Nausea, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, varicose veins, frequent urination… Most of the complaints you experience during pregnancy are part of your body's normal adaptation process. We answered three questions for each of them separately: why does it happen, what can you do at home, when should you consult your doctor?
During pregnancy, your body goes through a rapid adaptation process: hormones change, blood volume increases, ligaments relax, the growing uterus makes room for neighboring organs. The price of this harmony is often a series of minor complaints. The good news is that most of these are part of the normal course of pregnancy and go away after birth. Below we have discussed the most common ones one by one; We answered the same three questions in each one: why does it happen, what can you do at home, when should you consult your doctor?
Why does it happen? Some nausea, whether accompanied by vomiting or not, occurs in up to 90% of pregnancies. Symptoms typically start at 5–6 weeks, peak around week 9, and usually resolve at 16–20 weeks; It may persist into the third trimester in 15-20% of pregnant women and until birth in 5% (UpToDate, "Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: Clinical findings and evaluation", July 2026). The popular name "morning sickness" is misleading: in approximately 80% of pregnant women, the complaint continues throughout the day.
What to do at home? Not going hungry is one of the most effective measures; It's helpful to snack on something like crackers or cheese before getting out of bed in the morning. Keep meals small and eat every 1-2 hours; Prefer protein-rich, plain, low-fat, dry or salty foods; It is recommended to eliminate coffee, spicy, fragrant and very sweet foods by trial. Drink liquids cold, clear and sour, at least half an hour before or after solid foods, and little by little. Avoid triggers such as airless environment, perfume-food-cigarette smell, heat, humidity and vehicle movement. Take the pregnancy vitamin with a snack at night, not on an empty stomach. Ginger reduced nausea but did not significantly reduce vomiting compared to placebo in meta-analyses.
If medication is required: If these measures are not sufficient, the first-line medication option is vitamin B6 (pyridoxine); If it is not sufficient, an antihistamine called doxylamine is added (UpToDate, "Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: Treatment and outcome", July 2026). Your doctor should determine the dose and duration. Since iron-containing supplements can increase nausea, they can be postponed until the complaints subside; Make this decision together with your doctor.
When to see a doctor? The severe end of the complaint is called hyperemesis gravidarum. International consensus criteria are as follows: onset of complaints before the 16th week, severe nausea and/or vomiting, inability to eat and drink normally and carry out daily activities. Losing more than 5% of pre-pregnancy weight is also a classic criterion. If your urination has decreased significantly, if you feel dizzy when you stand up, or if you cannot hold anything down, do not wait. Additionally, nausea that begins after the 10th week or is accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, or bilious vomiting may not be due to pregnancy.
Why does it happen? Heartburn affects 40-85% of pregnant women (UpToDate, "Maternal adaptations to pregnancy: Gastrointestinal tract", August 2026). Pregnancy hormones reduce the pressure of the valve between the esophagus and stomach (lower esophageal sphincter); The pressure of the growing uterus on the stomach is added to this. In most pregnant women, the complaint increases from the first trimester to the third trimester and regresses after birth.
What to do at home? Elevating the head of the bed, not lying down immediately after eating, making meals smaller, and eliminating triggers (oily, spicy, acidic foods, chocolate, coffee) are the first steps.
If medication is required: When these measures are not sufficient, treatment is started with antacids, alginates or sucralfate; If there is no response, first H2 receptor blockers and then proton pump inhibitors are used. The new group of drugs called Vonoprazan is not used because there is no data on its safety during pregnancy (UpToDate, "Prenatal care: Patient education...", August 2026).
When to see a doctor? If you have difficulty swallowing, involuntary weight loss, the appearance of blood or coffee grounds in your vomit, or black-tarry stools, apply immediately.
Why does it happen? Constipation is reported by 16-39% in each trimester of pregnancy; In a study conducted with newer diagnostic criteria, it was found to be 44% in the second trimester and 36% in the third trimester (21% in non-pregnant women aged 18-44). The main reason is that progesterone slows down the intestinal muscles; The pressure of the growing uterus on the large intestine, iron in pregnancy vitamins and lack of movement also contribute.
What to do at home? Increasing fiber and fluid intake is the first and safest step. If medication is required, bulking (fiber-based) laxatives are preferred because they are not absorbed; Leave the choice to your physician. Because castor oil can stimulate uterine contraction and mineral oil impairs the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, it is generally not used during pregnancy.
