Nausea is one of the most frequent symptoms in the first few months of pregnancy. Almost 80% of future moms report having felt some kind of nausea or dizziness at the beginning of their pregnancy. You must also remember that the absence of nausea doesn’t mean that something is wrong with your pregnancy.

 Types of nausea

The word nausea or the term morning sickness is used to describe the discomfort and dizziness that most women feel during the first months of pregnancy. However, the types of nausea experienced may vary. Some future moms experience morning sickness, others may feel nausea, and some dizziness that might make them have to catch their breath or sit for a few minutes. There are also women who feel like vomiting, and others who actually vomit, in the morning or at any time throughout the day.

Although it’s common to experience morning sickness, it can strike at any time during the day. In the mornings, after a long period of fasting, nausea may be at its worst.

If you are one of those women who suffer nausea during pregnancy remember that you are not alone. 80% of women experience nausea with a gag reflex with or without vomiting during at least part of their pregnancy. Women, who don’t suffer from any stomach problems during pregnancy, or only occasional queasiness, are the exception and not the rule.

Emotional state

The constant feeling of nausea with or without vomiting may be very difficult to live with because it prevents you from leading your normal life. However eager you may have been to have a baby, these pregnancy symptoms will probably make you feel very bad and have you thinking about how you are going to get through the rest of the pregnancy under these conditions.

Don’t worry, because these feelings are totally normal and many future moms suffering nausea experience them often. It’s important not to forget, that except in very rare cases, they are a temporary situation in the first trimester and that you will soon start feeling better.

There is also a belief that suggests that a pregnancy with nausea is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. But if you don’t have these symptoms and yet your doctor tells you that everything is fine, you shouldn’t worry at all. On the contrary, enjoy not having the discomfort because your first trimester will be easier for you.

When to talk to your doctor

Feeling nauseated and even experiencing some vomiting during the first trimester is normal, nevertheless, when the nausea is severe and is accompanied by frequent vomiting, it’s important that you tell your doctor.

Contact your doctor immediately if you have been unable to keep anything down including fluids for the last 24 hours. This might be a sign of dehydration.

Another symptom that you must watch out for is dehydration. If you are going to the bathroom less and your urine is dark, this could be a sign of dehydration. Dry eyes and mouth and feeling weak are also symptoms of dehydration.

Remedies for nausea

Although suffering some type of nausea, dizziness or vomiting during the first trimester may be unavoidable there are certain steps you can take to make this period easier.

One of the worst moments for most women who suffer nausea is in the morning, just after waking up. An empty stomach might make you feel worse. You may feel relief by eating a snack right before bed and having one ready by your bedside table to eat as soon as you wake up. Many future moms find relief eating crackers, although any food your stomach tolerates will do.

Also, try to avoid having an empty stomach during the day and eat small but frequent meals or snacks. Foods that are digested slowly, like complex carbohydrates can help you prevent nausea. Foods like potatoes, pasta, breads or cereals are easy to digest and therefore may be of help.

Identify those things that make you feel sick. There are women who can’t stand certain smells during pregnancy because they trigger nausea. If you know what these smells are, try to anticipate them. For example, don’t go to places where people may be smoking, avoid certain perfumes or ask your husband to change the mouthwash he uses.

If you can’t avoid these smells, carry something in your purse to counteract them. Many future moms find the smell of fresh lemon very pleasing. Carry lemon or lime slices in your purse in a Ziploc bag and bring it to your nose if you find yourself in a situation you can’t “escape” from.

In spite of people’s well-intentioned advice, avoid home remedies and herbs. Even if they may seem harmless, some herbs and remedies may cause problems with your pregnancy and are not recommended. If your nausea doesn’t improve no matter what you do, talk to your doctor. Perhaps he can give you some type of medication to alleviate it.

During pregnancy and as the pregnancy progresses you might feel like urinating just a few minutes after having gone to the bathroom already. There are several factors that contribute to your needing to go to the bathroom so often and you might also feel this urge even at night.

Urinating during the first trimester

In the first trimester of your pregnancy there isn’t any pressure of the uterus on the bladder yet, but even so, it’s very possible that you will have to urinate more often. In fact, frequent urination is one of the early signs of pregnancy that you will notice.

During the first trimester your blood volume will increase dramatically. There is at least 40% more blood flowing through your body. This means that the amount of liquid that is going to your kidneys is much greater than usual. The more liquid your kidneys filter, the more often you will need to urinate.

