Incidence of minor ailments of pregnancy among antenatal mothers visiting the out-patient department of a secondary care centre

Abstract

In pregnancy, because of physiological, anatomical, biochemical and immunological changes, there are multiple minor ailments that affect the mother. Minor discomforts are reported by 50-80% of women in pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting, increased frequency of micturition and fatigue are commonly seen in early pregnancy. In the latter half of pregnancy, women have reported higher incidence of leg cramps, varicosities and pedal edema. Our study was undertaken to assess the incidence of various minor ailments in pregnancy. A total of 70 antenatal mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in the study after an informed consent and incidence of various ailments noted. Almost all of the women had nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. 77% reported leg cramps, 32% reported pica.