Be Our Partner! Book a Free Consultation Now! Become a Member > Get Involved >
Health Conditions > Health Articles > Find a Practitioner > Events >

Home  /  Health Conditions  /  Pregnancy (Staying Healthy & Common Discomforts)

Pregnancy (Staying Healthy & Common Discomforts)

Most of pregnancy is about steady prenatal care, good food, safe movement, enough rest and knowing which symptoms are normal and which need a same-day call or an emergency room. This guide covers common discomforts such as back pain, nausea, heartburn, swelling, sleep and mood, and looks honestly at what chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage and coaching can and cannot do. It is not a guide to treating pregnancy complications.

Urgent warning signs in pregnancy and in the year after birth. CDC says to seek medical care immediately for any of these: a headache that won’t go away or gets worse; dizziness or fainting; changes in your vision; a fever of 100.4°F or higher; extreme swelling of the hands or face; thoughts about harming yourself or your baby; trouble breathing; chest pain or a fast-beating heart; severe nausea and vomiting; severe belly pain that doesn’t go away; your baby’s movement stopping or slowing; vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy; bleeding or discharge after pregnancy; severe swelling, redness or pain in a leg or arm; and overwhelming tiredness (CDC). If you aren’t sure it’s serious, talk to your provider (CDC).

MBHA suggests: call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for heavy bleeding, bleeding with severe belly pain or fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, a seizure, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, and call your OB or midwife the same day, even at night, for the rest. The UK’s NHS likewise treats bleeding with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, faintness or heavy bleeding as an emergency (NHS).

  • Baby moving less than usual, or not at all: call right away, even in the middle of the night, and don’t wait until the next day. You don’t need to count kicks, and the NHS says not to rely on a home heartbeat monitor (NHS).
  • Possible pre-eclampsia: a severe headache that doesn’t go away with simple painkillers, blurred vision or flashing lights, pain just below the ribs, sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, or feeling very unwell need to be checked immediately. It can also appear in the days or weeks after birth (NHS).
  • Fluid leaking, fever, or contractions before 37 weeks: call your provider (NHS, NHS).
  • Calf pain, swelling or redness on one side, or sudden swelling: this can be a blood clot and needs to be checked immediately (NHS, CDC). See our blood clots guide.
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby: call or text 988, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7: 1-833-9-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) (NIMH). Confusion, hallucinations or dangerous behavior after birth (postpartum psychosis) is an emergency — call 911 (NIMH).

Do not wait for a chiropractic, acupuncture or massage appointment, and do not try an herb or supplement first, if you have any of these signs.

What this guide is — and isn’t

This guide is for people who are pregnant, or planning to be, and want safe, honest information about staying well and handling common discomforts such as back pain, nausea, heartburn, swelling, poor sleep and low mood. It is educational, not medical advice, and it is not a guide to treating pregnancy complications; those belong with your obstetrician or midwife. Every pregnancy carries some risk, and a chronic condition does not mean you will have problems, but it does mean you should talk to your provider early (MedlinePlus). The NHS is blunt that complementary therapies cannot replace regular antenatal care (NHS). We do not list doses, and we do not recommend any particular herb or supplement.

Prenatal care: the foundation

Prenatal care is the health care you get while pregnant, including checkups and prenatal testing, usually from an obstetrician or a midwife. It lets your provider spot problems early, and early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others (MedlinePlus). NICHD says early and regular prenatal care improves the chances of a healthy pregnancy, and that care can begin even before pregnancy with a pre-pregnancy visit (NICHD). CDC advises starting prenatal care early and telling your provider about current or past health conditions and problems in earlier pregnancies (CDC).

  • The first visit usually covers your health and family history, a physical exam, routine lab tests, blood pressure, height and weight, a talk about healthy weight gain, eating and prenatal vitamins, and your due date (MedlinePlus).
  • Later visits typically check blood pressure and weight gain, measure the belly, listen to the baby’s heart rate, check your hands and feet for swelling and run routine tests. A typical schedule is monthly, then twice a month, then weekly near the end; people over 35, or with conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are usually seen more often (MedlinePlus).
  • Common complications that prenatal care watches for include high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, infections, pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, pregnancy loss and stillbirth (NICHD). See our blood pressure and diabetes guides.