This frequent need to go to the bathroom can be added to the sleep disturbances you might be having. If you avoid drinking any liquid about three hours before going to sleep, it’s possible that this will reduce the number of times you will have to go to the bathroom during the night. Don’t reduce the amount of liquid your body needs, because it is especially important to be well-hydrated during pregnancy. Simply vary the times when you drink water so that your bladder isn’t full at bed time.

The second trimester: some relief

Over the course of the second trimester, your urges to go to the bathroom may somewhat lessen.  Your body is getting used to the effects of your hormones during pregnancy. Moreover, although your uterus is growing, the growth is upwards and therefore you won’t feel the pressure on your bladder just yet. This will change over the course of your pregnancy. 

If you keep going to the bathroom frequently and it is accompanied by an itching or burning sensation, this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Contact your doctor immediately if you show any sign of these symptoms because it’s important to treat these types of infections as soon as possible.

Constant visits to the bathroom in the third trimester.

In the last weeks of your pregnancy the need to go to the bathroom may increase due to the pressure that the baby’s head places on the bladder. This is why you will sometimes feel the urge to go to the bathroom again immediately after having gone already, only to find you can only urinate a couple of drops.

Your doctor will keep checking during the scheduled prenatal appointments, to make sure there is no sign of a urinary tract infection because this could lead to preterm labor. It’s very important, in these last months leading up to labor to keep doing Kegel exercises. Practicing them will not only help you during labor but will also strengthen the pelvic floor postpartum. It’s common for some women to have leaks postpartum when coughing or sneezing. Kegel exercises will help maintain muscular tone in that area.

During pregnancy your body goes through huge changes. Some of them cause fluid retention and this is why you now find you have swollen legs when you never had them before.

Causes of bloating

In the first few weeks of your pregnancy your blood volume starts to increase significantly. In fact, during your pregnancy you will have 40% more blood volume than usual. This means that there are more fluids in your body.

In addition to this increase in blood, as your pregnancy progresses, your growing abdomen puts more pressure on the arteries of the pelvis making the flow of blood to your legs more difficult.

We mustn't forget the law of gravity. This greater amount of fluid weighs more and has to go down towards the legs, ankles and feet, which are the parts that usually become swollen. For this reason too, it's common to feel more bloated at the end of the day and especially if you have spent a long period of time sitting.

How to avoid bloating.

A certain degree of swelling in the ankles or in the legs, especially towards the end of your pregnancy is very common, but if you follow some or all of these tips you may reduce the amount of fluids you retain.

• Walk or swim. Exercise will help get fluids moving, and flush the excess that your body has accumulated. Swimming is especially good in the last months of pregnancy because it spares your joints the pressure of the added weight as your belly grows.

• Drink a lot of water. Water is a diuretic and will help you flush any excess fluids. Plain water is the best choice or water mixed with some juice. Avoid carbonated drinks because they will make you feel bloated.

• Put your feet up as often as you can throughout the day. If you work behind a counter or somewhere where you might have a small stool, alternate putting each foot up for about fifteen minutes.

• If you spend many hours sitting at work, don't forget to stand at least for a few minutes every hour. Walking a bit will help reduce the chance of your legs swelling. The same goes when traveling by plane for long hours. Stand and walk up and down the aisle to avoid circulatory problems

• Sleep on your left side. This will help blood flow. When you sleep on your side you are eliminating all the weight your belly exerts on the veins that carry blood to the lower limbs. 

Warning signs

Although a bit of fluid retention is normal during pregnancy, there is a serious disease that may occur during pregnancy called preeclampsia and requires urgent medical attention.

If you notice sudden swelling on your hands or face, you must call your doctor immediately. These symptoms may also be accompanied by headaches and vision changes.

Hemorrhoids may appear during pregnancy or after giving birth. They may be painless, itchy or downright painful. Hemorrhoids develop as a result of the side-effects of pregnancy such as constipation, increased pressure on the pelvic area, or the strain of pushing during labor.

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are like varicose veins; blood vessels that have become unusually swollen, and appear in the rectal area. They can be internal or external. They range in size: if they are not swollen they can be felt as a small wart, but if they have become swollen they may reach the size of a grape. The symptoms may include: rectal bleeding, itching and acute pain, depending on the degree of inflammation.

