Managing Your Discomfort

What you can do to help cure or ease some common complaints during pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a time filled with joy - and, like many women, you may experience some physical complaints during that period. The list below covers some of the most common problems pregnant women experience, along with tips for how to manage them:

Complaints	Problems	What You Can Do
Cramps	Painful muscle contractions in your calves, especially at night	Massage the affected muscles Walk around for a minute or two once the pain has eased to improve circulation Eat more foods that contain calcium, such as milk and dairy products Take calcium supplements (prescribed by your doctor)
Oedema	Swelling of the feet	Lift up legs when at rest
Varicose Veins	Enlarged, protruding, bluish veins, particularly in the legs	Wear elastic stockings Sit when you do not have to stand Lift up legs when at rest
Sweating	Perspiration even after very little exertion, or waking up at night feeling hot and sweaty	Wear loose cotton clothes Drink plenty of water
Rash	Red rash usually in sweaty skin folds, such as under the breasts	Wash the affected areas often and with unperfumed soap; dry thoroughly afterwards Wear loose cotton clothing Soothe the affected area with calamine lotion