Drinking Water Can Ease Pregnancy Aches

News provided by

Oct 12, 2012, 01:01 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Being comfortable during pregnancy can be challenging, especially since some medications could have an effect on an unborn child. But there is hope to manage the aches and pains of pregnancy.

Robert J. Seiler, DO, discussed how pregnant women can find pain relief without medications during the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) OMED 2012, the Osteopathic Medical Conference & Exposition in San Diego.

"Management of pain during pregnancy is challenging for several reasons," says Dr. Seiler, an AOA board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. "Most concerning are the potential effects of medications on the fetus. Also, pregnant women metabolize medications differently than other women do."

Dr. Seiler stresses women should speak with their physician to determine the best treatment plan to manage pain during pregnancy. When asked by his patients how to alleviate leg cramps, Dr. Seiler "prescribes" the same remedy: drink more water.

"Drinking more water is the answer to everything in pregnancy," Dr. Seiler says. "It might mean an extra trip to the bathroom but it will help."

In addition to drinking more water, women also can alleviate leg cramps by eating bananas and consuming more calcium either by drinking milk or taking antacids. Dr Seiler says not only will this help with the pain but it also will provide additional calcium for the baby.

Dr. Seiler suggests these additional tips for managing pain during pregnancy:

Take a dip in the pool. Being in the water helps float the baby bump and temporarily takes the weight off a mom-to-be.
Wear a prenatal cradle. The adjustable straps offer support to the back, torso and abdomen.

About the American Osteopathic Association

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 100,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

SOURCE American Osteopathic Association