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Pregnancy health Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, May 2009.

Answers to questions about common pregnancy symptoms

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

I am having trouble sleeping. Why is this? Are sleep problems common in pregnancy?

As your pregnancy progresses, you may find it increasingly difficult to get a good night's sleep. This may be due to discomfort as your baby grows or some common pregnancy problems like backache. Taking naps during the day may help to stop you feeling so tired. However, if the lack of sleep at night is affecting your health or concentration levels during the day, you should speak to your GP or midwife.

Explanation

In the first three months of pregnancy (first trimester), you may feel more tired than usual and find that you need extra naps during the day. In the last three months (third trimester), however, you may have trouble sleeping due to various common ailments associated with pregnancy, such as backache, leg cramps and heartburn. Also you might find you need to get up more through the night to pass urine. Studies suggest that most women find it more difficult to sleep during the last trimester of pregnancy.

A very active baby can also keep you awake. You are more likely to notice the baby's movements when you are relaxed in bed than when you are rushing around during the day.

As your baby grows, you may find it difficult to get comfortable when you lie down. The best position is to lie on your side with your knees bent, as this stops your baby pressing against your large veins (which carry blood back to your heart), bladder and digestive system. However, as you change position or roll over during the night, you will still find that your sleep is disturbed. If you get lower backache, you may need to use extra pillows to make yourself more comfortable.

If your baby presses against your bladder, you may need to keep getting up to go to the toilet during the night. Although limiting the amount you drink in the evening may help, you shouldn't restrict the total amount of fluid you drink or you may become dehydrated. Don't have drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee and some fizzy drinks, as these act as stimulants on your brain and trigger your kidneys to produce more urine.

If you have leg cramps at night, you may ease the discomfort by getting out of bed and standing up on the cramped leg. A lack of calcium can make cramps worse, so you may need to eat more dairy products like milk and cheese. As many as 15 percent of pregnant women are prone to a specific type of discomfort that feels like something is crawling up their legs (this is known as 'restless leg syndrome'). This can disrupt their sleep, as it makes them want to kick their legs or even walk around.

Some pregnant women have vivid dreams or nightmares about the baby and about the birth. If you are worried about any aspect of the pregnancy or delivery, it's important to speak to your GP or midwife. Talking about your dreams may also help make them seem less frightening. You can also ask questions at your antenatal classes.

Sleeping pills and herbal sleep aids aren't recommended for pregnant women. Napping during the day will help if you feel tired, while the relaxation and breathing exercises that you learn at antenatal classes may help you to settle at night. You could try having a warm bath before you go to bed or listening to some soothing music. Not getting enough sleep won't harm you or your baby. However, if you feel exhausted or your concentration is affected during the day because you aren't getting enough sleep, it's important that you speak to your GP or midwife.

Further information

Sources

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Will my symptoms be worse if I'm expecting twins?

You may find that your pregnancy symptoms are worse if you're carrying more than one baby. All women who are expecting more than one baby are closely monitored during the pregnancy, as there is also an increased risk of more serious problems such as pre-eclampsia.

Explanation

If you are expecting twins or more than one baby, this is called a 'multiple pregnancy' or 'multiple birth'. In the UK, around one in every 65 pregnancies is a multiple birth. Twins are considered to be a high risk pregnancy, as there are extra demands on you (the mother) and your placenta, which your baby relies on. You will need to have extra antenatal appointments and scans, and you will usually be referred to an obstetrician - a doctor specialising in the care of women during pregnancy, labour and soon after the birth - for regular check-ups.

Your pregnancy symptoms are likely to be worse than if you were expecting one baby. If you are expecting more than one baby, you are at risk of anaemia, as your body's need for iron and other vitamins is increased. Your baby and placenta will need their own supply of iron, which they get from your iron stores. If your iron levels are low, you may need to take iron supplements.

Because you are carrying the weight of two babies, this can put extra pressure on your back and increase your risk of other common pregnancy ailments like heartburn and haemorrhoids.

Potentially serious pregnancy problems also tend to be worse in a multiple pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia (causing high blood pressure, protein in the urine and sometimes water retention) is two to three times more common in multiple pregnancies than in single pregnancies.

