Minor Body Changes of

Pregnancy:
The First Trimester
 Breast Tenderness
• One of the first symptoms noticed
• Most noticeable on exposure to cold air
• For most women, tenderness is minimal
 Palmar Erythema
• Caused by increased estrogen level
• Redness or itching of the palms
• As body adjusts to the increased level of
estrogen, the erythema and pruritus
disappear
 Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation,
and Pyrosis
• Very common to pregnant women
• These symptoms are related to nutrition
 Fatigue
• Extremely common in early pregnancy
• Caused by increased metabolic requirements
• Can cause increase morning nausea, nutrition
imbalance, varicosities and thromboembolic
complications
• At least take a short rest every day
 Muscle Cramps
• The interference of calcium and phosphorus
levels causes muscle cramps.
• Magnesium lactate or citrate is advised
 Hypotension
• Supine hypotension is a symptom that occurs
when a woman lies on her back and the
uterus presses on the vena cava, impairing
blood return to her heart.
 Varicosities
• The development of tortuous leg veins
• The weight of the distended uterus puts
pressure on the veins returning blood from
the lower extremities.
• Caution: women must not sit with their legs
crossed or knees bent and to avoid
constrictive knee-high hose or garters
Countermeasures:
• Sims position of supine position with legs
raised for 15-20 min twice a day
• Elastic support stockings
• Walk break at least twice a day
• Vitamins A,B, and C
 Hemorrhoids
• Varicosities of the rectal veins
Countermeasures:
• Daily bowel evacuation
• Drinking adequate fluid
• Eating adequate fiber
• Resting in sims position
• Knee-chest position for 10-15 min
• Stool softener
• Hemorrhoid cream
 Heart Palpitations
• On sudden movement, a pregnant woman
may experience a bounding palpitation of the
heart.
• This is probably because of circulatory
adjustments.
 Frequent Urination
• It occurs in early pregnancy because the
growing uterus presses on the anterior
bladder.
• Lasts 3 months
Caution:
• Women should not wait but to void as often
as necessary
• Ask if there’s pain or blood during voiding
Countermeasures:
• Suggest women not to restrict their fluid
intake
• Reduce the amount of caffeine intake
 Abdominal Discomfort
• Some women experience uncomfortable
feelings of abdominal pressure early in
pregnancy.
• When a woman stand up quickly, she may
experience a pulling pain in her right or left
lower abdomen from tension on a round
ligament.
 Leukorrhea
• It’s a whitish, viscous vaginal discharge
• Occurs due to the high estrogen level and
increased blood supply to the vaginal
epithelium and cervix
Countermeasures:
• Do daily bath
• Wear cotton underpants or perineal pads
• Avoid tight underpants and pantyhose
• Do not douch
• Do not use tampons
Minor Body Changes of
Pregnancy:
Second and Third Trimesters
 Muscular/Skeletal Discomfort
• As pregnancy advances, a lumbar lordosis
develops and postural changes necessary to
maintain balance lead to backache.
Countermeasures:
• Wear shoes with low-to-moderate heels
• Encourage woman to walk with her pelvis tilted
forward
• Apply heat locally
• Advise woman to squat and hold things closely
• Use firm mattress
• Obtain detailed account of a woman’s back
symptoms is crucial because back pain can be
an initial sign of a bladder or kidney infection.
• Acetaminophen is considered to be safe and
effective for relieving this type of pain.
• Caution woman not to take herbal remedies,
or other analgesics without consultation
 Headache
• This is due to the expanding blood volume
which puts pressure on cerebral arteries.
Countermeasures:
• Reduce eye strain
• Rest with an ice pack on the forehead
• Do not take compounds with ibuprofen
 Dyspnea
• As the expanding uterus places pressure on
the diaphragm, lung compression and
shortness of breath result.
Countermeasure:
• Advise woman to sleep with her head and
chest elevated so the weight of the uterus falls
away from her diaphragm.
 Ankle Edema
• Caused by general fluid retention and reduced
blood circulation in the lower extremities
because of uterine pressure.
• As long as proteinuria and hypertension are
absent, ankle edema of this nature is a normal
occurrence of pregnancy.
 Braxton Hicks Contractions
• As early as the 8th to 12th week, the uterus
periodically contracts and then relaxes.
• These contraction is termed Braxton Hicks
contraction.
• By middle or late pregnancy, the contractions
become so strong that it is felt with pain,
similar to a forceful menstrual cramp.
PREVENTING FETAL EXPOSURE
TO TERATOGENS
Effects of Teratogens on a Fetus
Teratogenic Maternal Infections
Malaria
Toxoplasmosis
Rubella (German Measles)
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2
(Genital Herpes Infection)
Cytomegalovirus
Other Viral Diseases
Potentially Teratogenic Vaccines
Teratogenic Drugs
Herbs
Teratogenicity of Alcohol
Teratogenicity of Tobacco
Environmental Teratogens
Metal and Chemical Hazards
Radiation
Hyperthermia and Hypothermia
Teratogenic Maternal Stress