Peptic ulcer in pregnancy

Peptic ulcers could be gastric or duodenal. If one does not have a pre-existing peptic ulcer, it is extremely unlikely that this condition will develop for the first time in pregnancy. Moreover, peptic ulcer patients almost always experience improvement in their symptoms in pregnancy. Having said all that, perforation of a peptic ulcer has been known to occur during pregnancy.

Backache in pregnancy

Backache after the midway stage of the pregnancy becomes increasingly common. The not-so-good news is that it tends to worsen as the pregnancy advances and it responds poorly to the common painkillers based on paracetamol (acetaminophen) and/or codeine. The good news is that there is almost always nothing wrong with the pregnancy and the backache tends to clear up soon after delivery.

The chief cause of backache is usually strains to the spine by the increasingly heavy uterus. Poor posture, physical exertion and wrong sleeping positions could worsen backache. The attending midwife or doctor should be able to advise on this.

It is, in addition, important to remember that pathological conditions such as kidney infection could cause symptoms of backache, although there are almost always other symptoms. If left untreated, kidney infection (pyelonephritis) worsens rapidly.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (Diastasis Symphysis Pubis)

Symphysis pubis dysfunction is a condition unique to pregnancy. It is one of the causes of intractable and progressive pain in pregnancy. It usually starts in the second half of pregnancy, rarely before 28 weeks.

The pain is felt around the pubic area and the side joints of the pelvis. Movements and especially rolling from side to side in bed exacerbate the pain. Climbing stairs can be torture.

The cause is partial separation of the joints under the influence of pregnancy hormones, especially progesterone.

The truth is, painkillers hardly touch this pain but a special brace worn around the pelvis to stabilize the joints may help control the exacerbation caused by movements. It is not the most comfortable of devices. The pain subsides soon after delivery and clears up completely within a few weeks of delivery. Persistent pain is virtually unknown but recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy is common.

The condition goes by the terms ‘symphisis pubis dysfunction’ or diastasis symphysis pubis also abbreviated as SPD or DSP respectively.

Painkillers to use in pregnancy

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) usually suffices for most types of pain in pregnancy and is perfectly safe for the baby. If a stronger painkiller is required, then most obstetricians will recommend preparations based on a combination of paracetamol and codeine (or dihydrocodeine). There are several such preparations. The most common side-effect of these is constipation.

The taking of painkillers is dealt with in greater detail in the section: ‘Taking medicines in pregnancy’.

Peptic ulcer in pregnancy

Backache in pregnancy

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (Diastasis Symphysis Pubis)

Painkillers to use in pregnancy

Backache is very common in pregnancy and in most cases exercise and paracetamol (acetaminophen) are sufficient