Common discomforts at a glance

When to see a doctor: as soon as you think you may be pregnant, schedule a prenatal visit (NICHD). Ask before starting or stopping any medicine, vitamin, herb or supplement (MedlinePlus). If a symptom worries you and isn’t on the urgent list, call your provider anyway; MedlinePlus notes it can be hard to know what is normal (MedlinePlus). Related guides: medication safety, anemia, thyroid and female problems. Our guides on Babies and Weight Control are planned.

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Regular prenatal care with an obstetrician or midwife: checkups, screening and lab tests, vaccines, advice on food, medicines and activity, safe treatment for discomforts, and specialist care if complications or a high-risk pregnancy develop. The Pricer lists routine self-pay OB/GYN office visits at about $125 to $300 (not a full prenatal package). Home-birth midwife packages ran $4,500 to $9,000 in its examples. Hospital birth costs: cost estimate being researched. Visits are about monthly early on and more often near the end. Most discomforts are managed with self-care and sometimes safe medicines; warning signs get same-day checks.
Chiropractic Gentle adjustments, exercises and posture advice for pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain. Some chiropractors also use the Webster technique for breech babies. About $55 to $100 per follow-up visit paying cash, per The Pricer. Evidence for pregnancy back and pelvic pain is limited. We found only a small survey and a case report on the Webster technique. Serious problems are rare but not well studied. Tell the chiropractor you are pregnant.
Acupuncture Fine needles, sometimes with acupressure or moxibustion, for nausea, pelvic pain, mood, or a breech baby. About $90 to $185 per follow-up visit paying cash, per The Pricer. Mixed evidence. A Cochrane review found no significant benefit for nausea, a newer review found some. Single studies suggest help for pelvic pain. Few side effects were reported.
Herbal medicine No herb or supplement is recommended here. The safe starting point is a prenatal vitamin chosen with your provider and a check on every product you use. Cost estimate being researched. Many supplements have not been tested in pregnancy, and a systematic review urged caution with herbal products until safety is shown. “Natural” does not mean safe.
Massage therapy Gentle prenatal massage for muscle tension, back and pelvic aches, stress and sleep, with a therapist trained in pregnancy. One national chain: about $70 to $90 a month on a 12-month membership, per The Pricer. Reviews find limited evidence for back and pelvic pain. Massage may ease labor pain and low mood in small trials. Avoid leg massage if a leg is swollen, painful, warm or red.
MBHA Wellness Coach Everyday habits that support pregnancy: keeping prenatal appointments, eating well, moving safely, sleep, stress and mood check-ins, and preparing questions for your provider. Cost estimate being researched. Supports — never replaces — prenatal care. Structured lifestyle programs lowered weight gain and gestational diabetes risk in trials.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Conventional care in pregnancy is mostly prevention and monitoring: regular visits, screening, vaccines, and quick action on warning signs. Details on warning signs, nutrition, medicines and vaccines, activity, discomforts, mood and labor are in the sections below.

  • Who provides it. An obstetrician or a midwife (MedlinePlus). A high-risk pregnancy, one that threatens the health of the mother or the baby, often needs specialized providers (NICHD).
  • Tests. Prenatal visits usually include a physical exam, weight checks and a urine sample; depending on the stage, blood tests and ultrasounds (NICHD). Your provider checks your blood pressure and urine at each visit; a reading of 140/90 or higher, especially after 20 weeks, usually leads to more tests (MedlinePlus).
  • High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. The NHS says there is currently no cure for pre-eclampsia, but treatments can help, symptoms usually improve after the baby is born, and it is often safer for the baby to be born early (NHS). If your provider thinks you are at higher risk, they may recommend daily aspirin or calcium; the NHS says not to start either unless a midwife or doctor advises it (NHS, MedlinePlus).
  • Treatment for discomforts. Safe medicines exist for some, such as heartburn and severe nausea; see Common discomforts and Medicines, supplements and vaccines.

What it costs

The Pricer lists many routine self-pay OB/GYN office visits at about $125 to $300, with Pap, HPV, ultrasound and other tests billed separately; that page is about office visits, not a full set of prenatal care (The Pricer). For home birth, its examples of complete midwife packages ran from $4,500 to $9,000 (The Pricer). Insurance and hospital birth costs: cost estimate being researched.

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care does not treat pregnancy itself. Pregnant people mainly seek it for low back and pelvic pain. It has no role in the emergencies above, and a chiropractor cannot replace prenatal care.

