A woman's body is made to naturally adapt to its role of giving birth.
During pregnancy, you will notice a number of physical changes that take place all in preparation for easing the process of passing a baby through the birth canal.
Some of these changes are positive (for instance, your hair and nails might be growing at a much faster than normal rate) but the majority of them cause some degree of discomfort.
Here's what to expect and how to alleviate common discomforts of pregnancy.
Backaches The most common complaint of expectant moms is an aching back.
It's no wonder that you are most apt to feel pain in your back; after all, your body is dealing with the extra weight of a growing baby - and the majority of that extra weight is concentrated in your abdomen.
Your muscles must stretch to accommodate this growth.
Your muscles are also taxed by the extra effort it takes to support your growing baby so they can't support your spine as well as normal.
While common sense will go a long way toward alleviating the pain (don't wear high heels, and don't stand for long periods of time), the best thing you can do for your aching back is to make a conscious effort to maintain proper posture.
When you sit and stand straight, your back is less stressed.
Heartburn In the advancing stages of pregnancy, many women experience mild to severe heartburn.
This is usually due to several factors that include a slowing down of your digestive system and your internal organs being compressed in order to accommodate the growing size of your baby.
A good diet is essential to your health and eating lots of veggies and fruit while avoiding large meals with spicy foods might keep heartburn from developing.
Try not to drink while eating so you are not swallowing any extra air.
And once again, good posture helps by allowing more room for your organs.
Hemorrhoids and Constipation Another problem that may occur due to your compressed internal organs and changes to your digestion is constipation.
And unfortunately, constipation often causes hemorrhoids.
These problems generally occur in your third trimester and could stick around well after your baby is born, as well.
The best defense is a good offense.
Make sure you get adequate exercise (as advised by your doctor) and eat a healthy diet with lots of fiber.
A nice soak in a warm bath might feel good.
Keeping your back straight through proper posture is also beneficial since this tends to take pressure off your bowels.
Swelling of Hands and Feet When your wedding ring no longer fits and you have to really squeeze your feet into a pair of shoes, you can bet the culprit is swelling.
Often swelling of your hands and feet occurs as a result of hormonal changes but it could just as well be poor circulation due to the added weight of your baby.
Exercise, reducing your intake of salt, and elevating your legs while sitting or lying down are all ways to combat swelling.
Compression socks and gloves offer relief to many expectant moms, too.
While it's normal to expect your body to change during pregnancy, it's not normal to just put up with the associated discomfort.
One of the best things you can do is wear a supportive bodysuit that helps keep your body in proper posture.
Watch what you eat, exercise if you can, and do everything possible to feel good and stay healthy while you await the birth of your precious bundle of joy.