Causes

Hemorrhoids may appear at any time during pregnancy -even after giving birth- for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is constipation and the strain exerted during bowel movements. This affects the veins in the area, which can become swollen. Constipation is common in pregnancy; even in the first trimester, due to the effect hormones have on the digestive tract.

Pregnancy hormones relax the tissues of the digestive tract so the passing of food through the walls is slower than usual. When food remains longer in the intestine, it releases more gas (making you feel bloated).  Furthermore when feces remain that extra time in the digestive tract moisture is lost. As a result feces harden and may cause constipation.

Further along in the pregnancy, the pressure that the growing uterus exerts on the pelvic area may cause hemorrhoids. Just like varicose veins appear in legs due to bad circulation, the same occurs to the veins that bring blood flow to the rectal area. Some women might even develop varicose veins in the vulva.

It is also common for hemorrhoids to develop postpartum, due to pushing during delivery. These hemorrhoids might be especially uncomfortable if you require stitches in the vaginal area. 

Fortunately it's a temporary condition and there is treatment available.

How to prevent hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are sometimes unavoidable during pregnancy; nevertheless there are some steps you can take to delay them or relieve the symptoms. 

• Drink plenty of water. Water keeps feces hydrated and makes it easier for them to go though the intestine and thus avoids the strains that bring about hemorrhoids.

• Exercise. Exercise promotes movement in your intestinal tract and this helps feces go through more easily, counteracting the effects of pregnancy hormones.

• Eat foods high in fiber. Fiber makes it easier for food to go though the intestine. Foods like wheat bran are very good for this, and don't cause gas. 

• Avoid being seated for long periods of time. Poor blood circulation in that area can cause hemorrhoids. 

• Do Kegel exercises daily. Besides strengthening the muscles in the pelvic area for giving birth, it will help you prevent hemorrhoids.

Relief for hemorrhoids

If your hemorrhoids have become swollen, you will probably feel very uncomfortable. There are many things you can do to get relief. Your pharmacy carries medication to treat hemorrhoids, but you must be careful because these meds might contain cortisone, which is not recommended during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before using these products.

There are more natural ways to get relief:

• Apply ice. Bags of frozen peas are very useful because they adapt to any shape.

• Try alternating cold and warm treatments in a sitz bath.

• Avoid scented or colored toilet paper that may further irritate the area.

   

  Recommended Hyland's Products:
  Hyland's Hemmorex Ointment	Hyland's Hemorrhoids

If you are in the first few weeks of your pregnancy, you may be wondering why you are having so much intestinal discomfort. The bloating sensation and flatulence are symptoms of pregnancy which are just as likely at the beginning of your pregnancy as at the end.

Slower digestion

What causes intestinal gas problems during pregnancy and constipation is the effect of pregnancy hormones on the intestines. Due to the effect of these hormones, the intestinal tract relaxes and the digestive process slows down. This means that food remains longer in the intestine and therefore is fermented longer before being digested. This fermentation results in gas.

In the same way, since the passing of food through the small and large intestines is slower, feces lose moisture, causing constipation. Both gases and constipation can make you feel bloated and you may experience more flatulence than you usually would.

 How to relieve bloating?

For one thing you must cut out those foods known to cause gas, and now that you have this digestive condition, they may be even more difficult to process now. Among the foods more likely to cause gas are: leeks, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mackerel and peas. You should also avoid carbonated beverages, since they will only aggravate the problem further.

In general, think about what foods used to cause you gas or that do so now, and eat them in moderation or substitute them for others. During your pregnancy you need to stick to a healthy diet which includes fruits and vegetables, choosing those which you can digest more easily.

Besides avoiding these foods there are other things you can also do to help alleviate the symptoms:

• Exercise: exercise puts your digestive tract to work and that means that food can travel faster through the digestive tract and in doing so, avoid the production of gas or the hardening of feces.

• Drink a lot of water: even if you feel bloated and might think that drinking water will make it worse, try to drink more water than you usually would. When feces remain longer in the intestinal tract, they lose moisture and they harden. Hydration (drinking lots of fluids) will help you to avoid this.

• Eat slowly: Most of the gas that enters our digestive system  does so by way of swallowing. Chew slowly and don’t talk while you eat to avoid more air entering your system. Eat sitting upright and not leaning or lying down.

