Feeling sick

This is one of the more common symptoms of pregnancy and will probably improve on its own within 16-20 weeks. It is not a sign that your pregnancy will become complicated. It may strike at any time of day. It may be mild queasiness, or you can’t eat because you feel so sick.

Either way, it’s miserable.... and to make things worse, no-one really knows why it happens. It’s probably due to a rise in hormone levels and once this settles down, the sickness usually disappears.

Find out more about how to cope with morning sickness here.

Feeling tired

Pregnancy is exhausting. You may feel a fraud when you’ve got nothing to show for it, but your body is working hard, putting energy into nourishing your growing baby.

What to do: Eat regularly to keep up your energy levels, get plenty of sleep, and rest whenever you can.

Tender breasts

This is one of the first signs of pregnancy and a misery for some women. 

What to do: If your breasts feel heavy and tender, wear a well-supporting bra.

Feeling faint

You could feel light-headed, or actually faint especially when you stand up suddenly. This is due to the direct effect of hormones of pregnancy. Your body is using up extra energy, too, and this can also cause faintness.

What to do: Don’t go for too long without eating. Try a cheese sandwich, a piece of fruit, or a glass of milk, but steer clear of sugary foods which could make the problem worse.

Bleeding

Some light bleeding is not unusual in the early weeks of pregnancy... but it is very frightening. You may see a slight staining of pink or brown colour, and feel some cramps. This is sometimes caused by the embryo implanting in the uterus. You might also see some spotting around the time you expect your period. If the bleeding is painless, that’s a good sign. If the bleeding is accompanied by the cramps, that’s not so good.

What to do: Call your doctor or midwife straight away, even if the bleeding stops. Usually light spotting or dark brown bleeding is not considered a major problem.

You may need a check to rule out any complications and to make sure you and your baby are fine. But if there’s bright red bleeding, especially if it’s accompanied by pain, you will need immediate attention. It may be the sign of a miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy.

Heartburn

Many women get heartburn. It’s a burning feeling in your stomach, sometimes rising up into your throat, and it has nothing to do with your heart!

What to do: Eating little and often can help. If heartburn keeps you awake at night, eat early rather than late in the evening. Ask your midwife or at the chemist for a remedy that’s safe to take in pregnancy.

Constipation

It might not be the worst pregnancy side-effect but it can make you pretty uncomfortable. Fight it with:

1. Water – drink plenty of fluids – about 1.2 litres of water, unsweetened fruit juice or fruit teas each day. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as these push water out of your body.
2. Fibre – eat high-fibre foods like wholemeal bread, beans, wholegrain cereals and plenty of fruit and vegetables.
3. Switch to a bran-based breakfast cereal.
4. Exercise – try a brisk walk instead of driving to the shops.
5. If you need a laxative, ask a pharmacist to recommend one for use during pregnancy.