Most new moms experience "baby blues" during or after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
Mood changes during pregnancy can be caused by physical stresses, fatigue, changes in your metabolism, or by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Significant changes in your hormone levels can affect your level of neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals that regulate mood.
Be patient with pregnant women. Offer your empathy and help them to get through these emotionally difficult periods.
Reference: https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/mood-swings-during-pregnancy/
About half of all pregnant women experience ‘morning sickness’ in the first trimester, i.e. feeling nauseous or vomiting especially in the morning. This is believed to be caused by the rapidly rising blood levels of a hormone called HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is released by the placenta.
If vomiting is severe, causing a woman to lose fluids and weight, it may be a sign of a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyperemesis can lead to dehydration and may need hospitalization.
Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001499.htm
During pregnancy, the body works overtime to provide a nourishing environment for the baby, hence it is common for pregnant women to experience fatigue. Sometimes the fatigue could be caused by underlying iron-deficiency anaemia, i.e. when the body does not have enough iron the body does not make enough healthy red blood cells or the blood cells do not work correctly.
Carry out a blood test would reveal whether you have anaemia or not.
Meanwhile, offer yourself to reduce their workload or help to make their living environment more conducive.
Reference: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia
This may be due to varicose veins, i.e. swollen, purple veins which are common in the legs and around the vaginal opening during late pregnancy. In most cases, varicose veins are caused by the increased pressure on the legs and the pelvic veins. It is also caused by the increased blood volume.
As a woman's weight increases, her balance changes, and her centre of gravity are pulled forward, straining her back. Pelvic joints that begin to loosen in preparation for childbirth also contribute to this back strain.
Proper posture and proper lifting techniques throughout the pregnancy can help reduce the strain on the back.
Heartburn and indigestion, caused by pressure on the intestines and stomach (which, in turn, pushes stomach contents back up into the food tract). It can be prevented or reduced by eating smaller meals throughout the day and by avoiding lying down shortly after eating.
Stretch marks are generally caused by a rapid increase in weight. Stretch marks can lower women’s self-esteem and affect the way they dress. Nevertheless, the portrayal of flawless models and celebrities in the popular media is also to be blamed - it has unfortunately led to mounting pressures on women and mums to have the 'perfect' body.
Remind your mom/wife that despite these physical flaws your love for her never changed.
Reference: https://www.nursinginpractice.com/psychological-impact-stretch-marks-and-scarring-revealed
Dizziness during pregnancy is a common symptom, which may be caused by:
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Low blood pressure due to the uterus compressing major arteries
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Low blood sugar
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Low iron
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Quickly moving from a sitting position to a standing position
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Dehydration
To prevent injury from falling during episodes of dizziness, a pregnant woman should stand up slowly and hold on to the walls and other stable structures for support and balance.
Gums may become more spongy as blood flow increases during pregnancy. This causes them to bleed easily. A pregnant woman should continue to take care of her teeth and gums and go to the dentist for regular checkups.
For all the discomforts your mother went through, she did it out of love and care.
Accompany her more often and treat every day like it’s Mother’s Day.
To all the dedicated mothers out there, all the sisters, best friends, relatives and dads who do both jobs, thank you for your love and support. Happy Mother's Day!⠀
Main reference: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=common-discomforts-during-pregnancy-85-P01207
