Aches and pains in the first trimester

• Sore breasts & nipples
  Having sore breasts is a common pregnancy symptom, often gelt as early as the first couple of weeks of pregnancy. At first your breasts may simply feel sore or heavy, or they may tingle. Later you may also find that your breasts, especially the nipples, become far more sensitive than usual and your normal underwear may irritate you. If so, you will probably find that moving to natural fabrics, such as cotton will help (as manmade fabrics are more likely to cause irritation). Your nipples may also cause you a little pain if they become quite cold, and they may take some time to warm up again, again this is because they are simply more sensitive than usual.

• Period-like cramping
  Mild stomach cramps in early pregnancy are very common, though they are usually milder than period cramps, it may feel as though there is a slight tugging or pulling in your abdomen. Cramping is caused by your uterus beginning to stretch, and is usually nothing at all to worry about, however, if you have severe cramps, particularly on one side of your abdomen, or any bleeding accompanying the cramps, then you should talk to your doctor about it right away.

• Indigestion, wind and bloating
  Wind might be the source of much comedy for some, but for pregnant women it can be no joke. From the earliest days of pregnancy your digestive system is affected and you may notice that you produce far more wind than usual, which can be uncomfortable and even painful at times, particularly if the wind is trapped. Many pregnant women find that their sleep is also disturbed by uncomfortable wind.

  Excessive wind occurs because digestion slows down during pregnancy, giving bacteria more chance to work on undigested food in the gut and produce wind. For the same reasons you might worry that you're starting to show in the first couple of months as you suffer from a bloated stomach.

  If you're affected then try and look at what you're eating, as there are some common triggers for wind, particularly refined carbohydrates, onions and pulses. Try adjusting your clothes when you're windy or bloated, as tight clothes will put uncomfortable pressure on your stomach. Also have a read up of this article for plenty of ideas for helping to get your digestion system working more effectively and so avoid excess wind and bloating.

• Constipation and piles
  Another common affect of pregnancy on your digestive system is constipation, unpleasant at the best of times. Constipation can also cause or aggravate haemorrhoids, or piles - abnormally swollen veins in your anus or essentially varicose veins in your bottom - another frequent pregnancy nuisance.

  You can do a lot to deal with, or avoid, constipation with your diet. Simple ways are increasing the amount of fibre and fluids you consume, while steering clear of caffeine. Wheat bran is great for stimulating the intestines, so it's a good one to include with breakfast. Drinking orange juice during the day can also help, but you want to be careful not to overdo it as it's also very acidic and can cause acid indigestion. Sipping a cup of warm water, warm water with lemon, peppermint tea or fennel tea can all help pep up your digestion, and it's a particularly good idea to drink some warm water with lemon about 20 minutes before breakfast to kick-start your system in the morning. Daily exercise will also help move things along, even just a simple walk around the block. When you are constipated, try to avoid straining on the loo, relax and wait - try taking in a good read to make the time pass more pleasantly. You can find out more about pregnancy constipation and more about coping with haemorrhoids in these articles.

• Diarrhoea
  Hormonal changes may at times have the opposite affect on your bowels, as they, along with pressure put on the bowels from the womb, lead to diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can also be caused by an infection, so if it's making you feel very unwell, or it persists for a few days then it's a good idea to see your doctor about it.

• Blocked nose and ears
  Another affect of pregnancy hormones is swelling in your nasal and oral passages, which can lead to them becoming blocked more easily. Steam inhalation is one of the best solutions for a blocked nose, and you can help prevent the problem by keeping the air of your home moist, by drying laundry indoors, keeping bowls of water on the radiators and so on. If you're suffering badly and want to take medication then speak to your GP first, but you can get nasal sprays and decongestants that are safe to take during pregnancy.

• Backache
  Very common by the third trimester, backache can also affect your first three months of pregnancy, particularly if this isn't your first baby. In the first couple of weeks of pregnancy you may experience an aching back, similar to that which frequently accompanies menstruation. After this the weight of your growing uterus can put pressure on your lower back, causing backache. If this is your second baby you are more likely to get backache in your first trimester because your abdominal muscles - already weakened in your last pregnancy - are likely to be more flexible this time around. Your abdominals usually offer key support to many movements and when they can't work as hard it means extra work for your lower back.

  If you usually calm backache with a relaxing bath then make sure that you don't run one that's too hot, your skin shouldn't tun red when you get in. Find out more about taking medicines during pregnancy here.

• Headaches
  Many women aren't affected by pregnancy headaches at all, but some women do suffer from more frequent headaches and some may even experience migraines for the first time when pregnant. Headaches relating to pregnancy happen because during pregnancy the volume of blood pumped around your body increases significantly, and this extra blood can put pressure on the brain, causing headaches. If you are suffering from migraines then be sure to check with your doctor which medications are safe to take during pregnancy. If you have a simple headache then you may be able to cope without medication and/ or sleep the headache off. If you feel you do need to take something then the occasional paracetemol is considered safe throughout pregnancy, however, if you can avoid taking medication then all the better, particularly in the first trimester.

• Aching limbs
  General aches and pains are quite common during early pregnancy, not least because early pregnancy is so physically draining and many women feel completely exhausted and may be having trouble sleeping.

Whatever aches and pains you have in early pregnancy, remember that you're better off avoiding medication in these critical first twelve weeks if you can, and try to clear the pain with non-medicinal treatments, such as simple rest and relaxation. When you do feel that you need to reach for something stronger to get through the day, or night, then remember that not all medicines are safe to use during pregnancy. Paracetemol is the best pain-relief choice for pregnant women, but that shouldn't be taken too often either. There are other suggestions for dealing with common discomforts here, but you are often best consulting your doctor about your particular circumstances.

If you haven't experienced all or any of these common pregnancy aches and pains then don't worry that something is wrong, plenty of women sail through early pregnancy feeling great, just enjoy having an easy time of it.