18 Causes of Pregnancy Discomforts

Hormonal changes cause pregnancy discomforts like morning sickness, constipation, frequent urination, skin color changes, yeast infections, mood swings, insomnia, headaches, migraines, and nasal congestion.

1. Breast swelling and pain: Result of increasing breast size and milk ducts expanding.
2. Fatigue: Result of the growing baby’s energy requirements and anemia.
3. Hemorrhoids: Result of pressure on the rectum and increased blood volume.
4. In addition to hormones, constipation is caused by the growing baby and increased iron intake.
5. The growing baby and expanding uterus put pressure on the stomach and intestines, causing reflux.
6. Varicose veins: Caused by increased pressure on the legs and pelvic veins.
7. Swelling/bloating/fluid retention: Caused by pressure on blood vessels in the lower body.
8. Frequent urination: Caused by pressure on the bladder.
9. Abdominal pain: May be due to stretching ligaments, gas, constipation, or Braxton Hicks contractions.
10. Stretch marks: Result of rapid weight gain during pregnancy.
11. In addition to hormones, yeast infections may be due to increased vaginal discharge.
12. Mood swings: Caused by hormones, stress, and fatigue.
13. Backache: Result of weight gain and change in center of gravity.
14. Aside from hormones, insomnia is caused by the urge to urinate, nausea, heartburn, and finding a comfortable sleep position.
15. Dizziness: May be caused by low blood sugar, pressure changes, low iron, dehydration, or standing up too quickly.
16. Headaches and migraines: Caused by hormones, lack of sleep, low blood sugar, pressure changes, and stress.
17. Increased blood flow: May cause gums to bleed easily.
18. Pica: Rare craving for non-food substances due to nutritional deficiencies.

Symptoms of Pregnancy Discomforts

Uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy are common and include:

• Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting): Nausea affects about 80% of women, and about 50% experience both nausea and vomiting. Severe vomiting is called hyperemesis gravidarum and can last throughout pregnancy.
• Breast swelling and pain: Milk ducts expand and breasts fill, causing sharp pains. Hormonal changes may cause tenderness.
• Fatigue: More than half of women experience fatigue, typically during the first and third trimesters.
• Hemorrhoids: Pressure on the rectum and perineum can lead to hemorrhoids, especially in the third trimester.
• Constipation: Hormones, pressure on the intestines, and increased iron intake can cause constipation.
• Heartburn/indigestion/reflux: The expanding uterus puts pressure on the stomach and intestines, causing contents to reflux.
• Varicose veins: Increased pressure on the legs and pelvic veins may cause varicose veins.
• Swelling, bloating, and fluid retention: Common during pregnancy, but severe swelling may be a sign of preeclampsia.
• Frequent urination: Hormonal changes and pressure from the growing baby cause frequent urination.
• Abdominal pain: Upper stomach or abdominal pain is common during the third trimester.
• Stretch marks: Rapid weight gain during pregnancy can cause stretch marks on the skin.
• Skin color changes (mask of pregnancy or chloasma): Hormonal changes may result in brown patches on the face and other skin changes.
• Yeast infections: Hormonal changes and increased vaginal discharge make women more susceptible to yeast infections.
• Mood swings: Changes in mood and feelings of stress are common during the first trimester and near the end of pregnancy.
• Backache: Weight gain and change in center of gravity cause back strain.
• Insomnia: Hormonal changes and other pregnancy-related stressors can interfere with sleep.
• Dizziness: Can be caused by low blood sugar, pressure changes, low iron, dehydration, or standing up too quickly.
• Headaches and migraines: Can be caused by hormones, constipation, lack of sleep, low blood sugar, pressure changes, and stress.
• Bleeding gums and tooth pain: Increased blood flow can cause gums to bleed easily, and toothache and sensitivity are common.
• Congested or bloody nose: Increased blood flow can result in congestion, stuffy nose, or nosebleeds.
• Flu-like body aches: Muscular changes, vomiting, and dehydration may cause body aches.
• Pica: Rare craving to eat non-food substances due to nutritional deficiencies.