COMMON PREGNANCY CHALLENGES THAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

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!