Back and pelvic pain: what the evidence shows

  • A Cochrane review of 34 trials (5,121 women) found the best support for exercise. Single studies suggested that osteomanipulative therapy reduced low back pain and disability, and that acupuncture or craniosacral therapy improved pelvic pain; adverse effects, when reported, were minor and temporary. The authors rated the evidence as moderate to low quality (Liddle & Pennick, 2015).
  • A systematic review focused on chiropractic care rated the evidence for chiropractic care for pregnancy low back pain as inconclusive but favorable, and for spinal manipulation as inconclusive and unclear. The authors noted a lack of conclusive evidence (Weis et al., 2020).
  • A meta-analysis of manual therapies (mostly massage and osteopathic manipulation, 10 studies and 1,198 women) found less pain than with usual care or relaxation, but not compared with sham treatment, and concluded the evidence is limited (Hall et al., 2016).

The Webster technique and breech babies

The Webster technique is a sacral adjustment and abdominal technique that some chiropractors use when a baby is breech. We found little research. A survey mailed to 1,047 chiropractic pediatric association members produced 112 usable responses, and those chiropractors reported that 92% of the breech presentations resolved; the authors acknowledged the small sample and the survey had no comparison group (Pistolese, 2002). A case report describes a woman whose baby stayed breech through seven treatments and who was later found to have low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios); the authors advised screening for other conditions (Roecker, 2013). We did not find a controlled trial in PubMed. For comparison, a Cochrane review found that external cephalic version (a doctor turning the baby by hand) at term reduced non-head-down births and cesarean sections, though the trials were small and of low quality (Hofmeyr et al., 2015). The NHS says external cephalic version is usually offered at 36 weeks (NHS). If your baby is breech, discuss any other attempt with your obstetrician or midwife first.

Safety

NCCIH says reports of serious adverse events from spinal manipulation during pregnancy are very rare, but there has not been much rigorous research, and it advises discussing risks and benefits with your health care provider (NCCIH). A 2021 systematic review found one case of a serious neck injury after manipulation and a handful of minor, temporary low back effects, and suggested such injuries may be rare (Weis et al., 2021). MBHA suggests telling your chiropractor you are pregnant, asking about pregnancy training, and letting your OB or midwife know. Bleeding, fluid leaking, fever, pain on peeing, or back pain with possible early labor needs your provider, not an adjustment (NHS).

What it costs

The Pricer lists about $55 to $100 for a self-pay follow-up visit and $90 to $200 for a first appointment (The Pricer).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been studied in pregnancy for nausea, pelvic and back pain, mood and breech babies. The results are mixed, and the quality of the studies is often low.

  • Nausea and vomiting. A Cochrane review of 37 trials (5,049 women) found acupuncture showed no significant benefit and evidence for P6 acupressure was limited. It concluded that there is a lack of high-quality evidence for any single intervention, which is not the same as saying they do not work (Matthews et al., 2014). A newer meta-analysis of 24 trials (2,390 women) found acupuncture added to standard medicine did better than medicine alone, with evidence certainty from moderate to very low (Jin et al., 2024). The NHS says there is some evidence that acupressure on the wrist may relieve nausea (NHS).
  • Back and pelvic pain. Single studies in the Cochrane review suggested acupuncture improved pelvic pain more than usual prenatal care (Liddle & Pennick, 2015).
  • Mood. A review of 20 trials found acupuncture reduced antenatal depression in one trial; overall the risk of bias was high or unclear (Smith et al., 2019).
  • Breech babies. A Cochrane review of 13 trials (2,181 women) found moxibustion (burning an herb near a point on the little toe) plus usual care probably reduces the chance of a non-head-down baby at birth, but probably makes little or no difference to cesarean section; side effect data were very uncertain (Coyle et al., 2023).

Safety

A systematic review of 105 studies found that adverse events from acupuncture in pregnancy were mild to moderate, with needling pain the most common; severe events were few and judged unlikely to be caused by acupuncture, though only about a quarter of studies reported details (Park et al., 2014). NCCIH says complications are relatively few and mostly come from nonsterile needles or poor technique (NCCIH). MBHA suggests choosing a licensed practitioner with pregnancy experience and telling them how far along you are.