• Eat small meals: Big meals tend to produce more discomfort. If you eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, this will help food along your intestine. Avoid drinking during meals, and drink between them.

If none of these things bring you relief, talk to your doctor and ask him if you can take medication to eliminate gas. Don’t take over the counter medications without first talking to your doctor.

Fatigue or tiredness is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, which almost all women experience at some time. Creating life inside of you is a job that requires a lot of energy and fatigue is a symptom of the strain your body is undergoing.

Exhaustion early in your pregnancy

One of the first symptoms of pregnancy is the fatigue that you will experience during the first weeks of your pregnancy and probably throughout the first trimester. During those first days your body is working full throttle, creating the basic structures for the development of your baby: placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic sac.

In addition, the volume of your blood will increase greatly in those few weeks, with the added effort that this requires. Some experts have even compared the work that a pregnant woman's body does in a state of rest, with the work done by a climber going up a mountain. Because of this it is very common to feel exhausted and to fall asleep often, anywhere, from sheer exhaustion. 

Giving your body the rest it needs is very important for your wellbeing in these first weeks. Try to go to bed at least two hours earlier than you usually would and take all the naps you can throughout the day, even in your car, in the parking lot, if you have to.

Fortunately, this exhaustion subsides during the second trimester, in which you will probably have more energy and vitality, although you should still rest as much as possible.

Fatigue in the last weeks of pregnancy.

After the initial onset of fatigue early in pregnancy, another stage in which you may experience fatigue is in the last trimester. At that stage your body is not making such an effort to form new structures, but it is harder to move around and go about your daily chores with the excess weight that you are carrying now.

As the weeks go by, the increase in the size of your belly will make your gait and posture change. Now you will walk leaning back a bit to compensate for the change in the center of gravity of your body. This requires an added effort.

In addition, due pregnancy hormones, your muscles are much more relaxed and flexible to make labor easier. Although this is very good when giving birth, this makes you even more tired because your muscles are not responding as they normally would.

Relief from fatigue.

In an ideal world, pregnant women would be able to rest all they needed to, whenever they needed to. But in real life this is not always the case, especially if you work and have to stick to a schedule, no matter how tired you are. Although it's normal to experience some fatigue during your pregnancy, there are a series of things you can do to make it more manageable.

• Rest as much as possible whenever you can. A fifteen minute nap might be enough to shake of fatigue for a while. Don't miss a chance to get some shut-eye wherever, whenever: in the rest area in your office, in your car, in the bus or train (making sure you don’t miss your stop!) or anywhere else.

• Sleep more hours. Not only by taking naps but by going to bed earlier than usual. Forget your obligations for the time being because your job now is to rest as much as possible for yourself and your baby.

• Talk to your partner about your exhaustion and have him come with you to your doctor’s appointments, so that he understands that fatigue is part of your pregnancy. Together, try to design a plan to get the household chores done while you also get the rest you need.

• Keep yourself hydrated. Keeping your body properly hydrated will keep you from feeling so exhausted. Drink as much as you need.

• Exercise. Although you might think it is the opposite of rest, exercise will energize you and will help you ease other symptoms like insomnia or constipation.

And above all, take things easy. Right now there is nothing as important as your health and your baby's.

It's possible that at some point during your pregnancy you feel, or have already experienced, shortness of breath or breathlessness. This is common during these months. At the beginning of your pregnancy you may experience shortness of breath for certain reasons and at the end for other different reasons, but in general, it's harmless, although it may be a bit unpleasant.

Causes of shortness of breath

One of the hormones which are produced during pregnancy is progesterone, which enables you to take in more air with each breath. Thanks to this increase in the air you take in, more oxygen gets to your baby. This new sensation when breathing may sometimes be felt as shortness of breath.

Later on, as the weeks progress, your growing uterus will start putting pressure on your diaphragm, causing you to feel short of breath. You may feel these changes by the third trimester as the 30th week of pregnancy begins.

This feeling may diminish significantly in the last weeks of your pregnancy, when the baby starts starts positioning itself for birth and in doing so leaves  more space for the lungs to expand.

However, if you travel to a place that is higher in altitude than were you live, you may feel even more breathless, now that you are pregnant.

What to do when you feel short of breath

As with other symptoms and discomforts that arise in pregnancy, there is little you can do about shortness of breath because it is part of the gestational process, and of the work hormones are doing so that everything goes well. Nevertheless, there are some measures you can take that might help you get some relief from the difficulties you are having  breathing, which many women find quite unpleasant.

