How to Manage Pain During Pregnancy

Normally, when you get a headache or injury you can pop a few pain pills and hardly miss a beat. However, when you are pregnant, everything you do can impact that precious, growing baby. While mothers are famous for being self-sacrificing and willing to do anything to keep from harming their baby, you shouldn’t have to suffer through severe pain during your pregnancy. Luckily, there are safe ways to combat your pain during pregnancy.

Take Safe Pain Medication

Most doctors would agree that some over-the-counter pain medications can be taken safely during pregnancy. While you should never take any medication without getting the green light from your doctor, acetaminophen is generally considered safe. Your doctor might also approve ibuprofen or naproxen during the first half of your pregnancy. 

However, they are generally not recommended after 20 weeks because of the risk of hemorrhaging during delivery and causing kidney problems for the baby. Bottom line: always ask your doctor before taking any medication!

Try Drug-Free Remedies

Of course, pregnancy is the perfect time to try out holistic pain relief techniques. Massage therapy, hot or cold compresses, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and acupressure are all safe options to try. 

Additionally, going to a chiropractor can help you ease pain during pregnancy without drugs. Chiropractic spinal manipulation can effectively treat lower back pain, a common complaint during pregnancy.

Treat the Cause, Not the Symptom

When you are pregnant it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to your body’s cues. One of the dangers of having such convenient pain remedies available is that we can easily pop a pill and ignore the underlying causes. However, when you take the time to listen to your body and find out what it’s trying to tell you, you can usually treat the cause of your pain rather than the symptom. Maybe you are overworking yourself and need to take it easy. Maybe your headaches are caused by mild dehydration. Maybe you need to tweak your sleeping position or go to bed earlier. Maybe you need to wear more comfortable shoes for now. Treating the underlying cause is always more effective and less risky than turning to a quick fix like pain meds. 

Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you should have to live with pain. First, try to diagnose the cause of your pain and address that first. If that doesn’t work, talk to your doctor for some suggestions. No one should suffer needlessly when there are plenty of safe remedies available. 

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Tips for Dealing With Your First Pregnancy

As a newly pregnant mother, it may seem like there is an endless list of things you need to do. Not only is your body changing, but you may also have to change your diet, feel more exhausted than ever, or be dealing with morning sickness. 

While every pregnancy is different, there are a few things you should make sure to focus on to make this a good experience.

Find a Support System

Having a solid support system is crucial for having a good experience with your pregnancy. Obviously, the first person in your support system should be your partner, but it shouldn’t end there. If you are lucky enough to have family nearby, reach out to them for help. If you live further away, they can still provide support through phone calls, and keeping up to date with you. 

You and your partner should also make sure you find an OBGYN that you are comfortable with. You will have a lot of doctor visits over the next several months, so having a doctor you like and that you trust is crucial to make this a good experience. Many women also consider using a midwife or a doula. If you are feeling a little isolated, try reaching out to local moms. Your fellow mothers and expectant mothers will truly understand what you are going through and they can support you better than almost anyone else.

Manage Your Stress

New experiences and unexpected changes can be a large source of stress, and pregnancy is filled with both of those. While some stress is to be expected, too much stress can be unhealthy while pregnant. It is important to keep on top of how you are feeling and find healthy ways to cope. 

Light exercise during pregnancy can take some stress off. Many pregnant women enjoy walking or yoga specifically designed for pregnancy. You could also look into getting a prenatal massage. Being honest with your partner and support system about how you feel will also allow them to help you deal with any overwhelming feelings. Above all, remember that this is new for you, and it is okay to feel unsure at times.

Document The Experience

While you may not feel super glamorous while dealing with morning sickness, it is important to recognize the good moments of pregnancy. Many women will document the growth of their bump through regular mirror selfies. There are also plenty of options to track your pregnancy and the growth of your child. Some women prefer physical books that they can write the details down in, while others use pregnancy tracker apps that share fun details, such as the size of the baby. 

When you are far enough along to feel the baby kick, think about taking a video of the flutters. Maternity shoots with your partner are also a great way to commemorate the experience. Don’t forget, you are starting your family and these are memories you will want to share with your child someday.

