Health Issues During Pregnancy

This pregnancy by far is the most challenging one. It is my third pregnancy and the previous two pregnancies if I can sum up were pretty smooth sailing. I never knew that we are so prone to be contracted by so many diseases and aches. Let's see what I used to have or still have at the moment:

1. Lymph node tuberculosis

Luckily, I was reaching my final treatment days before I knew I was pregnant. I still don't know where I got it since no one in my family had it. I am a full time mom, so not many human contacts I suppose. I travel alone, no public transport whatsoever. The only thing that I can pin point, and I am not even sure myself, I probably contracted the disease when I was taking care of my father at a hospital months prior to being diagnosed. 

The symptoms were pretty mild for me. I wasn't even bothered by it at all. The night sweats and massive weight loss. But, so many things were happening at that point in life, so I thought there were pretty normal for me. Until, I realized that I had a small lump right under my left armpit. It started very small and unfortunately it was steadily growing even after I took months of antibiotics. The big C was in my mind the whole time. I guess that was the scariest part in my life. I had a surgery to remove it and they did a biopsy. And it was TB. Alhamdulillah it was not cancerous, and I guess I was lucky. And that was why I am still thankful to Him. 


2. Hives 

So with most TBs you need to be on meds for months. Shortest being six months but it can go up to 7-9 months. For extra-pulmonary TB like in my case, it is the latter. They gave me Akurit. Stronger dosage for the first three months (Akurit-4)  and the dosage were reduced with the coming months after that. The meds I can take. But I soon discovered, I was allergic to Akurit. When nights came, I had pale, red swollen bumps all over my body. They were hives. They were not so bad during the day because somehow your body naturally produces anti-inflammatory chemicals that lessen the itching sensations. But your body needs to rest at night. Hence, the hives get worse. I didn't know that Akurit was the culprit. So, I did everything to cross out any possibilities. I cleaned my house because I thought it could be the dust. I changed my diet. I drank lots of water. I tried not to get too stressed out but it was really impossible. How could I not be depressed when I had rough nights for months?  I mean, tried sleeping with those itchy bumps all over your body. It really affects your quality of life. When we found out the connection between Akurit and the hives, I was put on Zyrtec twice a day and it was all beds of roses for me again. 


3. Asthma

So when I had to go for my regular pregnancy check ups and with my TB history, my gynae also referred me to a pulmonologist just to be sure that I am really TB free. I was reluctant at first, but she had a valid point. If I still have it, it could be dangerous to the developing fetus. I guess, Allah is still  testing me. I had asthma. After so many years of not having it, now I have it. I was on Foster, twice a day for pre-caution and Ventolin, whenever I had attacks. It was so bothersome initially, but now, meh. 


4. Nosebleeds

I learned in this pregnancy, that I am prone to get nosebleeds. Why? The blood vessels in your nose expand, and the increased blood supply puts more pressure on those delicate vessels, causing them to rupture more easily. With me, it all started when I felt a sudden rush in my body, my face will be flustered and then the bloods started dripping. But the bleeding will stop in a few minutes as I would normally pinch the soft lower part of my nose and keep giving pressure. It was really harmless but it could be really annoying. 



5. Vaginal discharge


Do not be alarmed. It is common and it is normal to have more vaginal discharge as you approach labour. When to worry? When your normal, white, odorless discharge starts to change colour to green, yellow and gray with unpleasant odour. They might leads to several problems so you might want to inform your doctor. Or when you notice that there is blood or even when it is just tinged with blood and you are not even 37 weeks, go to the nearest hospital as it might indicate preterm labour. 

Just keep your panty liners within reach cause there is nothing you can do about it. And stay hygienic. 


6. Constipation and Hemorrhoids

My worst nightmare. Constipation. Somehow, when you are pregnant, your progesterone increases, which in turn relaxes your muscles including your intestines. It means food passes through intestines moves pretty slow. Slow movement means slow digestion which could lead to constipation.

The remedies are:

a. Drink lots of water. 
I'll keep a bottle of water next to my bed, at the kitchen, my coffee table and on my study table. That is my way of reminding myself, more like forcing myself to drink enough water everyday.

b. High-fiber diet.
Basically eat more fruits and vegetables. If you are too lazy or aren't too keen of consuming them, you can opt for fruits or vegetable juices. For me, kiwi helps a lot. It is proven to relieves constipation more than bananas. You know what they say, "A kiwi a day, keeps constipation at bay". 

c. Exercises.
Do exercises that you like. You can do yoga. Walk or swim. Just keep moving. 

Another tip is you need to know your poop. It might sound funny and weird, but it helps you to understand your bowel movement much better. Hence, which further actions to take. 

The ideal stool is Type 3 and Type 4. Type 5-7 means you are heading towards diarrhea. Type 1 and 2 mean you are constipated.

The thing is I also have hemorrhoids at the moment. Though it is pretty common for pregnant women and it might resolve soon after I give birth, it was quite bad for me. I was hospitalized for a few days as mine were quite nasty. And this is the main reason why I wish I should have fixed my constipation problem way earlier. 

Hemorrhoids happens when the blood vessels in your rectum get swollen. They are also known as piles. They might be inside or protrude through the anus. You will feel itchy and uncomfortable and in my case it can be painful. It happens because your stool is hard and the extra straining put pressure on the veins, causing them to swell. 

My piles were the size of a thumb, and in a mission to shrink them to avoid surgery, I was on Daflon 500 mg twice a day. They put Xyloproct at the piles and each time the nurses will push the piles inside your anus as it will help to shrink them. And it was hell for me. The first two days were still bearable, but soon I was begging them not to do it. It was too painful for me and I wish no one should ever go through that experience. 

Five days passes, and although the doctor advised me to go for surgery, I was very adamant to say no to him. I was let go on a promise that I will meet him for a follow up and I have to make sure that the piles will continue to shrink. 

I went home and I had rectal bleeding for few days. But I continue with the meds and it stopped. I also tried these:

a) Apply ice packs like they did at the hospital. Just put water in the disposable gloves, tie off the 'finger parts', cut them and freeze them. You will end up having five tiny ice packs that will fit likek a cushion nicely in between your bum. Creative isn't it? Just be sure to apply the "ïce fingers" for 20 minutes at every four-six hours interval. You can't do more than that as it will make the piles bleed.

b) As you apply the ointment (Xyloproct), the nurse will mix it with sugar. Don't ask me how and why, but the only thing I know is it helps to shrink the piles.. Something with osmosis I suppose. 

c) Soak your bottom in warm water. It helps to ease the itching too. 

d) Stay clean and dry.

e) Do not strain or linger in the toilet. 

f) Buy a donut shaped pillow if sitting is a problem for you.

So far, I was given OK by the doctor. That means no surgery. I just have to make sure that I watch my diet and try to avoid being constipated.