• Try to move slowly so that your lungs have to make less of an effort and rest as soon as you feel the least bit exhausted. Don’t push yourself, because you’ll feel even more breathless.

• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes. Don't wear pants or skirts with elastic bands that are too tight and make sure that you wear a bra that is comfortable and doesn’t compress your upper abdomen.

• When sitting, especially if you spend long stretches of time sitting at work, adopt a posture that enables air to enter your lungs and this prevent the feeling of breathlessness.

• If you feel you have difficulty breathing at bedtime, propping yourself up with a few pillows might bring you some relief and enable you to breathe better.

• Avoid traveling to high altitudes, since your breathing might become more difficult.

Warning signs

 Sometimes shortness of breath may be a sign of other problems, especially if shortness of breath becomes severe or is accompanied by other symptoms. You must be alert and talk to your doctor if the shortness of breath comes on suddenly, have a rapid pulse, or if some parts of your body have a blue tinge such as your lips, fingers or toes.

Shortness of breath could also be linked to an asthma attack. Asthma may sometimes worsen during pregnancy. Your doctor should rule out the possibility that this breathlessness is caused by asthma.

Migraines are currently a common condition nowadays. According to the data, due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, these strong headaches usually improve. However, there are a percentage of women for whom this is not true.  

Headaches and migraines

Even though you may have never suffered from migraines, or at least not regularly, you may experience headaches during your first three months of pregnancy.  There are two factors that affect this condition: on the one hand, the changes in hormonal levels are partly to blame for this problem and on the other, the concerns and worries that usually come hand in hand with the news of impending motherhood also have a strong emotional component that could cause tension and therefore headaches.

Headaches are defined as a pain that can affect the forehead, the area above your eyes, the space between your ears or the nape of the neck or the top of your neck. Primary headaches are those that are isolated, while secondary headaches are a consequence of an illness.

Tension headaches are the most common types of tension headaches. In general, they are located on the upper neck or feel like a band that goes from the lower neck to the forehead and are not as intense as migraines.

Migraines tend to affect women more than men and it is common for sufferers to have a family history of them. A typical migraine affects only one side of the head, it’s a pulsating pain and may last between 4 and 72 hours. Migraines may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound and a lot of people see a kind of aura before the onset of the migraine.

Although nowadays there is effective medication for migraines, these meds may affect your pregnancy, reason for which you should check with your doctor before taking anything and also to see what kind of pain-killers you can use to alleviate pain.  

In order to prevent headaches

The best remedy for headaches is undoubtedly prevention.  There are activities and foods that appear to trigger migraines in some people. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these triggers could be different for each person. Weather changes, stress or certain foods could trigger a headache. Try to figure out if, after doing a certain activity or eating a certain food, you get a headache. Some people keep a “log” of activities and foods in order to identify what happened right before the headache or migraine started.  

Other prevention measures include exercising regularly and doing relaxation exercises. This could eliminate daily part of the stress that could bring on the headache.  

Remedies for pain

Migraine pain can get to be really intense, but there are certain measures that can diminish it, or at least, prevent it from getting worse.  Rest and relaxation improve the progression of a headache. If the pain is pulsating, sometimes a cold compress on the headache or the point of pain may alleviate it.  

In any case, if headaches are very severe towards the third trimester, you should contact your doctor, because it could be a symptom of another problem, such as high blood pressure or a condition known as preeclampsia. 

If morning sickness or nausea is the most common discomfort during the first trimester, back pain is undoubtedly the number one discomfort doctors hear about in prenatal visits. The weight of your belly on your back and your new gait when you walk are to blame for this common condition.  

A new curvature

You may not have noticed, but your gait now is different from what it used to be like. The weight of your belly pulls you forward and in order to keep your balance, you have to lean back. Due to this abnormal posture, your spine adopts an unnatural curve. and muscles in your back are constantly tense.

This problem entails an added factor. Pregnancy hormones relax your muscles and these therefore do not give the support they usually provide your spine with.  

All these circumstances cause back pain to be almost inevitable during the last few months of pregnancy, especially if your abdomen protrudes significantly due to your body build.  

