Physical discomfort during pregnancy

Leg cramps 

• While the cause of leg cramps is not fully known, try various exercises and massages to ease leg cramps.  

• If you are experiencing severe leg pain or tenderness, changing temperature (cold or hot legs to the touch) swelling or discoloring in your legs (bluish or pale colour), contact your doctor. Though uncommon, a blood clot can form in a deep vein of the leg (a condition called DVT) which could be life-threatening 

Back pain 

• Avoid standing with your belly pushed forward and your back arched too much. Instead, maintain a posture with your ears, shoulders and hips in a straight line. It helps to rest one foot on a small box, brick or stool. Try not to stand for long periods of time 

• When sitting, add back support or pillow on your lower back. Take a break every hour if you must sit for prolonged periods 

• Avoid heavy lifting and only lift by raising from a squat while keeping your waist and back straight 

• It helps to sleep on a firm mattress and to lie on your side with a pillow between your knees 

Pelvic ache and hip pain 

• Pregnancy hormones are released to relax your ligaments during your pregnancy which loosens up your pelvic bones so that they can shift for childbirth. Acupuncture treatments or pelvic stabilizing exercises have been shown to help with pelvic pain 

Carpal Tunnel syndrome 

• There are non-surgical treatments to aid with pain in your wrist, fingers and sometimes in the arm. Change or avoid activities that cause the symptoms and take frequent breaks from repetitive tasks. Wear a wrist splint to keep your wrist straight, especially at night. Do exercises to stretch and strengthen your hand and arm. Surgery should be delayed