Relieving Pregnancy Pains Without Medications

While my first pregnancy was a breeze with practically zero side effects or symptoms, I haven't been so lucky the second time around. Now I know why all the women I know hated me a little throughout and after my first pregnancy. Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to experience all those nasty negative symptoms that can come with pregnancy during my past 34 weeks of baby cooking.

Of course, there are still many much worse off than me, but I definitely don't envy them. So, while doing my own research, I realized how lovely it would be to share with others all the natural ways to relieve those common pregnancy pains.
Natural Pregnancy Pain Relief

Migraines

According to the American Pregnancy Association and the experience of other mothers, an important tool for coping with and treating pregnancy migraines is tracking your migraines and triggers. To do this properly, you may want to simply keep a journal of what you ate, when you were stressed, etc and see how that relates to when you get migraines. The point is, you're discovering what is triggering these migraines, which could help you prevent them.

Common Home Remedies

  • Cool down (cold compress to the head, cold shower, etc)
  • Sleep and relaxation
  • Meditation or yoga
  • Exercise
  • Climaxing (orgasms)

Back Pain

Because of the weight women typically gain during pregnancy, NYU Langone Medical Center estimates that around half of all pregnant women will experience some discomfort or pain in their back during pregnancy. Therefore, back pain can be considered a rather common pregnancy symptom. Knowing how to relieve back pain is beneficial whether you're pregnant or not. Here are some basics:

Treating Back Pain

  • Wear compression garments
  • Chiropractor
  • Exercises & stretching (typically swimming and stationary bikes)
  • Massages
  • Good posture
  • Hot or cold therapy

General Physical Pain

Every pregnancy is different, whether we're talking about one mother and her six different pregnancies or we're talking about ten different women who are pregnant at the same time. No two pregnancies are alike. Therefore, the pain experienced (or not experienced) during pregnancy varies and so do treatment options. Northland Family Planning has some great suggestions for pain relief.

General Pain Relief

  • Getting a massage, including back, uterus, and thighs
  • Utilizing a heating pad or taking a hot shower or bubble bath
  • Distraction (whether it be via conversation, an activity, etc)
  • Deep breathing exercises

Muscle Cramping or Spasms

This has been my least favorite side effect of this pregnancy, period! The first time I woke up in the middle of the night with an excruciating, painfully knotted calf muscle, I thought it was a fluke. Who knew that, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (also here) and NYU Langone Medical Center, pregnancy is actually a common cause of muscle cramps or spasms? I certainly had no idea, but those suckers are the worse! So, after complaining to some friends, family, and coworkers, I was able to glean a little light on my problem. Then a google search and some testing on myself led me discover the best ways to treat these horrid cramps/spasms.

Preventing Muscle Cramps or Spasms

  • Stretch (I typically did this before bed)
  • Stay hydrated (water, water, water...not pop)
  • More potassium (bananas or orange juice)
  • Calcium or Vitamin D supplements, under doctor's supervision
  • Stay active
  • Sleep on your side, preferably left side
  • Massages or hot/cold treatments
  • Walk it out (in the case that it's a foot/leg cramp or spasm)
Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I ever claimed to be, a medical professional. Sources of information are linked or from my own personal experiences. Please consult your doctor before taking any supplements, radically changing your lifestyle (including exercise and eating habits) or if you have other concerns. This is just meant as a guide.

What were your worse pregnancy symptoms? Have you tried any of these non-medicated methods? Do you have any to add?

24 comments :

  1. My wife still gets cramps like when she was pregnant. The doctor told her it was normal.

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    1. How long has it been since she delivered, out of curiosity? Postpartum cramping is the worse, though!

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  2. My worst symptoms changed with each kiddo. I can tell you that my middle child was the one who didn't give me very many symptoms, though.

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    1. This is my second pregnancy. My first was an absolute breeze. This one has definitely been trying!

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  3. My first pregnancy was a breeze, but morning sickness hit with the other boys. I had to avoid certain smells and found that animal cookies with a hint of citrus helped soothe my belly. With my 4th, I had to eat a few crackers before getting out of bed.

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    1. I didn't have food aversions. I had general nausea and it was terrible! But my first pregnancy, like yours, was a breeze.

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  4. I always got leg cramps when I was pregnant that is one thing that I don't miss.

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    1. I never even knew it was a thing! They are horrid!

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  5. Anonymous3/28/2014

    I am lucky I didn't have bad symptoms with my only pregnancy. I was able to avoid any medication.

    Michelle F.

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    1. I didn't with my first, but this one has been a little disorienting!

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  6. Massages and hot baths always worked well for me. Amber N

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  7. Pregnancy is tough, good thing a sweet little baby is the reward. Migraines were my pregnancy problem. Hang in there.

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  8. It is nice that you shared tips to help others. I bet it's going to end up being helpful.

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  9. I was so afraid to take medication while pregnant. I didn't even take Tylenol, I simply dealt with the aches and pains. I think doing anything naturally to relieve pain is better even when not pregnant. Yoga, acupuncture, meditation stretching...all those things really can help!

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    1. I don't know what acupuncture is, but I'm going to look it up now. I only take Tylenol for the really bad sinus aches I have been getting recently. Otherwise, I'm a suck it up kind of person.

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  10. Wonderful tips and you are so thoughtful to share them. I had a hard time for the first part of my pregnancy and haven't found much help for my pains.

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  11. Great tips...while I was miserable with my first my second was much nicer...it's always nice to say you've experienced both...it make us moms even stronger.

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    1. I got a lot of hate (mostly love-hate) from my female companions and family because I had it so easy the first time. I think they're all not-so-secretly ah-ha-ing this time around.

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  12. I had horrible migranes when I was breagnant. The worst EVER! And I could take no medication, I mean real medication because I use prescription medication to my migranes normally. But during bregnancy that is not an option. The only thing that would work, was closing myself into a dark, quiet room without any sensory stimulation, no lights, no sounds, no smells, nothing. And then after few hours it would pass, or not.

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    1. I can't even imagine. There's no way I'd be able to get away with that with two kids. It sounds terrible!

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  13. Great Tips! I had a ton of aches with pregnancy and this would have come in very handy! Love your cute belly!

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  14. These are wonderful tips! I tried to got through my pregnancy without medication as much as I could :)

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    1. Tylenol and me have been besties, admittedly. That's mostly due to the sinus problem!

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  15. Anonymous3/30/2014

    These are all wonderful tips. I had 5 kids and did many of these things you listed. I'd say one of the best things for pain during pregnancy was my chiropractor - AMAZING results.

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