Being pregnant is an exciting time, but it can be affected by problems for the mother:

• Nausea is very common in early pregnancy, and while it is unpleasant it usually resolves after the first trimester. A few women develop a severe form of sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum, which can lead to dehydration or malnourishment and requires specialist treatment, often in hospital
• Abdominal, back or pelvic pain is also common, and can be due to ligaments stretching to support the growing baby, trapped wind, heartburn, constipation or haemorrhoids. However earlier in pregnancy it can be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, particularly if accompanied by bleeding, and later in pregnancy it can be a sign of the placenta failing or pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, all of which need medical attention
• Tiredness is a common complaint, early on because of hormonal changes and later because of the extra weight being carried. If accompanied by other symptoms such as increased thirst, it can be a sign of gestational diabetes, which needs quick diagnosis and management in order to protect the health of both baby and mother
• Itching can be annoying and may be due to raised hormone levels or the skin stretching, but it can also be a sign of obstetric cholestasis, a liver condition that can be dangerous for the unborn baby.

Support and signposting

It is important that a woman looks after herself while she’s pregnant to maintain her own health and wellbeing, as well as her baby’s. 

In addition, accessing the many health services available to pregnant women, such as regular check ups and scans, is crucial so health professionals can keep an eye on both the mother and growing baby. 

Sadly, pregnancy can go wrong, resulting in a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth. In some cases, a serious abnormality may be detected during routine tests and scans, and some couples may decide to terminate the pregnancy. All of these situations can be extremely distressing, but pharmacy teams can provide support and appropriate signposting to those affected.