10 Random Pregnancy Related Ailments

6. Dental Issues and Bleeding Gums

Pregnant women are more susceptible to dental diseases and bleeding gums due to hormonal changes making them more prone to plaque. Inflammation and bleeding due to a build up of plaque is known as gingivitis and can be exasperated by morning sicknesses/vomiting and acid reflux/heartburn. Proper dental care during pregnancy is essential to ensure there aren’t any problems once bub is born.

7. UTIs, Cystitis and Kidney Infections

You can have a UTI through any part of your urinary system, from kidneys to the urethra, and caused by bacteria. Cystitis is a bladder infection and presents itself with an incessant urge to pee and burning sensation when you do. Whilst mild UTIs and cases of cystitis are nothing to be alarmed about during pregnancy, they can lead to kidney infections if left untreated, which can cause all kinds of problems for you and your baby. Kidney Infections are caused by loss of bladder tone, increased pressure of uterus on ureters and high levels of progesterone causing dilation of ureters and slowing down the flow of urine. Because all these issues can mean you don’t empty your bladder completely, the risk of bacterial infection is higher.

8. Thrush

Vaginal infections are fairly common in pregnancy. Thrush is caused by a  microscopic fungus or yeast called candida albicans and causes itching, soreness and redness of the vagina, pain during sex, pain during urination and a ‘cottage-cheese’ like discharge. Thrush during pregnancy is caused by the higher levels of glycogen sugars in the vagina which help thrush thrive, and it isn’t a cause for concern whilst pregnant, however a newborn can contract thrush during labour if it is present in the vagina.

9. Pregnancy Incontinence

The leaking of urine when you cough, laugh or sneeze during pregnancy is all due to the mounting pressure of your expanding uterus on your bladder. Its annoying and can be embarrassing but it’s not harmful to you or bub. You just need to keep an eye out that what you are leaking is urine, not amniotic fluid. which can signal a membrane rupture and can be potentially dangerous for bub.

10. Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT is the formation of a blood clot, usually in the legs but occasionally in the pelvis, and can be fatal if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs. Pregnant women (around 2 out of 1000) are more likely to develop a clot, due to the slowing down of the blood in the body and the increased likelihood of clotting. DVT occurs later in pregnancy and anywhere up to 6 weeks after childbirth and is treated with blood thinning medication after pregnancy, and compression bandages and exercise during pregnancy.

There are many weird pregnancy related ailments that can flare up during child bearing. The main objective is to keep an eye on any changes you may experience and report them to your doctor or your midwife. After all, what may be nothing for one expectant mum, may signal the start of something life threatening for another.

Did you experience any of these pregnancy related ailments?

Sources:

www.wikipedia.org

www.whattoexpect.com

www.babycenter.com.au

www.rls.org – Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation

www.bellybelly.com.au

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice  https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information.  All information provided is correct at time of publication.