Hemorrhoids: Approximately 30-40% of pregnant women and postpartum women suffer from hemorrhoids; It is most common in the last three months and immediately after birth. It may cause itching, discomfort and bleeding. Since constipation aggravates the complaint, eating plenty of fluids and fiber is the basic precaution; Local anti-inflammatory and anti-itch products are used for relief.
When to see a doctor? Do not assume for yourself that rectal bleeding is due to hemorrhoids; Ongoing bleeding should be investigated.
Why does it happen? Up to half of pregnant women experience calf cramps, especially at night, especially in the last three months. It is an involuntary, painful contraction of muscles; The exact cause is unknown (UpToDate, "Maternal adaptations to pregnancy: Musculoskeletal changes and pain", February 2026).
What to do at home? As soon as the cramp starts, stretching the calf (pulling the toes up), walking, shaking and elevating the leg will relieve it. As a preventive measure, standing stretching exercises (hold for 20 seconds and repeat three times), hot shower, ice massage, regular walking and sufficient fluids are recommended.
Supplements: A meta-analysis combining eight randomized trials failed to show benefit for magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C; In one small study of only 42 people, vitamin B (thiamine and pyridoxine combined) reduced cramp frequency and severity (RR 0.29; 95% CI 0.11-0.73). Since this single, small finding has not been confirmed, it wouldn't be right to say "take that supplement for cramps."
Restless legs syndrome (a feeling of discomfort that increases with rest, causing the desire to move the legs) is seen in up to a quarter of pregnant women. Treatment includes reassurance, non-drug methods and, in most cases, iron supplementation; Therefore, do not start supplementation without measuring your iron status.
When to the doctor? In case of persistent or severe cramps, magnesium, potassium, blood count and ferritin may be checked. Pain, swelling, redness and increased temperature in one leg are not cramps; It is urgent in case of clot (deep vein thrombosis).
Why does it happen? More than 60% of pregnant women report lower back pain. The center of gravity shifts forward, the lordosis in the waist increases, the abdominal muscles become stretched and weakened, and the load on the back muscles increases. In the pelvis, the anterior joint called the symphysis pubis widens and becomes more mobile under the influence of relaxin from weeks 10–12 onward; This can cause pain. A common cause of sharp, short-term pain felt in the groin is round ligament pain: the round ligaments that connect the uterus to the pelvis are stretched as the uterus grows and rises into the abdominal cavity; it is typically felt in the right or left lower abdomen at 14–27 weeks (Nursing Health Promotion, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025).
What to do at home? ACOG's recommended precautions for lower back pain during pregnancy are: wearing low-heeled and supported shoes, not flat; asking for help when lifting heavy items; bending the knees while lifting, squatting and keeping the back straight; using a chair with back support; Putting a pillow between your knees while lying on your side; Applying heat, cold or massage to the painful area. Exercise works: A meta-analysis covering 34 studies and more than 5,100 pregnant women reported that exercise can reduce pregnancy-related lower back pain and improve daily function. Warm compresses, warm baths, lying on your side with your knees pulled to your abdomen, and a pregnancy corset are helpful for round ligament pain. If painkillers are needed, the safest option during pregnancy is paracetamol; The decision is your doctor's.
When to see a doctor? Low back pain is not considered "normal pregnancy pain" if: severe pain at night that does not change with position and impairs function; Pain that increases with coughing, sneezing, or straining; loss of strength, numbness, or changes in reflexes in the leg; sudden incontinence or inability to urinate or defecate; fever, chills, weight loss. Sudden onset of severe lower abdominal pain should not be mistaken for round ligament pain, and emergency causes such as appendicitis should be excluded. The good news: lower back pain goes away after birth in 80-95% of cases.
Why does it happen? Pregnancy is a risk factor for varicose veins; It affects up to 40% of pregnant women, and enlargement of the superficial leg veins most often becomes evident in the third trimester. Increased blood volume, the growing uterus increases the pressure in the pelvic and leg veins, and hormones relax the vessel wall. Varicose veins do not only occur in the legs; It can also be seen in the anus (as hemorrhoids) and in the external genital area. Swelling (edema) in the legs is the result of water retention during pregnancy: in the period close to birth, there is an average of 3 liters of extra water in the body; Ankle and leg edema is normal in most pregnant women during this period.