What it costs

The Pricer lists about $90 to $185 per follow-up visit and up to about $230 for a first private appointment; community acupuncture runs about $50 to $90 (The Pricer).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

MBHA does not recommend any herb or supplement for pregnancy. The reason is simple: safety has not been shown for many products, and some can cause harm.

  • The NHS says not all “natural” remedies are safe in pregnancy, some products are poor quality or contain harmful substances such as lead, and advises against herbal remedies when trying to get pregnant. It advises telling your midwife, doctor or pharmacist about any herbal remedy and seeing a qualified practitioner if you do use one (NHS).
  • NCCIH says many dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, and that natural does not always mean safe (NCCIH). NICHD says some dietary and herbal supplements can harm the fetus (NICHD), and the FDA says not to trust a product just because it says “natural” (FDA).
  • A systematic review of herbal products in pregnancy and after birth covered 47 products and about 1 million women. It found associations between some products and problems (heavy licorice use with early preterm birth, oral raspberry leaf with cesarean delivery, almond oil with preterm birth), also reported studies with no adverse events, and noted that no study had examined harm from herb-drug interactions. These were mostly cohort studies, and the authors concluded herbal use should be discouraged until robust evidence of safety exists (Muñoz Balbontín et al., 2019).
  • The NHS says to avoid herbal teas containing licorice root, and to limit other herbal teas because there is little research on them (NHS).
  • The FDA warns that cannabis products sold for pain, anxiety or morning sickness are not FDA-approved and carry risks in pregnancy (FDA).

Ginger is often asked about for nausea. The Cochrane review found ginger products may be helpful but the evidence was limited and not consistent (Matthews et al., 2014); the NHS mentions ginger foods and drinks and says to check with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements (NHS). MBHA does not recommend any particular herb; talk to your prescriber.

Never stop a prescribed medicine to take a supplement. The NHS says stopping a prescribed medicine could harm both you and the baby (NHS). Do not start aspirin or calcium on your own either (NHS). We don’t list doses.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Gentle massage is a popular way to cope with pregnancy aches. The NHS lists a massage among things to try for back pain (NHS). The research is modest.

  • Back and pelvic pain. A meta-analysis of manual therapies, mostly massage and osteopathic manipulation, found less pain than usual care or relaxation but not compared with sham treatment, and judged the evidence limited (Hall et al., 2016).
  • Mood. In a review of complementary therapies for antenatal anxiety and depression, massage reduced the severity of depression in one trial of 149 women; the studies overall were at high or unclear risk of bias (Smith et al., 2019).
  • Labor. A Cochrane review found low-quality evidence that massage reduced pain intensity in the first stage of labor compared with usual care (Smith et al., 2018).

Safety first

Don’t have leg massage if a leg is swollen, painful, warm or red — get it checked the same day. Pregnant people are at higher risk of blood clots. A case report describes a woman at 25 weeks who had a massive pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrest and loss of the pregnancy shortly after leg and foot massage, with an unrecognized clot; the authors say leg massage can dislodge a clot and that traditional massage should be avoided in pregnancy unless there is no such risk (case report, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2020). CDC lists severe swelling, redness or pain in a leg as a warning sign (CDC).

  • NCCIH says the risk of harm from massage appears low, but rare serious problems such as a blood clot, nerve injury or fracture have been reported, some with vigorous deep-tissue work (NCCIH).
  • The NHS advises telling any complementary practitioner that you are pregnant before treatment (NHS). MBHA suggests choosing a therapist trained in prenatal massage, asking for light to moderate pressure, and asking your OB or midwife first, especially if you have high blood pressure or a history of clots.

What it costs

One national chain’s membership runs about $70 to $90 a month on a 12-month term (The Pricer).

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you turn the advice from your prenatal team into daily routines — alongside, never instead of, prenatal care. A coach is not a clinician and does not diagnose or treat.

  • Keep appointments and track questions. Prenatal visits are where problems are caught early (MedlinePlus). A coach can help you keep a list of questions and a log of symptoms to share.
  • Food and fluids. The NHS says you don’t need to “eat for two” (NHS). A coach can help with small, frequent meals when nausea or heartburn strikes (NHS, NHS).
  • Movement. Regular activity is encouraged for most pregnancies (NHS); a coach can help you build a gentle routine your provider has approved.
  • Sleep. Side-sleeping, pillows and a wind-down routine (NHS).
  • Stress and mood. The NHS suggests talking about your feelings, making time for things you enjoy and being honest with your care team (NHS). A coach can notice when low mood is lasting and help you reach out; see Mood, anxiety and postpartum mental health.

