Pregnancy is not without its side effects. During
pregnancy your body will undergo many hormonal changes. These hormone
fluctuations can result in a variety of unpleasant symptoms including:
nausea, fatigue, bloating and fluid retention and mood swings.
What’s a pregnant woman to do? Believe it or not, there are many
changes you can make to your diet that will help minimize many of the
common pregnancy complaints you are having.
Nausea/Morning Sickness – This is one of the more common complaints
pregnant women have, particularly during their first trimester. Many
women find that sipping on some
fizzy soda water with fresh squeezed lemon often helps reduce
nausea. Ginger tea is also another well known remedy for nausea and
morning sickness. If you are still not feeling better, an extra 10 to 25
milligrams of vitamin B6 is often just enough to help ease nausea. You
can take a supplement or try foods rich in B6 such as lean meats, fish
and avocados.
Edema – Most women swell a little during pregnancy. The best thing
you can do to ease swelling is drink more water. You may think you are
already drinking too much, but in all reality you probably aren’t. Some
women find that wearing compression hosiery can also help reduce fluid
retention. Some women also find that a little extra calcium/magnesium
can help combat fluid retention and bloating.
Fatigue – Exercise is often the best way to get rid of pregnancy
induced fatigue. Even if you think you are too tired to work out, you’ll
find you feel much better after exercising. Eating six small meals per
day will also help energize you. Be sure you also consume foods rich in
iron to prevent anemia, a common cause of fatigue in pregnant women.
Mood Swings – Mood changes are almost inevitable during pregnancy
due to rampant hormonal fluctuations. Be sure you get plenty of rest to
help combat fatigue that can contribute to mood swings. You might also
consider supplementing with essential fatty acids, which may be
beneficial for reducing anxiety and depression.
Don’t forget above all else that most of the symptoms of pregnancy
are just temporary, and before you know it you will be back to your
jubilant, pre-pregnancy self!