Sciatica

Sometimes, back pain has an additional variable that is more problematic and is known as sciatica. Due to muscle relaxation and the pressure on the spine, sometimes one of the cartilage discs that are between the vertebrae may be displaced and therefore put pressure on one of the sciatic nerves. Sciatic nerves run from the lower back to the leg and run through the gluteus.  

The pain of the sciatic nerve is very characteristic. You feel like a line of pain that runs from your back to the leg, and it is sometimes so intense that you may require bed-rest until the inflammation subsides. The less severe cases may be treated with ice, a girdle or brace in order to alleviate the weight of the belly on the back, or with anti-inflammatory medication.

Suggestions to alleviate back pain

Being in good shape may avoid or reduce this type of pain, because when the muscles that support the back are stronger, there is less stress on the back. But if the pain is already there, following are some suggestions to alleviate it:  

• Don’t wear high heels. 3 or 4 cm. will be more comfortable.

• When sitting, especially if you spend many hours at the office, place a small cushion in the small of your back in order to support the area that causes the most discomfort.  

• If you work at a desk for many hours a day, do your best to shift positions and –even better- to walk around every half hour, more or less.  

• Sleep with a big pillow between your knees in order to avoid further stress on your spine.  

• Swim regularly. Practicing this sport will be very alleviating because, besides strengthening your muscles, you are weightless in water and your muscles don’t have to work as hard in order to hold up your belly.

Precaution with certain traditional massage therapies

It’s tempting to seek out back manipulation from a massage therapist, osteopath or chiropractor, in order to alleviate pain in these last months. However, maneuvers and adjustments that happen in these practices may be hazardous for pregnancy.

The best thing to do when you feel that you need a massage is to visit a professional masseur. Some are licensed or experienced in pregnancy massage, and this is therefore your safest option.

During pregnancy, the abdomen is subjected to a lot of changes and pressures. Some women may feel discomfort in this area during pregnancy that could be due to stomach problems that are common in pregnancy, or due to colic that is painful and causes vomiting or other symptoms. It’s important that your doctor knows your history and activities in order to be able to effectively treat you.  

Stomach and intestinal conditions

Heavy digestions during pregnancy are a common condition that can sometimes cause abdominal pain. Due to the action of pregnancy hormones, intestinal tissue relaxes, thus making the passage of food slower, which causes discomfort.  This also causes gas, that can sometimes be very painful. If nausea is very acute and causes vomiting, it can also be responsible for much of the abdominal discomfort.

Whatever the problem is, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible regarding any condition that causes abdominal pain, in order to rule out any condition that may require treatment.

Gall-bladder colic

Women of Mexican origin are especially affected by a condition that could be mistaken with the discomfort of morning sickness or nausea.  The gall-bladder stores bile, which helps us digest food, and can sometimes be affected by the action of pregnancy hormones.  

The function of the gall-bladder is to store bile in order to digest fats in the small intestine. In order for bile to reach the small intestine, the gall-bladder must contract. During pregnancy, the tissue of this organ is more relaxed, and the contraction is not as efficient. When the gall-bladder is unable to eliminate all the bile, the latter becomes denser and it can form stones that obstruct the release of bile. This gives way to colic which causes abdominal pain.

Usually, women who have not had gall-bladder problems can naturally compensate for the tissue relaxation, but if they have a history of gall-bladder problems, or if they are of Mexican origin, they may end up having colic.

Treatment of gall-bladder conditions

It is possible to find out, through an ultrasound, if you have gall-bladder stones or sediments. With proper diet and medication, you may continue with your pregnancy without requiring surgery. In the event of severe colic, or when the gall-bladder becomes infected, the doctor will determine whether the possible consequences of this condition on your pregnancy are riskier than undergoing surgery to remove the gall-bladder.  

If your nausea doesn’t subside in the first three months and if you experience abdominal pain, ask your doctor whether gall-bladder colic could be the problem, especially if you have a history of it.

Pelvic pain

A rather common discomfort of pregnancy is pelvic pain. This is usually due to what we know as the stretching of round ligaments. The uterus and ovaries are held by ligaments that run from the groin to the uterus. These ligaments, as pregnancy goes on, undergo a lot of stretching on the one hand, and the pressure of the baby’s weight on the other. This can sometimes cause intense pain.

This discomfort is different from what you feel when you are having contractions. However, if you cannot differentiate them, or if you are not sure whether the pain or discomfort you feel is due to the stretching of round ligaments, check with your doctor.