What the research says

A meta-analysis of 117 trials (34,546 women) found that structured diet and physical-activity programs were associated with less weight gain in pregnancy and a lower risk of gestational diabetes; mixed programs such as unstructured lifestyle support or behavioral support alone were associated with reduced weight gain only (Teede et al., 2022). A Cochrane review found that psychosocial and psychological interventions, including peer telephone support, lowered the risk of postpartum depression (Dennis & Dowswell, 2013). These findings come from structured programs, not from coaching specifically.

What it costs

Cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Warning signs: what they mean and who to call

Most aches in pregnancy are harmless, but a few symptoms can signal something serious. Your care team can sort them out; you don’t have to.

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a sudden rise in blood pressure after the 20th week, usually in the last trimester. It often includes protein in the urine and signs of organ damage, and can be serious or life-threatening for you and the baby. If it affects the brain and causes seizures it is called eclampsia, and a rare, serious liver and blood cell problem is called HELLP syndrome. Warning signs include a headache that won’t go away, vision problems, pain in the upper right belly, swelling of the face and hands, and trouble breathing; swollen feet alone may not be a sign (MedlinePlus). The NHS adds pain below the ribs, vomiting and heartburn that does not go away with heartburn medicine, and lists higher risk in people with diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, a first pregnancy, age 40 or over, multiple babies, or an earlier pre-eclampsia (NHS). Regular blood pressure and urine checks at prenatal visits are how it is usually found.

Bleeding

Bleeding in pregnancy is not always serious but needs advice from a health professional (NHS). It can have many causes, including implantation, cervical changes, infection, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and problems with the placenta; the cause is sometimes not found (NHS).

Baby’s movements, leaking fluid and early labor

You should start to feel your baby move around 16 to 24 weeks, and keep feeling movement until labor; less movement can be a sign of a problem, and finding out quickly could save the baby’s life (NHS). Call if your waters break, if you bleed, or if you may be in labor before 37 weeks (NHS). The NHS also lists itching (which can sometimes signal a liver condition), fever, and severe vomiting among symptoms to report (NHS).

Back pain that is more than back pain

In the second or third trimester, back pain could be a sign of early labor. Contact your provider urgently if it comes with fever, vaginal bleeding, pain when you pee, or pain under the ribs on one or both sides, and treat loss of feeling in a leg, the buttock or the genitals as an emergency (NHS).

Another approach

Eating well, folic acid and supplements

Good nutrition matters more than ever in pregnancy. MedlinePlus lists a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats or other protein sources and low-fat dairy (MedlinePlus). The NHS says no special diet is needed, there is no need to “eat for two,” and you should aim for balance over a week (NHS). MedlinePlus says you probably need no extra calories in the first trimester, and to choose nutrient-rich foods over “empty calories”; how much weight to gain depends on your health and starting weight, so ask your provider (MedlinePlus).

Folic acid and prenatal vitamins

CDC says all women who could become pregnant should get folic acid, because neural tube defects (serious birth defects of the brain and spine) occur in the first weeks of pregnancy, often before you know you are pregnant (CDC). The NHS says it is hard to get enough from food alone and that some people, such as those with diabetes or taking certain epilepsy medicines, are advised a higher amount from a prescriber (NHS). We don’t list amounts; ask your provider. The FDA notes some prenatal vitamins may contain too much or too little of what you need (FDA), and MedlinePlus says to take only vitamins and minerals your provider recommends and not regular vitamins (MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus). The NHS says not to take cod liver oil or supplements with vitamin A, and to avoid liver, because too much vitamin A can harm development (NHS). MedlinePlus likewise warns that very high vitamin A can cause birth defects (MedlinePlus). See our anemia guide.

Foods and drinks to limit or avoid

  • Alcohol: MedlinePlus says no known amount of alcohol is safe in pregnancy (MedlinePlus). The NHS says not drinking is safest, and that someone who drank before knowing they were pregnant should stop and not worry unnecessarily (NHS).
  • Fish and germs: MedlinePlus advises avoiding high-mercury fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish; undercooked meat, poultry, eggs and seafood; unpasteurized milk, juice and soft cheeses; raw sprouts; and unwashed produce (MedlinePlus).
  • Caffeine: both MedlinePlus and the NHS give a daily limit and tie too much caffeine to harm; ask your provider (MedlinePlus, NHS).
  • The NHS food rules are written for the UK (for example, egg labeling), so follow MedlinePlus and your provider for U.S. products (NHS).

