Nurse Ricketts provides an informative antenatal class discussing common minor discomforts during pregnancy and their remedies. Topics covered include nausea, breast changes, frequent urination, constipation, backache, leg cramps, headaches, fatigue, heartburn, varicose veins, and emotional factors. The class encourages women to seek medical advice for any unusual symptoms and emphasizes the importance of support from family and caregivers.

1. ANTENATAL CLASS WITH NURSE
RICKETTS NIGERIA.

2. COPING WITH COMMON MINOR
DISCOMFORTS IN PREGNANCY.
BY; NURSE RICKETTS
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR

3. WELCOME!
My Name is Nurse Ricketts, a
Nigerian trained Nurse Midwife. I
love Childbirth education and
would want you to enjoy this
with me!

4. INTRODUCTION
Every pregnancy is a unique experience for every
woman.
All pregnancies are new and uniquely different for
every mother!
In this series we’ll be discussing the minor disorders in
Pregnancy and how to handle them.

5. NAUSEA AND VOMITING
About 50% of pregnant are said to be affected by this
disorder during pregnancy. The exact cause is not known
but it is thought to be an effect of the combination of
hormonal changes, physiological adjustments and
neurologic factors.
This condition often makes the mother feel like throwing
up at the smell and taste of anything including her saliva.
This in combination with a few hormonal factors lead to
increased salivation.

6. REMEDY
O Remedies include Eating dry biscuits with
a drink before getting out of bed,
avoidance of spicy or pungent odours,
eating little food often.
O Eating small frequent meals will help to
maintain the body’s blood sugar levels
and taking small amount of fluid in
between meals, help maintain hydration.

7. IF IT CONTINUES………..
This condition usually gets better around the 16th -20th
week. Where the situation worsens, hospitalization
may be required. At such a stage it is known as
HYPEREMISES GRAVIDARUM. Studies have shown
that a well balanced diet containing all the required
food groups prior to conception could reduce the
incidence of this disorder.

8. BREAST CHANGES
Breast tenderness and feeling of fullness are some of
the first changes noticed by a woman at the inception
of pregnancy. These changes are as a result of
hormonal and circulatory preparations for
breastfeeding.
 Remedy at this point may not be specific, but the
wearing of firm brassieres would be encouraged.

9. FREQUENCY OF MICTURITION
This could occur in the early months
of pregnancy, when the enlarging
uterus is in the pelvis, pressuring the
bladder. Thereby reducing its urine
containing capacity.
It could also occur at the 30th week
when the presenting part becomes
enlarged.

10. CLASS ACTIVITY……..
What would you do if you are pressed, and you find
yourself in an environment where there is no
convenient
convenience……????????

11. MY ANSWER……!!!!!!!!!

12. OR………

13. REMEDY
O There is no specific remedy for this
discomfort, but mothers are encouraged
to control their fluid intake when going to
places where a convenience is not very
accessible.
O Same for nights, so as to reduce sleep
interruptions.

14. CONSTIPATION
This occurs because progesterone relaxes the
muscles of the intestine thereby reducing peristaltic
movements/ actions. It could also result if high dose
of iron therapy is prescribed for a pregnant woman
(in cases of Anemia).
Remedy; intake of adequate / increased fluid, diets
rich in fiber / Roughage, to allow for easy digestion
and excretion.

15. BACKACHE
During pregnancy a woman’s body
undergoes many changes and backache
can ensue from the growing uterus
causing a change in posture and the
influence of a hormone called Relaxin.
This discomfort is not limited to any
particular trimester, but may span the
entire pregnancy period.
Please note that women who have a pre-
pregnancy back condition, are at higher
risk of experiencing more severe aches.

16. Remedies
Includes education on the maintenance of
a good posture, adopting appropriate
positions when lifting either small children
or heavy objects, avoidance of standing
for long hours, wearing supporting
maternal girdle and pelvic exercises.
Others are gentle massage and taking a
warm bath.

17. CRAMP IN THE LEG
Cramp which Is a sudden gripping contraction of the
calf muscle, frequently occurs during the third
trimester of pregnancy. The cause is thought to be
lowered serum ionized calcium level and increased
level of phosphates. Amazingly it usually occurs at
night.

18. OTHER CRAMP SITES…

19. Remedies;
Include;
O Leg stretching exercises before going to
bed,
O Reduction of intake of soft /carbonated
drinks/ processed food in meals,
O Adequate intake of vitamin B, calcium and
salt are also necessary to reduce its
occurrence.

20. HEADACHE
Headaches in pregnancy are usually as a result of hormonal
changes, strain on the eyes, sinusitis, fatigue and
emotional changes and can occur at any stage of
pregnancy.
Remedy; includes rest and adequate nutrition.
Where it occurs towards the end of pregnancy with raised
blood pressure, and proteinuria, then urgent medical
attention is required.

21. FATIGUE
This condition affects most women not just during
pregnancy, but also at the post natal period.
In the first trimester, when it occurs, its due to
hormonal changes and the organogenesis that is
taking place. In the second trimester it’s usually
less, but in the third, it usually related to the increase
in weight , difficult mobility and increased
metabolism.

22. POST-NATALY…………
Post-nataly, it’s attributed to the stress of labour and
the physical demands of caring for the newborn.

23. Remedy;
ADEQUATE REST

24. HEARTBURN
This is caused by the relaxing effect of progesterone on
the cardiac sphincter, causing acid stomach contents
refluxing into the oesophagus. This causes some sort
of pain.

25. Remedy;
Small frequent easily digestible meals and
sleeping in semi recumbent positions at
night may make an unusual impact.
Antacids too can be used.

26. VARICOSE VIENS
This may develop in pregnancy, and if already
present, could become worse due to relaxation of
plain muscle in the veins and impaired venous system.
Remedy: includes wearing of elastic tights, elevating /
lifting the legs when about to sleep at night.

27. VAGINAL DISCHARGE
In pregnancy there is the normal vaginal discharge
known as ‘leucorrhoea”, but can increase or become
infected. When this occurs, Medical attention should
be sought.

28. EMOTIONAL FACTORS
This is very common during pregnancy and can be due
to several factors. One is the hormonal imbalance,
which influences her psychological state and how she
reacts to situations.
The other is the physical discomfort of some of the
disorders she’s experiencing.

29. Remedy
Here………, is her birth partner and
family members support, and reassurance
by her Caregiver and Midwife.

30.  Blurring of vision  Lower abdominal pains or
cramps
 Spotting, bleeding or  Persistent vomiting
sudden gush of fluid from
the vagina  High temperature or chills
 Swelling of hands and feet  Exposure to communicable
diseases e.g. measles
 Sudden weight gain  Continuous Severe headache
 Fainting spells or dizziness  Frequent burning urination

31. CONCLUSION
There are several other discomforts that we may not
have mentioned here, but if you experience anything
you consider unusual, please consult your doctor.

32. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST FROM ALL OF
US
@
ANTENATAL CLASS WITH NURSE
RICKETTS.