Pregnancy

Feeling faint or dizziness during Pregnancy – causes and treatment

Dizziness or feeling faint is a normal symptom during pregnancy. It is more common in the first quarter, but may also be common during the whole pregnancy. During this time, the cardiovascular system will undergo some dramatic changes:
- The heart rate increases.
- The heart pumps more blood per minute and the amount of blood in the body expands by an average of 40-45%.
- The capacity of the circulatory system also increases as blood flows to the enlarged uterus and placenta.
Pregnancy is a time of change and body changes make you more apt to feel dizzy or light headed.

Causes:
The main reason of dizziness during pregnancy due to increased hormones that cause blood vessels to relax and widen. This helps to increase the blood flow to the baby, but delays the return of blood in the veins. This makes the blood pressure to be lower than usual, which can reduce blood flow to the brain, temporarily causing dizziness.
Early in pregnancy, dizziness is probably due to the fact that the body still is not producing enough blood to fill the rapidly expanding circulatory system.

Dizziness is also caused by low blood sugar that may occur when the body adapts to changes in their metabolism. Women who are anemic or who have varicose veins may be more susceptible to motion sickness than others.

During the second trimester, dizziness may be caused by the growing uterus puts pressure on blood vessels. Reduced blood flow to the brain, sometimes turn the head. You may feel dizzy if the blood sugar decreases or becomes dehydrated.

Dizziness can also occur later in pregnancy if you lie on the back so that the baby’s weight to press into the vena cava. Another possible reason you feel dizzy during pregnancy is that you are spending too much time in a warm room or stuffy nose, especially if you are wearing clothes too tight or hot. Remember, the body is a furnace to make babies, which generates a lot of their own heat right now.

Treatment:
There are several things can be done to reduce the amount of drowsiness you experience. You can leave a sickness on his way to bed as soon as you start to feel lightheaded. Elevate the feet to increase blood flow to the brain. Second best: Sit and bend forward as you can, put the head between the knees, if possible. If there is no place to lie down or sit, kneel on one knee and leaning forward as if tied to his shoe until the spell passes.

Here are some helpful suggestions to reduce dizziness during pregnancy:

- Avoid standing for long periods. If you are standing, be sure to keep the feet moving to help increase circulation.
- Stand up slowly, either sitting or lying down (This is very important when you are out of the bathtub).
- Eat regularly. Avoid long periods between meals, it is best to eat during the day.
- Avoid hot baths or showers.
- Avoid lying on the back once you get to half of its second quarter.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing to avoid restricting circulation.

Sometimes the dizziness can be a symptom of shock after severe blood loss. If you feel faint, dizzy or faint, have any vaginal bleeding, and/or abdominal pain; contact the midwife, doctor or maternity unit – which is faster – immediately.
Health care provider must be immediately consulted if dizziness is accompanied by vaginal bleeding and/or pain in abdomen. This could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, a low-lying placenta, or placental abruption.

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Bleeding Gums during Pregnancy or Pregnancy Gingivitis – Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Now that you’re pregnant, you may have noticed that the gums are bothering more than usual. If the gums are sore or tender, or gums are bleeding when brushing or flossing, you may have a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Pregnancy gingivitis is a common occurrence during pregnancy, however, if left untreated can lead to complications. If you notice any symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis, it is important to visit the dentist for proper treatment.

Swollen, red gums, painful bleeding when brushing or flossing are a sign of pregnancy gingivitis. The inflammation is caused by higher progesterone levels that make the gums more susceptible to plaque bacteria and the increased blood supply in the mouth.

You can also develop a benign nodule in the gums that bleed when you brush the teeth. This type of nodule is called pregnancy tumour or pyogenic granuloma. Tumours of pregnancy can actually appear anywhere in the body during pregnancy, but most often they appear in the mouth.

A pregnancy tumour can grow up to three quarters of an inch in size and is more likely to occur in an area where you have gingivitis. It usually disappears after having the baby, but if not, you will need to have it removed. If it causes discomfort, it interferes with chewing or brushing, or begins to bleed excessively; you can have it removed during pregnancy.

