"Congratulations, you're pregnant!" was the news given to me by the clinic.
I was a little startled, but I was also glad.
The biggest problem was that I knew very little about pregnancy and childbirth.
I was glad to have several months to figure out what to do and how to do it.
I was vaguely aware that there were some unpleasant side effects to pregnancy, but that was it.
I soon learned what they were.
It would have helped if I'd known more about them before experiencing them, as I might have been able to avoid them.
Backache: Having a load up front is a good way to put anyone's back out.
During pregnancy, it can be even worse because the rest of you tends to remain about the same size.
When Baby is awake and playing, it can be even more painful.
Unfortunately, it's not wise to take pain relievers while you are expecting.
All of them have problems for infants and they all cross the placental barrier.
However, there are things you can do.
A hot water bottle or heating pad can soothe the pain, and a massage could be even better.
Braxton-Hicks Contractions: These aren't exactly painful, but it is something to be aware of.
This is your uterus preparing for labor.
I found that laying down for a while made me feel better when this was going on.
Insomnia: There are many reasons why this can be a problem.
One of them is that it is impossible to find a comfortable position in which to fall asleep.
A second problem is that night time is usually when your baby is awake.
During the day, your moving around rocks the little one to sleep, so when you lay down, it's obviously play time.
Getting kicked is not conducive for a good night's sleep.
If you're cuddling your spouse, both of you may be kicked awake.
There isn't much you can do about the kicking problem, that will only be solved when the baby is born.
However, carefully placed pillows may help find a comfortable position.
That and a glass of warm milk or hot chocolate are the best bets for beating insomnia.
Morning Sickness: You may be one of the fortunate few who doesn't suffer from this problem, but I wasn't.
In fact, I lost weight the first trimester because I couldn't keep enough food down.
In most women, it will be an annoying problem, but if you have it badly, talk to your doctor.
Adequate nutrition is imperative for you and the growing baby.
For minor morning sickness, keep some saltines by your bed, and eat a few before you get up.
You can also make peppermint or basil tea to help.
Do ask your doctor before using herbal teas, as a few can be dangerous.
Swollen Ankles: Some swelling in this region is to be expected.
The added weight and fluids can cause puffy ankles.
However, you should mention them to your OB.
It could be a sign of pre-eclampsia or toxemia in pregnancy.
The best method for dealing with this problem is to prop your feet up when you can.
That should help resolve the problem.
If any of these symptoms bother you, don't hesitate to call your doctor.
It's better to make sure everything is fine than to ignore issues and hope they go away.