COMMON PREGNANCY CHALLENGES THAT EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT
Congratulations! You have finally seen those two pink lines
on the pregnancy test kit. The good news is, you are going to be a mother, and
a good one at that. Did you know, however, that some women find pregnancy to be
a challenge for various reasons? Let’s have a look at some of the challenges
that pregnant women face.
Socio-economic
challenges: - These would apply to pregnancy women in rural areas and
congested urban areas. The truth of the matter is that not every pregnant woman
has everything they need to have a healthy baby.
1. Lack of funds for adequate medical care for
the mother and baby.
This discourages many pregnant women from seeking medical advice, as many
of them are wary of the costs that they may incur.
2. Poor access to good medical facilities
especially in case of emergencies.
Emergencies in pregnancy need to be attended to quickly. If these
facilities are not accessible in good time, the result may be infant or
maternal deaths.
3. Poor nutrition for the pregnant mother.
This is a problem prevalent in poverty-stricken areas. Good nutrition is
necessary for a healthy mother and baby.
4. Lack of support systems for the mother.
Pregnancy can be quite a lonely journey and one needs all the help and
support they can get from family and friends.
5. Lack of knowledge.
Many pregnant mothers do not know that there is lots of information out
there to help them cope with the various stages of the pregnancy.
6. Traditional beliefs.
Some cultures do not believe that a pregnant woman needs to be monitored
all through the pregnancy. This is another leading cause of infant mortality.
Health-related
challenges: - These apply to most pregnant women regardless of age, race and economic status. Every pregnant woman faces some sort of physical
discomfort during their pregnancy. Most of these discomforts are manageable,
though.
1. Mood swings and anxiety.
These are caused by the hormonal changes in the body, as well as the fear
of becoming a new mother. Some pregnant women may even go into depression.
2. Abdominal pains.
These occur in early pregnancy due to the expansion of the uterus. It
worth noting that if they occur further into the pregnancy the mother must seek
medical advice.
3. Nausea and vomiting.
These are also caused by hormonal
changes in the body. In severe cases
where the mother is not able to retain any food, medical intervention is
necessary.
4. Bloating and constipation.
The body changes cause the bowel to produce more gas than usual. The
mother may also find she cannot tolerate some foods any more as they cause
constipation. In severe cases, medical intervention is required.
5. Fatigue and dizziness.
Hormonal changes and frequent changes in blood levels (depending on how
far along one is) can lead to fatigue and dizziness.
6. Discharge from the birth canal.
This is something that is rarely talked about. The discharge is normal as
it protects the birth canal from infection. If it turns bloody, however, one
must see a doctor.
The
challenges listed above are by far the most widely experienced by pregnant
women. If you are already experiencing any of these challenges, take heart.
There is help out there for you. Read about pregnancy on the Internet. Join
pregnancy support groups on social media. Get a good gynaecologist to walk with
you through your pregnancy journey. Most of all, stay positive and prayerful. All
the best!
