Massaging your legs will assist the blood flow, keep cramping to a minimum, and help with swelling. Give yourself a rubdown, ask your partner for a hand, or schedule an appointment with a masseuse trained in prenatal massage.

DIZZINESS

What it is: There are many causes of occasional lightheadedness and dizziness during pregnancy. One of them is low blood pressure.

What to do: Rather than jumping quickly to your feet from a sitting or lying down position, take your time and rise slowly. When you’re lying down at night, favor your left side as much as possible; lying on your back or right side can further compress the vena cava that carries blood from your lower half back to your heart.

NOTE: If you are experiencing more than the occasional dizzy spell, or if you faint, contact your doctor immediately.

EXHAUSTION

What it is: Low blood pressure, anemia and hormonal changes can leave a mom-to-be feeling pretty pooped out a lot of the time.

What to do: While there’s not much you can do about your hormones or the low blood pressure that comes with early pregnancy, making sure you get sufficient amounts of rest will help. Eating an ironrich diet (or taking iron in your prenatal vitamin) will keep your red blood cell count up and often take care of pregnancyinduced anemia. Of course, healthy eating and exercise will boost your energy, during pregnancy and anytime.

Cause for concern

These blood-related maladies can threaten your health and your baby. Do what you can to avoid them, but if they do strike— and sometimes there is nothing you can do to avoid that—work with your doctor to keep them in check.

HYPERTENSION (GESTATIONAL OR CHRONIC)

What it is: High blood pressure. Gestational hypertension is induced by pregnancy, chronic hypertension is not. Either variety carries the risk of hindering baby’s growth or causing placental abruption, premature birth or stillbirth.

What to do: The higher your blood pressure, the greater the risk involved. Stay in close contact with your OB or perinatologist— she will watch your condition closely and prescribe baby-safe medication if needed. At home, you can control your blood pressure somewhat by keeping a healthy diet including very little sodium; if you haven’t already given up alcohol and cigarettes, do so at once!

PREECLAMPSIA

What it is: If your doctor finds that you have high blood pressure along with protein in your urine later in pregnancy, you’ll be diagnosed with preeclampsia. This is a very serious condition that restricts your blood flow, potentially harming your organs and limiting your baby’s growth.

What to do: Listen to your doctor. Depending upon the seriousness of your condition, you might be hospitalized or put on bed rest, and you may need to deliver your baby early. Don’t blame yourself for your illness—in most cases, preeclampsia is not preventable. Instead, keep calm and focus on doing what you can to keep yourself and your baby stable.

BLOOD CLOTS

What they are: When clots travel to the lungs, they can be fatal, and blood clots in the placenta are a threat to your baby; however, if you experience clotting in your legs or pelvis, it may be treated before it can cause any harm.

What to do: Do your best to prevent blood clots by staying active with mild exercise, and make sure to take walking breaks during air travel, road trips and long days at the office. If you experience persistent pain, redness or tenderness in your leg, you may have developed a clot —talk to your doctor right away so she can diagnose and treat it. Pregnancy-safe anticoagulants are commonly prescribed for clots. [Healthy Living Solution]

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