During pregnancy your body goes through a massive set of changes, affecting all your organs and body systems. These changes are so dramatic and far-reaching that it’s perhaps not surprising that many pregnant women develop pregnancy problems.

These pregnancy problems are not usually serious and tend to disappear without any treatment during pregnancy or within a few weeks (or even days) of giving birth.

Remember! Do not take any medication – or use any alternative remedies – during your pregnancy without asking your midwife, doctor or pharmacist, or qualified alternative practitioner.

Anaemia in pregnancy

Anaemia is a condition in which you don’t have enough red cells in your blood. A few women do become truly anaemic in pregnancy. If this happens, you may feel very tired and look pale…

Backache in pregnancy

Backache in pregnancy is very common and affects one in every two women, especially in the later stages…

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular tightenings of the uterus. Although Braxton Hicks contractions happen from very early in pregnancy, most women do not really notice them until the second half of their pregnancy…

Breast tenderness in pregnancy

Breast tenderness in pregnancy is one of the earliest signs of being pregnant. It usually starts around 4 to 6 weeks and breast tenderness usually eases around the middle of pregnancy…

Constipation in pregnancy

Constipation in pregnancy is very common and can happen at any time…

Cravings in pregnancy

No one knows for sure what causes food cravings in pregnancy. Many women find that their senses of taste and smell are changed by pregnancy…

Dizziness in pregnancy

Faintness and dizziness in pregnancy is quite common, especially in early pregnancy…

Dry, irrirated eyes in pregnancy

Hormonal changes such as those experienced during pregnancy can increase the risk of dry irritated feeling eyes

Headaches in pregnancy

Some women suffer headaches in pregnancy, especially in the early stages. These may be caused by widening of blood vessels in the brain. Low blood sugar levels may also cause headaches…

Heartburn in pregnancy

Heartburn in pregnancy is very common, affecting around two in three women. Heartburn is most common in the last three months of pregnancy, though some women start to get it as early as 20 weeks…

Incontinence in pregnancy

Incontinence in pregnancy is a very embarrassing, but extremely common condition. At times during pregnancy, many women find that they wet themselves slightly when they cough, laugh, exercise, bend over, or lift something.

Morning sickness

Morning sickness is one of the most common – and most miserable – complaints of pregnancy, affecting around 70 per cent of pregnant women…

Pelvic joint pain in pregnancy

The main symptoms of pelvic joint pain in pregnancy are pain in your pubic area, groin, the inside of your thighs and sometimes in your lower back and hips…

Piles in pregnancy

Piles in pregnancy tend to occur from around the second trimester. They may take several weeks to disappear after the birth, and often reoccur in subsequent pregnancies…

Stretch marks in pregnancy

Stretch marks in pregnancy may start to appear from as early as 3 to 4 months. Stretch marks usually occur on your tummy and your breasts, as well as on your thighs and bottom…

Swelling in pregnancy

Swelling in pregnancy is common. On average, about a quarter of the weight women gain during pregnancy is made up by fluid retention…

Thrush in pregnancy

It has been estimated that women are between two and ten times more likely to get thrush in pregnancy…

Tiredness in pregnancy

Tiredness in pregnancy can be a particular problem for women in the first and last trimesters…

Urine infections in pregnancy

Urine infections in pregnancy are more common than at other times…