Frequently Asked Questions

Nausea and vomiting is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms, affecting up to 80% of pregnant women. Despite being called "morning sickness," it can strike at any time of day or night, and for some women it persists throughout the day entirely.

When does it start and end? Nausea typically begins around 6 weeks and for most women improves significantly by 12–14 weeks. For some, it lingers into the second trimester.

What helps?

• Small, frequent meals rather than large ones

• Cold or room temperature foods which tend to be better tolerated than hot meals

• Ginger in tea, biscuits, or supplements

• Protein-rich snacks such as crackers with peanut butter or cheese

• Staying hydrated with small, frequent sips rather than large amounts at once

• Rest when you can, fatigue makes nausea significantly worse

When to contact us: If you're unable to keep food or fluids down, losing weight, or feeling dizzy and weak, please contact the team promptly. Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum and is a medical condition that requires treatment. There are safe and effective medications available.

Mild cramping and discomfort in the first trimester is very common and often causes significant anxiety particularly for patients who have experienced pregnancy loss. In most cases, early pregnancy cramping is completely normal and caused by your uterus stretching and growing, implantation, increased blood flow to the pelvic area, and ligament changes.

What helps?

• Rest when discomfort is present

• A warm (not hot) heat pack on the lower abdomen

• Paracetamol (Panadol) is safe for pain relief in pregnancy if needed

• Gentle movement rather than vigorous exercise during uncomfortable periods

When to contact us: Please contact the team if you experience cramping that is severe or getting progressively worse, cramping accompanied by heavy bleeding, or one-sided pain. When in doubt, always reach out.

Constipation is very common in pregnancy and often one of the least talked about symptoms. Progesterone slows digestion to allow more nutrients to be absorbed, and iron supplements can make it worse.

What helps?

• Eat a high-fibre diet (fresh fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, dried fruit),

• Drink plenty of water

• Take a fibre supplement such as psyllium if dietary changes aren’t enough

• Exercise regularly

Heartburn is extremely common and affects the majority of pregnant women, particularly in the second and third trimesters. That burning sensation in your chest or throat is caused by stomach acid rising into the oesophagus, and pregnancy makes it worse for two reasons: the hormone progesterone relaxes the valve between your stomach and oesophagus, and your growing uterus puts upward pressure on your stomach.

What helps?

• Eating smaller, more frequent meals

• Avoiding lying down immediately after eating

• Sleeping with your head slightly elevated

• Avoiding spicy, fatty, or acidic foods and caffeine

• Cold milk or yoghurt can provide temporary relief

• Antacids such as Gaviscon or Mylanta are generally safe in pregnancy

Haemorrhoids are more common in pregnancy than most people realise, and far more patients experience them than ever mention it at appointments. They are swollen veins in and around the rectum and anus, and can cause itching, discomfort, and occasionally bleeding, particularly after a bowel movement. They tend to appear or worsen in the third trimester and after birth.

Why does it happen? The growing uterus puts increased pressure on the veins of the lower body, reducing blood flow and causing veins in the rectal area to swell. Constipation and straining during bowel movements, both very common in pregnancy, significantly worsen haemorrhoids.

What helps?

• Keeping stools soft through adequate hydration and a high fibre diet

• Avoiding straining during bowel movements

• Cold packs or ice wrapped in a cloth applied to the area for relief

• Warm sitz baths to soothe discomfort

• Over the counter topical creams such as Anusol or Preparation H which are considered safe in pregnancy

• Avoiding prolonged sitting, particularly on the toilet

When to contact us: Please mention haemorrhoids at your next appointment if they are causing significant discomfort or if you notice rectal bleeding. While bleeding is usually related to haemorrhoids in pregnancy, it should always be assessed to rule out other causes.

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common and frustrating symptoms of pregnancy, affecting women across all three trimesters. In the first trimester it's often driven by nausea, frequent urination, and anxiety. In the third trimester, physical discomfort, restless legs, and an active baby can make a full night's sleep feel impossible.

What helps?

