Symptoms and common complaints
Most of what a pregnancy throws at you is uncomfortable rather than dangerous. These pages describe the common complaints, what causes them, and the signs that mean you should speak to a midwife or doctor.
All 67 pages in symptoms and common complaints
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7 Reasons for Cramping in Early Pregnancy
7 Reasons for Cramping in Early Pregnancy If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy and have been experiencing some cramping, you may be worried about…
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8 Effective Ways to Combat Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
8 Effective Ways to Combat Leg Cramps During Pregnancy Leg cramps often strike during pregnancy, especially when you’re lying down.
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Abdominal Pain or Cramps during Pregnancy
Is it normal to have abdominal pain or cramps during pregnancy? Having occasional mild to moderate abdominal pain is normal throughout pregnancy [1] .
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Acne during Pregnancy
It is quite normal to experience skin changes in pregnancy with some women having oily skin problems while others dealing with extremely dry skin.
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Back Pain during Pregnancy
Is upper and lower back pain normal in pregnancy? Back pain is quite common in pregnancy with most women experiencing mild to moderate pain in the lower [1]…
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Best Positions to Sleep When You’re Pregnant
Best Positions to Sleep When You’re Pregnant Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, getting comfortable can be downright difficult! No wonder…
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Bleeding Gums during Pregnancy
Do not be too surprised if you find your gums more prone to soreness, swelling and even occasional bleeding while you are pregnant.
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Braxton Hicks Contractions
Braxton Hicks Contractions Definition Braxton Hicks contractions or “false” labor pain occur during pregnancy, often before the beginning of the actual labor…
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Breast Changes in Early Pregnancy: What You Can Expect
Breast Changes in Early Pregnancy: What You Can Expect Pregnancy is a happy time for most women but also a time of change.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during Pregnancy
What is the carpal tunnel syndrome The tingling sensation often felt in the hands and fingers by pregnant women is known as the carpal tunnel syndrome [1] .
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Chest Pain during Pregnancy
Experiencing chest pain with or without a little shortness of breath is reasonably common during pregnancy, along with all the other aches and pains…
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Constipation During Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms and Relief Tips
Women often experience mild to severe constipation at any stage of pregnancy, but more commonly in early pregnancy ( 1 ) .
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Dealing with Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
You can have varicose veins whether you’re pregnant or not, but those conspicuous, bulging veins become more common when you’re pregnant.
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Depression During Pregnancy
Most women feel that they should be glowing with happiness while carrying. So, developing symptoms of depression often make them feel guilty, thinking they…
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Diarrhea During Pregnancy
Many women experience diarrhea or frequent watery bowel movements, often within a few hours of taking a meal, during various stages of pregnancy.
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Dizziness during Pregnancy
It is quite normal to feel a little dizzy and lightheaded while you are pregnant. Most women experience these symptoms due to the normal body changes…
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Dry Mouth During Pregnancy
Is dry mouth an early sign of pregnancy? Dry mouth is a common symptom during the first trimester, often becoming more severe at night [1, 2, 3] .
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False Positive Pregnancy Tests: How Common Are They?
If you’re hoping to be pregnant, a false pregnancy test is a huge disappointment. Although false pregnancy tests are rare, they do happen.
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Fatigue during Pregnancy
Plenty of women experience extreme fatigue during pregnancy. It is perfectly normal to feel tired when you are pregnant as your body undergoes many changes…
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Fever and Chills during Pregnancy
Are fever and chills early signs of pregnancy ? Having body temperature above the normal limit of 98.6° F (37° C) is considered a fever [1] .
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Five Common Breast Changes in Early Pregnancy
Five Common Breast Changes in Early Pregnancy Breast changes are likely to appear just a few weeks into a pregnancy–in fact, this symptom is often the first…
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Five Powerful Stretches to Combat Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy
Five Powerful Stretches to Combat Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy Along with round ligament pain , sciatic nerve pain is one of the most common causes of…
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Frequent Urination in Pregnancy
Frequent Urination During Pregnancy: Is It Normal? Are trips to the restroom becoming more frequent? When you’re pregnant, so many changes happen to your…
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Gas and Bloating during Pregnancy
It is completely normal to have a little gas along with bloating, regardless of whether you are pregnant or not.
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Headaches during Pregnancy
Almost all women experience varying degrees of headache at some point during their pregnancy.
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Heart Palpitations During Pregnancy
If you notice palpitations during pregnancy, should you be concerned? Palpitations are the sensation that your heart is pounding, thumping too quickly or…
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Heartburn during Pregnancy
Heartburn is a burning sensation felt in the esophagus and chest due to indigestion and reflux of stomach acids.
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Hemorrhoids during Pregnancy
What are hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids, also referred to as piles, can be defined as varicose veins (swollen painful veins) of the anal canal or rectum [1] .
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Hives During Pregnancy
Hives, also known as urticaria, is one of the less common skin changes experienced by pregnant women, alongside the common ones such as skin darkening and…
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How to Tackle 5 Causes of Vaginal Itching During Pregnancy
How to Tackle 5 Causes of Vaginal Itching During Pregnancy If your vagina becomes irritated, itchy or swollen during pregnancy, this is because of some kind…
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Insomnia during Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when you require long hours of sleep more than ever, but at the same time, getting a good night’s sleep may seem harder than ever during…
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Insomnia During Pregnancy: Tips for Getting More Restful Sleep
Insomnia During Pregnancy: Tips for Getting More Restful Sleep Insomnia and pregnancy often go hand in hand.
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Is the Second Pregnancy Harder?