Further information

Sources

  • Multiple births factsheet: Twins and Multiple Births Association. www.tamba.org.uk, accessed 29 June 2008
  • Arulkumaran S, Symdonds IM, Fowlie A. Preparing for pregnancy. Oxford Handbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004:213-217
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What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?

Braxton-Hicks contractions are tightenings of the muscles in your womb (uterus). You are most likely to notice them from the middle of pregnancy until labour begins. The contractions are perfectly normal and should come and go. If they are painful, you should see your doctor or midwife.

Explanation

Braxton-Hicks contractions occur as the muscles of your womb contract several times a day, as if your womb is "practising" for labour. Although the contractions can begin quite early on in a pregnancy, most women don't become aware of them until the later stages when the womb grows larger and the muscles become stronger. The contractions may become quite intense and even painful at times, especially as your due date approaches. Although they may feel like the real thing, they will lessen in severity until they disappear altogether.

If you feel any discomfort during a contraction, it may help if you sit or lie down or get up and take a walk - you may need to try different things to ease the pain. Some women find that the Braxton-Hicks contractions are worse when they do any light physical activity, such as walking or housework. The contractions may also be more noticeable during or after sex. This is because the hormone oxytocin, which is released during sexual arousal, also causes the womb to contract.

Real labour contractions are very different to Braxton-Hicks contractions. They are much more regular, more forceful and painful and don't go away. So if your contractions come regularly, last more than 30 seconds and begin to feel stronger as they continue, labour may have started and it's important that you seek medical advice.

Further information

Sources

  • The Pregnancy Book. Department of Health, 2007. www.dh.gov.uk
  • Braxton-Hicks contractions. National Childbirth Trust. www.nct.org.uk, accessed 29 June 2008
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I have been getting headaches; is it common to have headaches during pregnancy?

It's normal for some women to have headaches in early pregnancy. However, severe or persistent headaches in pregnancy (especially late pregnancy) should be checked out by a doctor or midwife. They may be a sign of high blood pressure, which is associated with a potentially life-threatening condition called pre-eclampsia.

Explanation

It's estimated that up to eight in 10 women say that they have headaches in pregnancy, mainly in the first trimester. This is usually due to fluctuating hormone levels, especially oestrogen, in the same way that women can have headaches when they are on the oestrogen-containing contraceptive pill.

Headaches have various triggers, many of which are common during pregnancy. In early pregnancy, you may get morning sickness, which can cause low blood sugar and dehydration. You may also have headaches if you are not sleeping well. In the third trimester of pregnancy, some women develop a blocked or stuffy nose, as the pregnancy hormones make the lining of the nose swell up. This can trigger headaches and pain in your cheeks.

Eating some carbohydrate-rich foods (such as toast or a banana), drinking a glass of water, taking a brisk walk and/or getting some rest may help to relieve any headaches when they occur. Although you shouldn't take any medicines during pregnancy, you can check with your midwife or GP whether it's safe to take an occasional paracetamol tablet.

Some women with migraines find that their headaches improve during pregnancy. These tend to be women who have a specific type of migraine called 'migraine without aura', especially if their symptoms are usually linked to their menstrual cycle. Women who experience migraine with aura (headaches accompanied by flashing lights or nausea) may notice that their attacks continue during their pregnancy. Some migraine medicines are safe to take during pregnancy, but it's important to discuss this with your GP, midwife or consultant neurologist (a specialist doctor who treats migraines).

Severe headaches in pregnancy may be a sign of high blood pressure, which is associated with pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia affects one in 10 pregnancies. As well as high blood pressure, it can cause visual disturbances, fluid retention and high protein levels in the urine. It's usually diagnosed during routine blood pressure and urine testing at the antenatal appointments. In most cases, pre-eclampsia is mild, but it can cause serious problems for the mother and baby if it's left untreated. This is why it's important to mention your headaches to the health professional taking care of you during your pregnancy.

Further information

Sources

  • The Pregnancy Book. Department of Health, 2007. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 29 June 2008
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding and migraine. The Migraine Trust. www.migrainetrust.org, accessed 29 June 2008
  • Migraine and pregnancy factsheet. The London Migraine Clinic. www.migraineclinic.org.uk, accessed 29 June 2008
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: May 2009

 

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