Another approach

Medicines, supplements and vaccines

The FDA says 80% of pregnant women say they take at least one medicine, and many medicines are safe in pregnancy; for others there is less information (FDA). The rule across sources is the same: ask before you take anything — prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, herb or supplement (FDA, MedlinePlus). The NHS says most medicines cross the placenta (NHS).

  • Don’t stop prescribed medicine on your own. Not using a medicine you need may be more harmful than using it; you and your provider weigh benefits and risks together (MedlinePlus). Tell your doctor right away if you take regular medicine, ideally before you try to conceive (NHS).
  • Pain relievers: the NHS says paracetamol (acetaminophen in the U.S.) is the first-choice painkiller in pregnancy, to be used for the shortest time, and that codeine and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen should be avoided unless prescribed (NHS). Ask your own prescriber what applies to you.
  • Heartburn: the NHS lists antacids and alginates as safe options, and says to tell the pharmacist you are pregnant (NHS).
  • Nausea: if lifestyle changes fail, a short course of an anti-sickness medicine safe in pregnancy may be recommended (NHS).
  • Pregnancy exposure registries are studies you can volunteer for that track how medicines or vaccines affect pregnancy (FDA).

Vaccines

CDC’s guidance says the inactivated flu shot can be given at any time in pregnancy, Tdap (whooping cough) is given in each pregnancy with the best timing between 27 and 36 weeks, and one RSV vaccine product is given at weeks 32 through 36 in the fall and winter months. Live vaccines such as MMR, varicella and the nasal-spray flu vaccine are not given during pregnancy (CDC). The NHS says flu and whooping cough vaccines protect both parent and baby, and live vaccines are usually put off until after the birth (NHS). See our flu guide. Ask your provider which vaccines apply to you.

Another approach

Staying active

CDC says moderate-intensity activity is safe for generally healthy people in pregnancy, with examples such as brisk walking, some forms of yoga, water aerobics and bike riding, and to consult your doctor about whether to adjust it (CDC). The NHS says exercise is safe for you and the baby, to start new activity gently, and that keeping active may reduce gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia risk and improve sleep and mood (NHS).

Another approach

Common discomforts: what the sources suggest

Back and pelvic pain

The NHS suggests bending your knees to lift, avoiding heavy loads, wearing flat shoes, sitting with good support, resting, a massage or warm bath, a firm mattress and back-care classes; very painful backache may merit a referral to an obstetric physiotherapist (NHS). For pelvic girdle pain it suggests physiotherapy, a support belt or crutches if recommended, a pillow between the legs in bed, and avoiding long standing or sitting; most people with it can give birth vaginally (NHS).

Nausea and vomiting

The NHS suggests rest, avoiding triggering foods and smells, dry toast or a plain biscuit in the morning, small frequent plain meals, cold foods, and sipping fluids; acupressure on the wrist has some evidence (NHS). Call your provider if you can’t keep food or fluids down for 24 hours, have very dark urine or haven’t peed in more than 8 hours, feel faint, have belly pain or a fever, or vomit blood. Hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form affecting an estimated 1 to 3 in 100, often needs hospital care (NHS, NHS).

Heartburn

The NHS suggests small meals, not eating within 3 hours of bed, sitting upright after eating, cutting down on caffeine, rich, spicy and fatty foods, and propping up your head and shoulders at night; see a provider for trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice or weight loss (NHS). See our heartburn guide.

Swelling

Mild swelling comes from the body holding more water, and from the womb pressing on leg blood flow. The NHS suggests avoiding long standing, wearing comfortable shoes, resting with your feet up and walking or doing foot exercises (NHS). A sudden increase in swelling of the face, hands or feet is urgent.

Tiredness and sleep

Tiredness is common, especially in the first 12 weeks. The NHS suggests rest, side-sleeping with pillows and avoiding caffeine in the evening. It says research suggests falling asleep on your back after 28 weeks can double the risk of stillbirth, but that there is no need to worry if you wake up on your back; just turn over (NHS). Sleeplessness with hopelessness or lost interest may be depression (NHS). See our sleep problems and restless legs guides.

