Pregnancy can come with normal symptoms that are quite challenging. Some of those symptoms include morning sickness, backache, heartburn, swollen feet or ankles, indigestion, and much more.
These pregnancy symptoms occur mostly because your body is making preparations for the new life growing inside of you, so don’t be alarmed, they are normal.
Despite these challenges, there are natural ways to reduce the discomfort.
Most importantly, you should avoid medication because only a few medications are safe to be taken during pregnancy. Instead, opt for home remedies, coupled with changes in your diet and sleeping patterns to help you tackle these symptoms naturally.
Below are natural ways to relieve pregnancy symptoms and discomfort:
1. Stay hydrated
The body requires water to function well, so one of the things doctors recommend for pregnant women is to drink enough water.
Most times, breathlessness in pregnancy is a common symptom of dehydration. Water can greatly help to prevent shortness of breath and as well as cramps in pregnancies.
So, make sure you drink enough water and also avoid beverages like alcohol, coffee or soda because it can excessively increase your body weight – which can also cause you shortness of breath.
2. Light exercise
During pregnancy, hitting the gym would probably be the last thing on your mind. Nevertheless, you don’t have to go to the gym before you can exercise. A simple walk around your environment, stretching and yoga can go a long way to relieve some stress you face during pregnancy.
Also, squatting can help open your pelvis to prevent prolong labour and assist the baby to descend well during labour time.
On a positive note, mild exercise during pregnancy is a good natural way of helping you out during your cramp-filled days and can help reduce some common discomfort like backache, constipation and swollen feet.
3. Reduce or avoid spicy food intake
Extra care should be taken when it comes to diet. Mostly, pregnant women have a variety of cravings which may also include cravings for spicy food.
However, it is okay to eat spicy food while pregnant because they do not necessarily harm your baby but they could affect you as a mother and cause you digestive problems, heartburns and worsen morning sickness.
Advisably, you should minimize your intake of spicy foods to reduce complications during pregnancy.
4. Cold or hot compress
A cold compress or a warm compress can be used to reduce abdominal discomfort, sore breast, headache swollen ankles and feet.
For frequent a headache, a cold compress can also help reduce pressure, cool down your body temperature and relieve pain at the same time.
In addition, you can try dipping your leg in warm water or elevate them on a stool to reduce swelling.
5. Ginger intake
Ginger root is used often to combat challenges facing pregnant women like indigestion and saliva flow during ancient times. However, ginger is a very strong anti-oxidant that can aid digestion, saliva flow and can also help relieve nausea (morning sickness), vomiting and constipation.
Ginger can also be added to already prepared meals as flavour, fruit juice and can also be taken as a tea (ginger tea).
On the contrary, the intake of ginger may not be suitable for all pregnant women as some may find it irritating and too spicy. Therefore, it should be taken moderately and not in excess to avoid irritation.
Read also: Pregnant Hilary Duff Shows Off Her Baby Bump In New Family Photos
Always have in mind that your body will go through a lot of changes during pregnancy and your unborn baby’s nutrition and health development will completely depend on your lifestyle. So make it a priority to adhere to these tips to help you through the beautiful journey of your pregnancy.
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