• A consistent bedtime routine to signal to your body that it's time to wind down

• A pregnancy pillow to support your bump, hips, and back

• Sleeping on your left side from mid-pregnancy to optimise blood flow

• Gentle stretching or relaxation exercises before bed

• Avoiding large meals and fluids close to bedtime to reduce reflux and toilet trips

When to contact us: If insomnia is significantly affecting your mental health or daily functioning, please raise it at your next appointment. We can discuss safe strategies and refer you for additional support if needed.

Back pain is extremely common during pregnancy, affecting more than half of all pregnant women at some stage. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a related condition involving pain in the pelvic joints and is also very common, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

Why does it happen? As your baby grows, your centre of gravity shifts and your posture changes to compensate. The hormone relaxin also loosens your joints and ligaments in preparation for birth, which can reduce pelvic stability and contribute to pain.

What helps?

• Regular gentle movement such as walking and swimming

• Supportive footwear and avoiding prolonged standing or sitting

• A pregnancy support belt for pelvic girdle pain

• Heat packs on the lower back for short term relief

Seeing a women's health physiotherapist early is one of the most effective interventions for both back pain and PGP. As a patient of Dr Renee, you'll have exclusive access to the Thrive in Pregnancy physiotherapy class with Health 4 Women in your second trimester — a proactive, expert-led session designed to help you understand, manage, and minimise these issues before they become a problem.

Leg cramps are very common during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters. They most often occur at night and can range from mildly uncomfortable to surprisingly painful, frequently disrupting sleep. The calf is the most common site, though cramps can also affect the feet and thighs.

What helps?

• Gentle calf stretches before bed

• Staying well hydrated

• Massaging the affected area, flexing your toes, and using a heat pack

• Considering a daily magnesium supplement

Fetal hiccups are completely normal and actually a reassuring sign of healthy development.

They feel like small, rhythmic, repetitive movements quite different from your baby's regular kicks and rolls, often described as a gentle pulsing or tapping sensation from within.

Why does it happen? As your baby practises breathing movements in preparation for life outside the womb, amniotic fluid moves in and out of their lungs, triggering the hiccup reflex. They are most commonly felt from around 24 weeks and tend to become more noticeable in the third trimester. Most women find them quite endearing once they know what they are.

Braxton Hicks contractions are completely normal and are often described as your uterus "practising" for labour. They feel like a tightening or squeezing sensation across the abdomen that comes and goes, and are generally painless, irregular, and short-lived. Most women notice them from around 20 weeks, though they can occur earlier in subsequent pregnancies.

What helps?

• Changing position or activity — if you've been active, rest; if you've been sitting, try a gentle walk

• Staying well hydrated, as dehydration is a common trigger

• Emptying your bladder

• Warm baths or a heat pack on the abdomen for comfort

When to contact us: Braxton Hicks are irregular and typically fade with rest and hydration. Contact the team if contractions become regular, increase in intensity, are accompanied by lower back pain, vaginal bleeding, or fluid loss, or if you're less than 37 weeks and concerned.

An increase in vaginal discharge is one of the earliest and most common signs of pregnancy. Normal pregnancy discharge is typically clear to white, mild smelling, and increases as pregnancy progresses. It is caused by increased oestrogen and greater blood flow to the vaginal area.

What helps?

• Wearing breathable cotton underwear

• Avoiding scented soaps, washes, or douches in the vaginal area

• Panty liners if needed for comfort

When to contact us: Contact the team if your discharge becomes yellow, green, or grey, develops a strong or unusual odour, is accompanied by itching or burning, or if you experience a sudden gush or steady trickle of fluid which may indicate your waters have broken.

Stretch marks are a completely normal part of pregnancy and a sign of the remarkable thing your body is doing. They typically appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs as the skin stretches rapidly to accommodate your growing baby.

Why do they happen? Stretch marks occur when the middle layer of skin stretches faster than it can regenerate. Genetics play a significant role — if your mother had stretch marks during pregnancy, you are more likely to as well.

What helps? While no product has been clinically proven to prevent stretch marks entirely, keeping skin well moisturised may improve its elasticity and reduce severity. Oils and creams containing ingredients such as vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and centella asiatica are popular choices. Staying well hydrated and maintaining a gradual, steady weight gain also supports skin health.