A healthy woman is more likely to give birth to a healthy baby. So how can pharmacy teams advise mums-to-be on what to do to look after themselves, as well as their bump?

Pregnancy can be a stressful time for parents-to-be and many will spend nine months on very baby-focused activities like reading parenting books, preparing the nursery and choosing potential names. But focusing on themselves is equally important for women, especially when it comes to their health and protecting the future health of their baby. In particular, the first 1,000 days (from conception to age two) are a crucial period that will have an impact on the rest of a child’s life. 

New research about neurological development and the impact on babies of maternal stress and anxiety in pregnancy, make prevention and early intervention even more important. Luckily, there’s plenty of advice pharmacy teams can give to support women – and their partners – to adopt positive health behaviours and deal with some of the most common pregnancy problems.

Morning sickness

Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) is very common and is thought to be caused by changes in hormone levels during the first weeks of pregnancy. 

“Symptoms of morning sickness can occur at any time of day or night,” says independent pharmacy leader Deborah Evans. “It usually clears up around week 16 and lifestyle changes can help, such as getting plenty of rest, avoiding foods or smells that make the woman feel sick, eating dry toast or a plain biscuit, eating or drinking foods containing ginger (such as raw ginger in hot water, sipped frequently) and acupressure on the wrist using a band designed to relieve sickness.” However, Deborah warns: “If sickness is severe there is a risk of dehydration so you should refer the woman to her GP.”

Tiredness and problems sleeping

Tiredness is very common, particularly in very early pregnancy when hormones levels change, and in late pregnancy when the growing baby can make sleeping uncomfortable.

Deborah says the key to feeling less tired is to take frequent rest breaks, eat healthily and take gentle exercise. “Yoga, pilates, meditation and relaxing music can also help with relaxation before sleep, and avoiding caffeine-containing drinks is generally a good idea in pregnancy,” she adds. “Towards the end of pregnancy the woman can use pillows in bed to support the back, and between the knees lying on one side to bring comfort. It is recommended that women sleep on their sides in later pregnancy as this has been shown to reduce the incidence of still-births.”

Stretch marks

Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body as a result of weight gain and stretching of a woman’s skin as her baby grows, with an estimated 75-90 per cent of women prone to developing them during pregnancy. 

“Diet and exercise can improve the skin’s health during pregnancy, incorporating foods such as dark leafy vegetables, almonds, avocado, red meats, poultry and whole grains, and maximising circulation by being active”, says Deborah, who adds that massaging an oil on the most common areas for stretch marks twice daily from around 13 weeks can help.

Incontinence

Between 30 and 50 per cent of women experience incontinence during or after pregnancy, but it remains a sensitive subject.

One of the main causes of incontinence during and after pregnancy is a weakened pelvic floor. “The growing uterus puts increasing pressure on the bladder’s surrounding muscles, causing them to weaken,” explains Donna Wilson, TENA training and brand manager. “The ovaries also produce relaxin, a hormone which relaxes pelvic muscles to prepare the body for childbirth. When the pelvic floor muscles become too weak they are less effective at supporting the bladder, leading to urine leakage.”

To counteract the weakened pelvic floor after pregnancy, Donna suggests women practice kegel exercises up to four times a day. “Regularity of the exercises within the first four to eight weeks following a baby’s birth will see new mothers notice a positive difference,” she says.

Donna adds that in the meantime, “it is also important that women face the problem head on, and this is where the pharmacy team has a critical role in providing information to pregnant women around product benefits and use, to assess the level of absorbency they need and what product would best suit their situation”.

Back pain

More than two-thirds of women are expected to suffer from muscular back pain at some time during pregnancy, according to a 2015 Cochrane Review.

Elvy Mardjono, senior product manager for topical pain relief brand Deep Freeze, says there are a number of reasons why this is the case, including the effects of relaxin, which helps soften and stretch the ligaments in preparation for labour, and the natural change in posture as the baby bump grows, changing the centre of gravity which may lead to back pain or strain.

“Pregnant women should always be advised to check new symptoms with their midwife,” says Elvy, “but the pharmacy team can help pregnant customers to manage muscular back pain by recommending products such as pain relief cold gel or patches, as well as lifestyle advice. While it is always important to check with a midwife or GP before starting any new exercise programme or carrying out strenuous exercise, the pharmacy team may recommend that mums-to-be continue regular exercise, such as walking or swimming, which can help strengthen muscles and keep them flexible. It is also important to pay attention to posture so the spine is not strained by slouching, and staff may recommend a pregnancy support belt, especially in the later stages.”

Heartburn and indigestion

The hormonal changes during pregnancy relax the sphincter at the top of the stomach, which together with the pressure of the baby’s weight, can cause indigestion and heartburn for many expectant mums. Symptoms are most common from 27 weeks and include a burning sensation or pain in the chest, feeling full, heavy or bloated, burping and feeling or being sick. 

“Eating small quantities of food at a time and avoiding rich, spicy and high-fat foods can help as well as sitting upright and being propped up when in bed,” says Deborah. “Antacids and alginates can be taken during pregnancy and are taken when symptoms appear. If discomfort occurs with all food, then they can be taken before a meal and at night to prevent symptoms coming on. If the indigestion is very troublesome then you should refer the woman to her GP who may prescribe an H2 antagonist such as ranitidine or a proton-pump inhibitor like omeprazole.”

Swollen ankles

Water retention during pregnancy is normal and can lead to ankles, lower legs and fingers becoming swollen, particularly towards the end of the day and during hot weather. To help reduce swelling, pharmacy teams can advise women to avoid standing for long periods, wear comfortable shoes and socks that are not too tight and even consider maternity support tights. 

“Women should try to rest with their feet up, drink plenty of water, take regular walks and try doing foot exercises to maintain a good circulation,” says Deborah. “Swelling that comes on gradually is not usually harmful, but sudden increases in swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia – a condition affecting some women, usually in their second half of pregnancy from 20 weeks.” If this is suspected, the woman needs to be referred immediately.

As is so often the case with customer interactions, it’s not just engaging with those who are already experiencing problems that is important. Every interaction pharmacy teams have is an opportunity to improve outcomes, not just for mothers-to-be, but for their future children as well.

Between 30 and 50 per cent of women experience incontinence during or after pregnancy