Causes:
There are several causes of gum disease during pregnancy. One is the increase in blood flow. During pregnancy, blood flow actually increases between 30% and 50%. This is to ensure that the baby is always getting the right nutrients to grow and develop. Unfortunately, this increased blood flow can cause the gums to swell and become very sensitive. It can even cause the gums to bleed, leaving them at greater risk for gingivitis.

The increase in hormones may also play a role in the development of pregnancy gingivitis. These high levels of the hormones leave the gums and teeth more sensitive to the bacteria that hide in the plate. This is one reason why gingivitis is so common in pregnancy.

Morning sickness can also play a small role in contributing to pregnancy gingivitis. Many women find they can no longer stand the smell or taste of the toothpaste, making it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene. Increased vomiting during pregnancy can also take its toll on the gums. Vomit contains stomach acid that can eat away the gums and teeth, making the mouth are very sensitive.

Treatment:
There is no cure for gum disease, although the damage can sometimes be reversed or stopped. All pregnant women should receive at least two thorough cleanings during pregnancy. This should help reduce your chances of developing periodontal disease or gingivitis of pregnancy.

If you already have gingivitis, treating gum disease is better to have a thorough cleaning at your dentist’s office. Your dentist will scale your teeth using a variety of instruments. This will remove excess plaque from teeth and around the gum line. Severe gingivitis may also require root planning, a process during which the roots of the teeth are cleaned the plate completely.

Prevention:
As always, the best treatment for gingivitis is prevention. Maintaining good oral hygiene routine will ensure that your gums and teeth healthy for a long time to come. Try following these tips:
- Brush twice a day for at least five minutes.
- Use a soft bristle brush – this will prevent irritating your gums.
- Flossing once a day or use an antibacterial mouthwash to get rid of plaque between teeth.
- Avoid eating large amounts of refined sugar – this will reduce the plaque and tartar .
- Visit your dentist regularly.

Constipation during Pregnancy – Causes and Treatment

Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. Nearly half of pregnant women suffer from constipation at some point.
One reason of constipation is an increase in the hormone progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body including the digestive tract. This means that food passes through the intestines more slowly. And the problem may be compounded later in pregnancy by the pressure of growing uterus on the rectum. Iron supplements, especially in high doses can worsen constipation.

Causes:
One of the most common reasons why you may feel constipated is because during pregnancy, the body retains too much water. Even water from the intestines is absorbed by the body. Therefore, there is enough water to soften the stool, causing constipation.
The second reason behind constipation is the loss of appetite, especially in the early months of pregnancy due to nausea and morning sickness.
In the first quarter it is caused by progesterone which decreases the intestinal activity. In late pregnancy the pressure of the uterus on the intestines and rectum makes the system slow.
- Iron supplement you need to treat anaemia has an astringent effect.
- Stress contributes to constipation.
- Being more susceptible to constipation is also a reason.

Treatment:
- Eat foods rich in fiber like whole grain cereals and breads, rice, beans and fruits and vegetables every day. The addition of a couple of tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran (available at health food stores) to the cereal in the morning and after that a glass of water may help. It may take a couple of days before you notice the difference. Fruits help in having smooth motions. Having papayas in small quantities and bananas also helps.
- Drink plenty of water – at least six to eight glasses a day. A glass of fruit juice every day, especially prune juice, may also be useful. Some people find that drinking a hot liquid right after waking up helps get things moving. Drink as much water as you want. A good supplement can be tea, some coffee or fruit juice.
To ensure that the bowel function as well as possible, it is necessary to keep the stool soft.
- Exercise gently which stimulates the bowel movement leading to better digestion.
During pregnancy, walking or swimming for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week will help digestion. But also improve overall wellness and fitness.
- The intestines are more likely to be active after a meal. Listen to the body. Be sure to go when you feel the need. Include dry powdered ginger in your diet. This helps to relieve constipation. You can also choose flax seeds or flax seed (SAN) in your diet to relieve constipation.
- If the prenatal multivitamin contains a large dose of iron (and who is not anemic), ask the doctor about switching to a supplement with less iron.
- If the above measures do not help, talk to the doctor about taking a fibre supplement or over the counter stool softener.
- Drugs that are safe and can be used to treat constipation in pregnancy can be used.

Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any counter remedies or herbal preparations. Laxative pills and mineral oils are not recommended for the treatment of constipation during pregnancy.