Your first pregnancy is an exciting new experience that you get to embark on. While it may seem never ending at the moment, remember to cherish this stage of your life. It may be hard, but you can do it, and at the end of your pregnancy, you will have your beautiful baby to love and adore.
Have a lasting memory of your family here. Glendale/Los Angeles Photographer

Issues to Deal With After Giving Birth

The moment you hold your newborn for the first time, your heart will be filled with a joy you've never experienced. But, your body has just been through an extremely stressful ordeal, and it will take some time before you're feeling your best. Meanwhile, you will have some issues to deal with.

Postpartum Depression

It's completely normal to feel emotional after giving birth. You're entering a new phase of your life, and your hormones are out of balance. You may find that you're crying more than usual or easily irritated by small, unimportant matters. You may feel overwhelmed or anxious sometimes.

However, for about 15 percent of new moms, the feelings are more severe and unrelenting. 

These women are experiencing postpartum depression. Symptoms include sadness, low self-esteem, guilt, lack of enjoyment, and changes in eating and sleeping. See your doctor if you suspect you might have postpartum depression.

Body Confidence Issues

Your body has just carried another human being for nine months. It's not going to snap back immediately, and you shouldn't compare yourself to body images you see in the media. Give yourself time to recover, and pamper yourself if you can.

Eating regular, healthy meals and exercising will help you lose the "baby weight" and rebuild your self-confidence. Topical creams and laser treatments can help get rid of stretch marks. If you're nursing, invest in a good bra to give you the support you need. A new haircut or manicure can also help you feel better.

Sleep Problems

Sleep problems after childbirth are so common, there's a name for it: postpartum insomnia. The combination of hormone imbalance, new emotions, and constantly nursing and tending to a baby can cause you to have problems falling asleep and sleeping through the night.

It will take a few weeks, but you can get into a healthy sleep routine. Try to avoid caffeine, and set aside some time in your busy schedule for relaxation or meditation. Keep your bedroom dimly lit and quiet at night, even if you're getting up to feed the baby. Your body will get back into a regular sleep rhythm soon.

Knowing how your body and your emotions might react after childbirth can prepare you for any issues that may come up. Every new mom is different, but all of them will struggle with something. Be kind to yourself and anticipate the disruptions.

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3 Tips for Feeling Great During Your Pregnancy

Being pregnant is an extremely exciting and meaningful time in life. To achieve that proverbial pregnancy glow, it is important to take steps to care for your own body and its changing needs. Here are three proven tips to help you feel great during your entire pregnancy:

Exercise How You Can

Medical News Today explains that engaging in appropriate exercise can help you to feel better during all stages of the pregnancy. During the first and second trimester, you should be able to continue the majority of the exercise that you were performing before getting pregnant. Some women find that they need to slow down more as the pregnancy enters the third trimester. Walking, yoga, and swimming are ideal ways to get in physical activity as you nurture your growing baby. A regular exercise routine during pregnancy will also enable your body to bounce better more quickly after the baby is born. As always, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine.

Pamper Yourself

Pregnancy is a significant physical change, putting the body through a myriad of challenges. As you go through this process, it is important to always listen to your body if you are feeling aches and pains. Do not be hesitant to seek outside help in alleviating some of the most common pregnancy ailments. Congruent Life Chiropractic says that chiropractic has been known to keep expecting moms feeling great physically during your pregnancy by utilizing a three prong approach (bone, ligament, muscle) to allow for optimal alignment and stability to the pelvis and uterus.

Nourish Your Body

There is no season in life where good nutrition is more important than when you are pregnant. According to What to Expect, while most expecting women focus on how the proper nourishment will positively affect the baby, solid nutrition choices are also important to keep the mother healthy and ready to face the rigors of pregnancy. Be sure to be intentional about consuming extra protein and calcium. The body will take calcium from your existing stores to nourish the growing baby, making it especially important to make sure that you replenish adequately. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids will also keep both you and the baby functioning at optimal levels.

The most important rule to remember is to put your needs first. Taking the time to rest and nourish your body will give your baby the best start in life while also taking care of your own personal needs.

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