Pregnancy complaints guide

Read through our pregnancy complaints guide for information on all those common health glitches that most expecting mothers experience. From good old morning sickness through to unsightly varicose veins; it is actually all par for the pregnancy course!

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  Pregnancy backache

  Backache during pregnancy is usually felt as general discomfort across the lower back, often with pain across the buttocks and down the legs.
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  Pregnancy carpal tunnel syndrome

  Carpal tunnel syndrome feels like pins and needles, mainly in your thumb and first finger, with numbness and sometimes weakness.
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  Pregnancy constipation

  Constipation during pregnancy is when you have dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass. This may happen from conception onwards.
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  Pregnancy cramps

  Cramps during pregnancy are a sudden pain in your thigh, calf, and/or foot, followed by a general ache.
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  Pregnancy diarrhoea

  Diarrhoea can happen at any time during your pregnancy. You'll have soft, watery stools and need to go to the toilet frequently.
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  Pregnancy faintness

  Faintness during pregnancy is a feeling of dizziness or vertigo that comes on suddenly, making you unsteady on your feet.
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  Pregnancy heartburn

  Heartburn during pregnancy is a burning sensation just behind your breastbone and you may also bring up some stomach acid into your mouth.
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  Pregnancy high blood pressure

  High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy is an increase in blood pressure, which can be mild or severe.
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  Pregnancy insomnia

  Insomnia during pregnancy is the inability to sleep at night, making you tired and irritable during the day.
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  Pregnancy mood swings

  Mood swings during pregnancy are rapid, uncharacteristic changes in mood, often with unexplained crying and anxiety attacks.
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  Pregnancy morning sickness

  Morning sickness is a feeling of sickness and nausea, sometimes with vomiting. Contrary to its name, it can happen at any time of the day.
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  Pregnancy piles

  Piles during pregnancy are dilated rectal veins that may protrude through the anus. They don't usually develop until the second trimester.
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  Pregnancy rib pain

  Rib pain during pregnancy can be felt as extreme soreness and tenderness of the ribs, usually on the right side, just below the breasts.
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  Pregnancy tender breasts

  Tender, painful breasts that feel heavy and uncomfortable are often one of the first signs of pregnancy.
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  Pregnancy thrush

  Thrush is more common in pregnancy, probably because increased vaginal blood flow can cause a leakage of sugar into body fluids.
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  Pregnancy varicose veins

  Varicose veins during pregnancy are swollen veins just below the skin and most common in the legs or anus.
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  Pregnancy water retention

  Water retention during pregnancy happens when there's more fluid than usual in your body tissues, causing swelling (oedema).
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