The Anything-But-Glamour Department

The Anything-But-Glamour Department: Three Pregnancy Complaints You Should Know About

Everyone talks up that pregnancy glow. [link to article about skin changes during pregnancy ] What the pregnancy buzz squad often neglects to inform you about—at least until after you're decidedly "with child"—are the decidedly less glamorous aspects of pregnancy. In the interests of full disclosure (e.g., letting prospective mothers know what they're getting into before they get it on), here is the lowdown on three pregnancy complaints that you definitely need to know about: nasal congestion and nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and hemorrhoids.

Nasal congestion and nosebleeds

If you get hit with a permanent case of the sniffles the moment the pregnancy test comes back positive, you may start to wonder if you’re allergic to being pregnant. Here's a more logical explanation: The very same hormones that are softening up your vagina and cervix in preparation for birth are also causing the mucus membrane tissues inside your nostrils to swell. The result? You feel like you’re nursing a perpetual head cold.

You can deal with the problem by using saline drops (basically salt water) to keep your nasal passages moist and using lip balm to keep your lips from becoming chapped if you’re breathing through your mouth a lot. And remind yourself that the “cure” is (at most) nine months away.

And as for the nosebleeds, they are caused by increased congestion in your nasal passages. You can reduce the frequency of nosebleeds by resisting the temptation to blow your nose vigorously in a (futile) effort to clear the increased congestion, as this can trigger nosebleeds.

Bleeding gums

Gum problems amongst moms-to-be are so common that they actually warrant their own name—pregnancy gingivitis. Unlike regularly gingivitis, which tends to be caused by less-than-pristine brushing habits, pregnancy gingivitis is caused by the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Symptoms include swelling, bleeding, redness and/or tenderness.

The problem tends to become noticeable around the second or third month of pregnancy and to increase in intensity until around month eight. You can minimize symptoms by switching to a softer toothbrush, which will reduce the amount of wear and tear on your gums, and by using a less vigorous brushing technique.

Hemorrhoids

While someone’s bound to crack a hemorrhoid joke at some point during your pregnancy, if you do end up developing hemorrhoids, you’ll quickly discover that they’re no laughing matter.

Hemorrhoids—swollen veins that develop in the rectal area—are common during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester. They can be triggered by pregnancy weight gain and the added pressure that the growing uterus places on the veins in the lower body during pregnancy; sitting or standing for long periods of time; and straining during bowel movements.

You can manage the pain, itching, and bleeding that can accompany hemorrhoids by

taking sitz baths (soaking your rectal area in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes at a time a couple of times per day);

keeping the area around the anus as clean as possible (cleanse with unscented white toilet paper, wet toilet paper, medicated pads, or moist toilettes);