Sure, pregnancy is without a doubt an undeniably magical experience, but let’s be honest — it’s not always rainbows and sunshine. Between the nausea and fluctuating hormones, making a new tiny human is not for the faint of heart. Not to worry, though; 8 Sheep Organics is here to help!
From restless legs and sore breasts to backache and cramps, here are six common pregnancy pains and how to remedy them:
1. Morning Sickness
Ah, morning sickness. This unpleasant pregnancy symptom is very common in early pregnancy. It can affect you at any time of the day or night; in some cases, you may feel sick to your stomach from sun-up to sun-down. In other words, the “morning” part of this not-so-wonderful ailment is quite the misnomer.
Morning sickness strikes during the first trimester when pregnancy hormones are swirling and typically subsides around the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy.
While there’s no cure, there are a few things you can do to try and find relief from morning sickness, such as:
- Drink 8 Sheep Organics Bedtime Tea. This snoozy tea is masterfully made with organic chamomile — an earthy herb that has been used for centuries to relax an uneasy gut and soothe nausea.
- Avoid triggers. Pay close attention to which foods seem to set off your nausea and steer clear of them.
- Drink plenty of H2O. Dehydration can quickly contribute to nausea, so keep your fluid levels in check by drinking 8 to 12 cups of water daily.
2. Round Ligament Pain
As your uterus and surrounding ligaments stretch in preparation for your growing baby, round ligament pain is sure to follow suit. This common pregnancy symptom affects up to 30 percent of pregnant women and is typically felt in the lower belly and groin due to a growing uterus. Although it can feel different from person to person, most moms-to-be describe it as sharp, shooting pain or a jabbing feeling.
Bottom line — it doesn’t feel good, but there are some things you can do to find relief:
- After getting the go-ahead from your OBGYN, take over-the-counter acetaminophen for the pain.
- Avoid sudden movements that may cause stretching and exacerbate your pain.
- Apply 8 Sheep Organics Sleepy Body Lotion, which is infused with magnesium to help ease aches and pain.
3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
If you’re one of the millions of women who have ever experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI), then you know firsthand how awful they can be.
Between the horrible burning sensation when urinating to the pelvic pain and cramps or pressure in the lower abdomen, a UTI can be extremely uncomfortable. Now, throw pregnancy and morning sickness into the mix, and this common bladder infection isn’t something we would wish on our worst enemy.
You'll likely need a round of antibiotics to kick your pesky UTI to the curb. So if you think you might have one after noticing a few warning signs, make an appointment with your OBGYN for treatment.
4. Backache
Lower back pain is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms, affecting up to 80 percent of pregnant women — especially in the third trimester.
This uncomfortable pain can manifest in many ways, including a dull ache or sharp, burning pain in the lower back area to one-sided pain that radiates from the back and buttocks to the thigh and down the foot (called sciatica).
Many things can lead to an achy-breaky back, but the most common culprits include fluctuating hormones, loosening ligaments, increasing baby weight, posture changes, and muscle strain.
In other words, backache can sometimes be inevitable. Not to worry, though — here are a few tips that might be able to help:
- Take a warm bath using 8 Sheep Organics Therapeutic Bath Salts. The warm water stimulates blood flow and good circulation to stiff muscles and joints, while our oh-so-soothing blend of salts provides an indulgent experience to relieve stress. Ahh, what’s not to love!?
- With your doctor’s approval, you may be able to carefully use a heating pad. Consult your doctor to confirm whether this is safe during your pregnancy.
- Get a prenatal massage from an experienced masseuse to promote tranquility, lower stress levels, reduce swelling (edema), stimulate tissues, and combat pain.
- Use 8 Sheep Organics Magnesium Lotion to gently ease lower back and hip pains.
5. Constipation
According to the American Pregnancy Association, constipation during pregnancy is a very common problem, with nearly half of all pregnant women getting constipated at some point or another. This unfavorable symptom occurs when there’s abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult and infrequent bowel movements, and the passage of rock-hard stools. Ouch!
The good news is that there are several things you can do to help keep constipation at bay, such as:
- Eat a high-fiber diet to ensure bulkier stools that are easier to pass
- Drink lots of fluids to keep everything moving smoothly
- Fill up on probiotic-rich foods to support a healthy and happy gut
6. Restless Legs
Restless legs (or restless legs syndrome) is another super common symptom many pregnant women face during pregnancy. It varies widely in severity, from a barely-noticeable nuisance in some soon-to-be mamas to severe, disruptive symptoms in others. Although everyone is different, restless legs and leg cramps typically peak during the third trimester and markedly improve after delivery.
If restless legs syndrome is plaguing your pregnancy — especially when you’re trying to catch some much-needed Zzzs — there are many steps you can take to find relief, including:
- Practice prenatal yoga
- Massage your legs
- Take a warm, soothing bath
- Get up and walk to stretch your legs
- Apply a cold compress such as an ice pack
We also recommend 8 Sheep Organics Sleepy Body Lotion. This magnesium-rich lotion works like a dream to prevent restless legs and leg cramps while easing lower back and hip pains. To promote a deeper and more restful snooze, simply apply two to three teaspoons of lotion onto sore spots for a good night’s rest that’s free of pain.
A Final Word
Aches and pains are quite common during pregnancy, but severe pain that seems to worsen, regardless of how hard you try to find relief, is not. Listen, mama —you know your body best; if something truly doesn’t feel right, check in with your obstetricians. A healthcare provider can get to the bottom of your symptoms and lead you in the right direction so you can start feeling better sooner rather than later.
Take a deep breath. You got this!
Sources:
Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future | PMC
How much water should I drink during pregnancy? | ACOG
Back Pain During Pregnancy | ACOG
Constipation During Pregnancy | ACOG
Are probiotics safe for use during pregnancy and lactation? | PMC
Urinary Tract Infection In Pregnancy - StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf