Learn about arthritis during pregnancy

Arthritis during pregnancy is a probable condition, although many have assumed it appears only in the elderly.

Pregnancy causes a woman's body to undergo a lot of physical changes, such as weight gain, increasing waist size to suit the development of the baby. These changes also affect the body's bones and joints, causing intense pain. This condition is called arthritis.

Quite a lot of opinions that arthritis occurs only in the elderly. On the other hand, while it's not so common, it can still manifest during pregnancy with some mild symptoms that get progressively worse as the baby begins to develop.

Causes of arthritis during pregnancy

Pregnancy does not lead to arthritis, but it is due to changes in the mother's body leading to certain forms of arthritis.

One of them is due to degeneration that takes place in joint cartilage and stretching of the body. During pregnancy, you gradually gain weight, putting a heavy load on the large joints such as the hips, knees and ankles. Over time, these factors can lead to arthritis during pregnancy.

Another form of arthritis that pregnant women sometimes experience is rheumatoid arthritis. This condition results from the body's immune response to the lining of the joints, leading to inflammation. If pregnant women have arthritis of this type, the pain will gradually decrease after you give birth.

Severe joint pain can also occur if the pregnant mother has an accident. Sudden physical changes in your body can cause a pregnant mother to fall during pregnancy or bump into objects. If these conditions affect the joints, pain begins to appear and worsen with limited movement during pregnancy. When not properly cared for, the injury turns into arthritis during pregnancy.

Signs of arthritis during pregnancy

Some signs to identify pregnant mothers are suffering from arthritis during pregnancy include:

Severe pain in the knee

Numbness and spasm in calf muscles

Feeling of difficulty walking

Exhaustion and fatigue can indicate the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. These symptoms also indicate that the immune system is fighting your body

Hydration in the body causes swelling of the limbs. It can also manifest as carpal tunnel syndrome, causing pain and tingling in the joints and especially fingers.

The risk of pregnant women may be faced with arthritis during pregnancy

Pregnant mothers with arthritis can cause a problem during pregnancy, such as:

Babies are born small or lighter than their friends

Your risk of gum disease is higher if you have rheumatoid arthritis

The presence of rheumatoid arthritis in pregnant women increases the risk of preeclampsia. This is a condition that requires special attention as it can be fatal.

Measures to support pregnant women with arthritis during pregnancy

The fact is that medication is always limited during pregnancy, but there are instances where you still need them to keep the condition under control. The drugs used will be prescribed by the doctor with the criteria that they do not pose a threat to the development of the fetus or inhibit pain somewhat.

However, there are some things you can try to help keep your condition from affecting your day, such as:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can relieve arthritis pain to a certain extent. However, please choose clean medical hygienic facilities as well as highly qualified doctors.

Apply hot / cold compresses

Though simple, hot and cold measures are also quite effective. You can try a warm bath at the end of the day. You can also apply warm or cold compresses to the sore areas.

Massage

The essential oil massage will make pregnant mothers relax a lot after a hard working day. Try massage the joints in combination with some essential oils, such as: Lemongrass essential oil, neroli essential oil, lavender essential oil, geranium essential oil ... Mild scent as well as therapeutic properties. can repel pain and make you feel better.

Supplement with omega-3

If you suffer from arthritis during pregnancy, pregnant mothers should increase supplements with foods rich in omega-3 such as salmon, milk, cereals or fish oil capsules ... they will help reduce inflammation and pain.

Wear comfortable shoes

Comfort shoes should be a priority for pregnant women if you are diagnosed with arthritis during pregnancy. A pair of good quality shoes or sandals will help pregnant mothers a lot in moving matters.

Try to exercise regularly to keep your joints and muscles healthy. Consult a doctor or health professional about correct postures to distribute weight evenly across the body and reduce any unwanted pressure on joints.

In addition, try not to stress yourself because psychology will also affect your condition somewhat.

Frequently asked questions

Some questions that pregnant women may ask about arthritis during pregnancy include:

Do babies inherit arthritis from their mother?

Arthritis does not necessarily pass from mother to child, although there are some signs that can cause arthritis as the baby grows up, the rate is not too high.

Does arthritis during pregnancy interfere with the delivery process?

The answer to this question is no. A good and sufficient posture will support you to have a favorable labor and delivery with the help of an obstetrician.