some women need a hospital stay. Even then, there is no evidence the baby’s health or growth is compromised.

Backache, aches in the pelvis

As pregnancy progresses, your weight and shape can affect the muscles of your back, your shoulders and your pelvis. Pregnancy hormones act on the ligaments between your pelvic bones, making them more elastic – good for giving birth, not so good for weight-bearing in pregnancy.

Aches in the lower and upper back, the pelvis and the vulva are common in pregnancy, and you can help a bit with attention to posture – a straight back when sitting seems to make a difference, as does careful bending at the knees when you have to lift something off the ground. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, or swimming, is also helpful.

Wear the shoes that feel most comfortable for you – traditional advice was to wear slight heels or wedges, but the best thing is simply to choose the footwear that feels good for you.

Ask your midwife or antenatal teacher about exercises that relieve back and pelvic pain – getting on all fours and rocking, or using a birth ball for the same posture, can be very comfortable and bring some respite.

Varicose veins

Under the pressure on the veins from increased weight in the pelvis, your veins can become swollen and blood flow in them more sluggish. This can lead to tired or aching legs, and veins becoming prominent and visible. The most common place for varicose veins in pregnancy is the legs, but you may also suffer them in the vulva, and round the rectum and anus (when they are known as piles or haemorrhoids, and exacerbated by constipation).

Resting, with your legs raised when you can, brings relief and helps blood flow, and treating any constipation will help with piles.

Your midwife or doctor may suggest safe treatment for varicose veins, including elasticated hosiery.

Skin problems

You might be unlucky enough to develop itching and/or a rash on your in skin in pregnancy. It’s most likely to he a harmless, and short-lived pregnancy rash (prurigo gestationis) which can be relieved with antihistamine cream from your doctor, and which goes within a few days or weeks of giving birth. Very rarely, skin itch can be related to an underlying liver condition which can be quite serious. Any rash or itch needs to be checked out with a midwife or doctor.

You can raise any concerns about aches and pains at your routine antenatal care appointments, and if you develop symptoms between times, speak to the midwife, GP or hospital antenatal clinic. No one will think you’re unjustified in getting reassurance.