Constipation can occur from quite early on in pregnancy. Drink plenty of water, you will need between 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid per day.
Ensure you’re getting lots of fruit, vegetables and fibre in your diet.
When sitting on the toilet to empty your bowels, it is helpful to have your feet on a stool so your knees are higher than you hips and to lean forwards. This often makes emptying your bowels easier.
Consult your pharmacist for advice if the problem persists. 
Swelling in these areas often occurs because the body holds more water whilst pregnant. Avoid standing for long periods, rotate your ankles regularly and elevate your feet when seated if possible.
Sudden and severe swelling isn’t normal and you should call your maternity unit if you notice this.
Indigestion/heartburn is caused by hormonal changes, and the womb pressing on your stomach as your baby grows. There are plenty of home remedies you can try. Milk and/or antacids can help ease symptoms.
If indigestion remedies don’t work and/or you have other symptoms, read the Heart health in pregnancy section and talk to your midwife or GP
Headaches may increase due to hormonal changes. Drink plenty of water, rest and take paracetamol (1g) if required.
Contact your midwife/doctor if you experience severe headaches (with/without problems with vision) that do not resolve with hydration, rest and paracetamol.
It is common to feel faint or lightheaded in pregnancy and this is often caused by standing up too quickly or lying flat on your back. Always stand up gently and when lying down try to stay on your side, particularly after 28 weeks gestation.
Keeping well hydrated can reduce feeling faint.
If symptoms persist, talk to your midwife or doctor. 
Incontinence can affect women during and immediately after pregnancy, due to the effect of hormones on the pelvic floor, and the pressure from the growing baby. Women may leak a small amount of urine when coughing, laughing, sneezing or moving suddenly.
Should this happen, the first thing to do is to start your pelvic floor exercises daily. It is also helpful to contract your pelvic floor just before you cough, sneeze, lift, laugh or do an activity that causes a leak.
Should the symptoms persist during pregnancy or more than six weeks after the pregnancy, ask your GP to refer you for specialist support. It is recommended that all women strengthen their pelvic floor during pregnancy to prevent and/or treat incontinence.
These are more common in pregnancy. You should look out for the signs and symptoms, and contact your GP or midwife urgently if you think you could have an infection. Symptoms include pain on passing urine, passing small amounts of urine more often than usual, or urine that is cloudy and strange smelling. Drinking plenty of water in pregnancy can help reduce the occurrence of UTIs.
Nausea and/or vomiting is very common, particularly in the first 12-16 weeks of pregnancy. Often known as morning sickness, this can be misleading, as it can occur at any time of day. It can help to have a snack before getting out of bed and eating small, regular meals throughout the day. Check out the related links below to read about the many other things you can try.
Sometimes nausea and vomiting can be severe and debilitating, this is known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and may require treatment with anti-sickness medications and/or admission to hospital for treatment.
It is advised not to brush your teeth immediately after vomiting, but rather to use a mouthwash containing fluoride (0.05%) no more than once a day. If vomiting is occurring regularly in the day, rinsing immediately with water is advised. This will help prevent tooth wear caused by acidic products from the stomach entering the mouth.
If you are travelling to countries that require specific vaccinations please speak to your practice nurse. Some vaccines that use live bacteria or viruses are not recommended during pregnancy because of concerns they could harm the baby in the womb. Inactivated vaccines are safe in pregnancy.