Headaches

Fluids, sleep and rest are suggested; a severe headache with vision changes, vomiting or swelling needs urgent checking (NHS).

Another approach

Mood, anxiety and postpartum mental health

Pregnancy can be stressful. Some people get depression or anxiety for the first time, and earlier symptoms can return (NHS). NIMH describes perinatal depression as a mood disorder during pregnancy and after childbirth, with most episodes starting within 4 to 8 weeks of birth. “Baby blues” are mild and fade within about 2 weeks; mood changes that are severe or last longer may be postpartum depression, which generally won’t improve without treatment (NIMH). MedlinePlus adds that it can begin anytime in the first year (MedlinePlus).

  • Symptoms include a sad, anxious or empty mood most of the day for 2 weeks, hopelessness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps, trouble bonding with the baby, and thoughts of harming yourself or the baby. NIMH says anyone with these should see a provider, and it is not caused by anything a mother has or hasn’t done (NIMH).
  • Treatment usually means talk therapy, medication or both, and most people feel better with treatment. NIMH names cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapy; it says the risk of birth defects from antidepressants in pregnancy is very low but to discuss risks and benefits with a provider (NIMH). Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor (NHS).
  • What may help: asking for help with the baby and chores, resting when the baby rests, walking, and support from family and friends (MedlinePlus). A Cochrane review found psychosocial interventions lowered the risk of postpartum depression (Dennis & Dowswell, 2013).
  • Crisis help: call or text 988; the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is 1-833-9-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), 24/7 (NIMH). NICHD notes the hotline offers free, confidential counselors before, during and after pregnancy in many languages (NICHD).

See our depression and anxiety guides.

Another approach

Labor, birth and the weeks after

Full-term pregnancy is about 40 weeks, and labor usually starts between 37 and 42 weeks. Signs include regular contractions that come closer together, leaking fluid or bleeding, a dull backache and cramps; call your provider with any sign of labor, even before your due date (MedlinePlus). Labor has three stages: contractions and cervical opening, pushing and birth, and delivery of the placenta (MedlinePlus). The NHS says early (latent) labor can take hours or days and you will probably be advised to wait at home; call if contractions come every 5 minutes or sooner, your waters break, you bleed, the baby moves less, or you may be under 37 weeks (NHS).

Pain relief options

MedlinePlus lists medicines, natural methods such as relaxation, a birthing ball, massage, a bath or shower, or a combination, and advises talking through options and risks with your provider before your due date (MedlinePlus). The NHS describes self-help, gas and air, injections, epidurals, water and TENS, and says TENS hasn’t been shown to work in active labor (NHS). A birth doula typically costs $800 to $2,500 in the United States (The Pricer).

After the birth

  • Bleeding (lochia) goes on for a few weeks. Tell a provider about a fever over 38°C (100.4°F), foul-smelling bleeding, worsening belly pain or heavier bleeding; sudden, very heavy bleeding with faintness is an emergency (NHS).
  • Other warning signs after birth: pain, swelling or redness in one calf (a possible clot), chest pain or trouble breathing, high temperature with a tender tummy, or headache with vision changes and vomiting (possible pre-eclampsia) (NHS).
  • Healing: piles are common and usually clear up, constipation should be avoided, and pelvic floor exercises help leaking; tampons are best avoided until the 6-week check (NHS). See our hemorrhoids and bladder problems guides.
  • Feelings: feeling down, tearful or anxious in the first week is normal; if it starts later or lasts more than 2 weeks it could be postnatal depression (NHS).
  • Pregnancy again: you can get pregnant as soon as 3 weeks after birth, even while breastfeeding (NHS).

Member stories

Living with Pregnancy (Staying Healthy & Common Discomforts)? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

No stories have been published for this condition yet. Yours could be the first.

Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

We read every story before it’s published and may shorten it. Stories describe one person’s experience; results vary. See our Privacy Policy.

Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

Find the right practitioner

Search MBHA’s Health Directory for doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists across the Monterey Bay.

Search the Directory All Health Conditions

The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We strongly recommend that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition. MBHA provides administrative support, education and navigation — not medical, legal or tax advice — and cannot guarantee claim, billing or fundraising outcomes. MBHA is not an emergency service: in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.