The rapidly changing hormones in a woman's body during pregnancy bring with them a host of signs and symptoms. Some of these are unique to pregnancy and are relatively unmistakable--increased breast size, for instance, and absence of a menstrual period leave little question as to the cause. Other symptoms, however, are more non-specific and flu-like, often leaving a woman wondering why she's feeling the way she is. Even a woman who knows she's pregnant may become frustrated as weeks go by and the troublesome flu-like symptoms persist.
Headache
The website American Pregnancy notes that one of the classic symptoms of pregnancy--and one of the most persistent--is a constant, mild headache. Like many symptoms of pregnancy, headaches are most common in the first and third trimesters. During the first trimester, changing hormones trigger changes in blood pressure, which can result in headache. In the third trimester, the weight of the increasingly large fetus pulls the back out of alignment, which can strain the muscles of the shoulders and neck to similar effect. Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, insomnia and stress are also contributing factors to headaches.
Backache
In their book "What to Expect When You're Expecting," Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel note that many pregnant women experience backache or leg cramps. These muscle aches can be quite similar to those commonly associated with the flu. Unfortunately, however, pregnant women don't have many of the over-the-counter remedies typically used to treat flu symptoms available to them. Stretching, gentle yoga and massage often help relieve muscle aches and are safe for the expectant mother.
Nausea
The classic pregnancy symptom, nausea or morning sickness, is also a common symptom of the flu. While most women will experience nausea or vomiting at some point during their pregnancy, say Murkoff and Mazel, some are so drastically sick--generally during the first trimester--that they're unable even to keep water down. Some physicians prescribe over-the-counter medication, while others may recommend vitamins. Many pregnant women find that small, frequent meals help keep nausea at bay, and ginger--as candy, tea or in baked goods--can help.
Fatigue
Dr. Miriam Stoppard explains in "Conception, Pregnancy and Birth" that fatigue plagues first- and third-trimester moms. Quite similar to the dragging feeling associated with the flu, fatigue may leave women unwilling or unable to get out of bed or off the couch for weeks on end. Early in pregnancy, this is due to the body adjusting to new hormone levels. Blood volume increases dramatically in the first months of pregnancy, but until it does, the heart works harder than usual, leaving the expectant mother feeling as though she's just run a marathon, even if she hasn't left the couch. In the third trimester, the constant strain of carrying a baby around fatigues her body. The treatment for fatigue during pregnancy is the same as that for flu-related fatigue--rest and lots of naps.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Headaches
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2008
- "Conception, Pregnancy and Birth"; Miriam Stoppard, M.D.; 2008
