13 Pains of Pregnancy and How to Deal

Tips and tricks for decreasing discomfort during pregnancy.

Every expecting mom anticipates the moment she meets her new baby for the first time. But before she gets to kiss that nose, look into those beautiful eyes or tickle those tiny feet, she has to make it through nine months of pregnancy.

For some women, those nine months are filled with aches and pains they never knew existed. We consulted pregnancy websites and asked pregnancy and childbirth experts for tips and tricks to help expecting moms get through the ups and downs of pregnancy.

Alexandria Montgomery, a certified nurse midwife with a doctor of nursing practice who works for Novant Health Nurse Midwifery Associates – Langtree in Huntersville; Cara Osborne, a certified nurse midwife with a master's degree in nursing, and chief clinical officer and founder of Baby+Co in Cary; and Jennifer Ozan, a doctor of osteopathic medicine and OB-GYN for Eagle Physicians in Greensboro, offered the following advice for some of the most common complaints pregnant women experience.

1. Nausea/morning sickness
Eat small, frequent meals. Try starchy foods such as crackers, toast or cereal in the morning before getting out of bed. Increase protein intake with foods like dried nuts, cheese and yogurt. Avoid greasy, high-fat foods. Drink peppermint, spearmint and chamomile teas, and try ginger-based remedies found at specialty stores like Whole Foods. Wear a seasickness band, which you can find at most pharmacies.

2. Food aversions
Studies show that up to 85 percent of expectant mothers experience some kind of food aversion, most often in the first trimester. Protein is a common trigger, but many pregnant women also suddenly dislike leafy greens, coffee, garlic and cinnamon, for example. As you might expect, hormones take the blame, but experts say there is some truth to a pregnant woman craving what her body needs, and feeling repulsed by what is not good for her. Look for food substitutes that are appealing to you and offer the nutrients you need.

3. Heartburn
Eat smaller, lighter meals more frequently. Avoid fatty, spicy foods and drinks with caffeine. Don't lie flat for one to two hours after eating. Don't drink fluids while eating.

4. Constipation
Eat a high-fiber diet of foods containing whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Remember "B" – bran, beans and berries. Increase daily water intake. Be mindful that straining may lead to hemorrhoids, another common side effect.

5. Hemorrhoids
Use Witch Hazel wipes, Tucks Medicated Pads and Preparation H. Soak in a warm bath. Increase fluids and the amount of fiber in your diet.

6. Round ligament pain
As your body changes to make room for baby, you may experience pain on one or both sides of the lower pelvis/groin. Avoid changing positions too quickly or making sudden movements. Support your abdomen with pillows when lying on your side. Do stretches, prenatal yoga or core building exercises.

7. Back pain
Maintain good posture and avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes. Use a footstool to prop up feet when sitting. Use knees (not your back) when lifting. Stretch. Back pain may also include sciatic nerve pain that can cause pain, numbness or tingling down the back of your legs or hip. Do stretches to help ease pain or sit on a large exercise ball.

8. Varicose veins
Wear support hose or compression tights. Avoid stockings with elastic bands. Don't sit or stand in the same position for more than one hour at a time. Do not cross your legs. Lie down to rest occasionally and elevate your feet. Take walks.

9. Foot and ankle swelling
Keep legs elevated when sitting and don't sit for long periods of time. If you do have to sit for a long period of time, get up and move every hour. Do not cross your legs. Decrease salt intake and increase water intake.

10. Leg cramps
Stay well hydrated. Take walks or swim daily. Stretch calf muscles during the day and before bed. Avoid getting too tired, or standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time. Eat a diet high in magnesium and calcium, and talk to your physician about supplements.

11. Itching
Stay well hydrated. Avoid perfumed soaps and lotions. Try switching soaps or using less soap. Blot skin with a towel instead of rubbing. Take warm baths with baking soda.

12. Bleeding gums
Brush gently with a softer toothbrush and floss daily. Eat foods high in vitamin C, such as fruits and vegetables. Contact your dentist.

13. Headaches
Apply ice packs and rub peppermint oil on your forehead and the back of your neck. Do yoga or get acupuncture.

"Be kind to yourself and know that anything you have is something someone else has had too," Osborne says. "You are not alone – lots of people have been through the same things. And if you think something is going on, don't be shy about bringing up your concerns with your physician."

SEE ALSO: 7 Common Postpartum Pains

Pregnancy the Second (or Third) Time Around

Just like each child is different, no two pregnancies are ever alike.

"It is amazing how women like to compare one pregnancy to another," says Alexandria Montgomery, a certified nurse midwife with a doctor of nursing practice who works for Novant Health Nurse Midwifery Associates ﾖ Langtree in Huntersville. She says that in multiple pregnancies, women may notice pains and discomforts in subsequent pregnancies because they don't have the excitement and fear of the first pregnancy. Depending on the time between pregnancies, moms may be chasing a toddler so they don't have time to rest like they did with their first. She also says back pain tends to be more common with each additional pregnancy.

No matter how bad the nine months are, remember that it is all worth it when you meet your sweet bundle of joy.

Michele Jonczak, a freelance writer from Raleigh, is a mother of two boys, ages 3 and 5, and a girl, who is 18 months old.