How Are You During Trimesters
3rd Trimester ~ Common Complaints, Natural Solutions
Pregnancy, a time when a woman glows with the anticipation of her new joy; the life she brings into this world, a time of wonder, a time of amazement, a time that can feel like an eternity when common complaints of pregnancy make us feel less than glowing! Although pregnancy is a wondrous thing the back aches, breathlessness, rib pain and high blood pressure can leave a woman worn out and overwhelmed. Fortunately there are natural solutions for common complaints that really do work.
In the Third Trimester most women begin feeling just as bad if not worse than they felt in the first trimester of pregnancy. The fewer complaints in the second trimester from what was felt in the First Trimester was like a welcomed vacation; however in the third trimester we come back home and it is fully evident that we are very, very pregnant.
Back aches and rib pain is experience in nearly every pregnancy and can range from fairly mild to extreme. The pain of a back ache is usually in the lower back and goes down the legs; this can be aggravated by standing for long periods of time. Twisting or turning as well as poor positioning while sleeping also causes and contributes to back pain. Hormones again are at play in this situation that will allow your joints and ligaments to loosen to assist your body and prepare it for birth. Massages for the back and strengthening exercises can help as well as proper alignment from a chiropractor, wearing flat supportive shoes and sleeping on a firm mattress. The rib pain that is often felt is usually caused by the uterus pressing into the abdomen and in turn into your ribs. Tiny baby feet will find there way under the rib cage as well as baby stretches in the head down position preparing for birth. There is little that can be done for this complaint other than wearing comfortable loose clothes and stretching the abdomen a bit with an exercise ball or by leaning into a wall as you face it.
Along with the rib pain many women experience breathlessness, like there is just not enough room for baby and lungs too, this is kind of often the case. Often breathlessness and rib pain will subside a bit after week 36 when the baby drops into the birthing position. Propping up with pillows while laying down or even sitting can help move the baby off of the diaphragm, experiment with positions to find what is most comfortable and effective is about the only solution.
High blood pressure can be common and must be addressed in pregnancy. High blood pressure in pregnancy needs to be carefully monitored by a health care provider to avoid serious complications such as eclampsia and even death. Some ways to prevent high blood pressure before it begins is a healthy diet, avoiding caffeine, spicy foods and nicotine and exercising regularly. Mild to moderate high blood pressure can often be controlled by deep relaxation, meditation, eating raw garlic, parsley and onion as well as cucumber. Always follow the recommendations of the health care provider and check with him or her before any herbal or other supplements.
Just as there are many different complaints in the third trimester there are many different solutions and one of the best ways to obtain information is in mass numbers of experience. Reading books, web sites and message boards often can provide the information that not only matches the symptom but the personality as well. Seeing out the camaraderie of others who are going through it too gives a sense of community that can ease those blues. Remember to check with a health care provider before following herbal or any advice that creates a feeling of doubt…better to be safe.
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