What to do at home? Avoiding standing or sitting still for long periods of time, lying on the left side while resting and sleeping, elevating the legs, using compression stockings with gradual pressure, and going into water relieves complaints. Compression socks do not prevent varicose veins, but they can reduce the existing complaint. Diuretics are not used during pregnancy because edema is not harmful and diuretics can reduce uterine-placental blood flow.
When to see a doctor? Sudden and significant swelling of the hands, face, and feet—especially if accompanied by a headache or vision change—should be evaluated for preeclampsia.
Why does it happen? Urinating more than 7 times a day and waking up two or more times a night affects 80-95% of pregnant women at some point during pregnancy. Complaints often begin in the first three months; So, the pressure of the uterus on the bladder is not the only cause — changes in bladder function and a small increase in the amount of urine also play a role. Urination at night increases in the following weeks; This is due to the fact that the fluid accumulated in the legs during the day enters the circulation at night.
What can you do at home? Avoid caffeine and do not drink fluids during the 2–3 hours before bedtime; do not restrict your fluid intake during the day.
When to see a doctor? Burning when urinating, small amounts of urine with a constant feeling of urgency, side pain, fever or a bad odor in the urine suggest a urinary tract infection; These infections are taken seriously during pregnancy. Urine output exceeding 3 liters per day is not physiological.
Why does it happen? Nasal congestion called "gestational rhinitis" develops in 20-30% of pregnant women. It has no allergic cause, it is hormone-related and disappears completely within two weeks after birth; It does not respond well to medications either. Nosebleeds are also common; It is attributed to increased blood flow to the nasal mucosa. Most pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis, which causes swelling of the gums; Gums may bleed while brushing.
What to do at home? In case of nasal congestion, increasing room humidity and using salt water spray can be tried; Do not use decongestants on your own. Good oral care for gums is essential; Treatment includes dental scaling and the use of additional antibiotics when necessary.
When to see a doctor? Report to your physician any nosebleeds that do not stop within 20 minutes of applying pressure or that recur frequently, or spontaneous and profuse bleeding from the gums. Approximately 2-5% of pregnant women may develop a small red-purple swelling (pyogenic granuloma) in the mouth that bleeds easily; It is benign and most of them regress spontaneously after birth.
Why does it happen? Respiratory rate does not change during pregnancy, but the amount of air taken with each breath increases; The volume of air inhaled per minute increases by approximately 50%. This increase, managed from the brain through progesterone, is the physiological cause of the feeling of shortness of breath and gradually settles down.
What to do at home? Sitting upright, slowing down, and lying slightly elevated at night will provide relief.
When to see a doctor? If sudden onset of shortness of breath is accompanied by cough, wheezing, chest pain, fever or coughing up blood, this is not physiological; requires urgent evaluation.
Why does it happen? In almost all pregnant women, skin color darkens: the belly line becomes more prominent (linea nigra), the nipple and its surrounding area, the armpits and the inner thighs become darker. Dark spots on the face (melasma, "pregnancy mask") are seen in up to 75% of pregnant women. Since sunlight nourishes the permanence of these spots, broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 and above is an essential part of protection. Pregnancy-related melasma usually resolves within a year; Some of them may not disappear completely.
Stretch marks (striae gravidarum) typically begin in the 6th–7th month as pink-purple streaks and are most common on the abdomen, breasts, and thighs. Family history, high pre-pregnancy body mass index, weight gain, and multiple pregnancy increase the risk. There is no high-quality evidence that commercial creams, lotions, or ointments prevent stretch marks; stretch marks fade after birth but do not disappear completely.
Small red veins (spider veins) branching from the middle appear on the face, neck and chest in approximately 66% of light-skinned pregnant women and in 11% of dark-skinned women; 90% of these regress within three months after birth.
When to see a doctor? If a mole changes in a way that causes concern in a non-pregnant person, it should be evaluated with the same seriousness during pregnancy. Itching occurs in up to 40% of pregnant women and is often innocent; However, if the widespread itching, which becomes evident on the palms and soles of the feet and increases at night, occurs without a rash, be sure to inform your doctor that it may indicate pregnancy cholestasis.
Most complaints during pregnancy are significantly alleviated with simple measures. Don't think "I have to put up with it": if necessary, there are medication options that are considered safe during pregnancy. Explain your complaints clearly during control examinations; If one of the warning signs above occurs, do not wait.
Last updated: . This content has undergone scientific verification and is not a substitute for a medical examination.