You might assume, as many people do, that the second pregnancy is easier than the first. After all, you’ve already conceived a child and brought a child into…
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Itchy Skin during Pregnancy
It is quite common to have dry and itchy skin in pregnancy [1] . However, that does not mean that it is not extremely irritating to have to itch all over all…
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Leg Cramps during Pregnancy
Leg cramps are involuntary muscle contractions affecting the calves, feet and sometimes the upper leg.
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Linea Nigra
What is linea nigra? Linea nigra, literally meaning ‘the black line’, is one of the most common signs of pregnancy , characterized by a dark brownish line…
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Losing Weight While Pregnant
Is it normal to lose weight in the first trimester It is more conventional for women to gain weight during pregnancy, as their baby develops over the months.
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Mask of Pregnancy (Chloasma)
What is melasma or the mask of pregnancy? Appearance of dark patches on the face, especially on the forehead and cheeks is called melasma or melasma…
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Metallic Taste in Mouth during Pregnancy
What is dysgeusia or metallic taste in mouth Dysgeusia is the medical term for a sour, salty, somewhat bitter, in general a metallic or copper taste in mouth…
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Nausea (Morning Sickness) During Pregnancy
Definition of Morning Sickness Morning sickness is a popular nickname for a medical term “nausea and vomiting of pregnancy” or NVP ( 1 ) .
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Nosebleeds during Pregnancy
Having your nasal passages all clogged up is pretty common in pregnancy, and it is quite natural to get worried if you also start having nosebleeds.
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Pelvic Pain during Pregnancy
Pelvic pain, also referred to as PPGP (pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain), is a normal symptom associated with pregnancy.
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Pregnancy and Hair Loss
Pregnancy brings several changes in the body, hair loss being one of them. Although it is not unusual to witness excessive hair loss after delivery, many…
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Pregnancy Cravings: Why You Have Them and How to Manage Them
Pregnancy Cravings: Why You Have Them and How to Manage Them Are you dreaming of popsicles, pickles, or other foods you might not normally obsess over?…
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Pregnancy Rhinitis: What Is It and What Can You Do About It?
Pregnancy Rhinitis: What Is It and What Can You Do About It? So many changes happen to your body when you’re pregnant.
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Pregnancy Weight Gain: What to Expect Week by Week
Pregnancy Weight Gain : What to Expect Week by Week It’s common to be somewhat anxious about weight gain during pregnancy–where will the extra weight be more…
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Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
What is premature rupture of membranes (PROM) As you approach your due date, your body prepares for childbirth.
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Ptyalism
If it’s your first pregnancy, it’s hard to know what to expect. Your experience may be quite different from another woman at your stage of pregnancy.
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Quickening during Pregnancy: What Does It Mean and When Does It Happen?
Quickening during Pregnancy: What Does It Mean and When Does It Happen? Some of the symptoms of pregnancy are inconvenient and unpleasant, such as morning…
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Rashes During Pregnancy: The Three Most Common Types
Rashes During Pregnancy: The Three Most Common Types Is there one thing about your body that doesn’t seem to change with pregnancy? While your stomach is…
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Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) during Pregnancy
Restless leg syndrome, also referred to as RLS, is a normal occurrence during pregnancy. Marked by an intense urge to move the legs while at rest due to…
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Round Ligament Pain
What is Round Ligament Pain? Ligaments supporting the uterus and connecting it to the groin region are collectively known as the round ligaments.
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Sciatica During Pregnancy
What is Sciatica? Sciatica is the common name given to a set of symptoms caused by compression and irritation of the sciatic nerves.
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Sensitive Teeth in Pregnancy
Your body changes during pregnancy and the changes can affect body parts you wouldn’t expect, including your teeth.
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Shortness of Breath during Pregnancy
Is it normal to feel out of breath during pregnancy Like heartburn , indigestion and constipation , shortness of breath is yet another delightful symptom…
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Signs of Contractions and When to Call Your Doctor
Uterine contractions are the body’s way of moving your baby down the birth canal and into the world.
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Signs of Contractions: How Do You Know When You’re Ready to Deliver?
Signs of Contractions: How Do You Know When You’re Ready to Deliver? Contractions – they’re uncomfortable, in fact, downright painful.
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Six Key Differences Between Braxton Hicks and Labor
Six Key Differences Between Braxton Hicks and Labor After the midpoint of your pregnancy, you may become aware of muscular tightening in your womb.
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Swelling during Pregnancy
Edema or swelling of the legs and arms is a normal sign of pregnancy [1] . The body changes occurring during this time are to be blamed for the symptom,…
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Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, also known as SPD, is a common painful condition associated with pregnancy in which the ligaments responsible for the proper…
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Tailbone Pain During Pregnancy – Causes and Treatment
Tailbone Pain (Coccyx Pain, Coccydynia) Location and Symptoms Tailbone pain is a sharp or dull pain on the end of the spine — in the lower back between the…
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Umbilical Cord Prolapse
What is a prolapsed umbilical cord? The umbilical cord is the tube-like structure extending through the placenta to the baby within the uterus, acting as his…
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Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: What’s Normal, and What’s Not
Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: What’s Normal, and What’s Not It’s natural to be anxious about vaginal discharge during pregnancy, especially if this is…
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Weight Gain during Pregnancy
It is normal to gain some weight during pregnancy as a result of the hormonal and other changes occurring in your body.
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What Are False Contractions?
You’re waiting to feel those first contractions – a sign that you’re ready to deliver! Yet, before you have your first REAL contractions, you may have false…
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What You Should Know About Cold Sores during Pregnancy
What You Should Know About Cold Sores during Pregnancy Cold sores can happen anytime. In fact, nine out of ten adults experience one or more cold sores over…
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Why You Need a Pregnancy Pillow
Why You Need a Pregnant Pillow What’s a pregnant pillow and what can it do for you? If you’re lying awake, tossing and turning and sleep just won’t come,…