Uncommon pregnancy problems

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Spider nevi
Now let's talk about another skin change that may be calling you grief -- so-called spider nevi or spider veins. Hormonal changes and your increased blood volume may cause these spider nevi to pop out on your face or in the whites of your eyes if you push too intensely during delivery. These lines tend to become less prominent after delivery. If they don't fade to your satisfaction, you might want to talk to a dermatologist about having them removed.

Pyogenic granulomas
Don't be alarmed if you happen to notice tiny nodules on your gums when you're brushing your teeth one morning. These nodules -- known as pyogenic granulomas (pregnancy tumours) -- are harmless, noncancerous growths that can occur during pregnancy. They tend to disappear on their own after you give birth, but if they're causing you a lot of grief, you might want to ask your doctor to remove them sooner rather than later.

Eye changes
This one seems too far-fetched to be real, but I assure you that it's legit. Fluid retention during pregnancy changes the shape of your eyeballs, leading to increased nearsightedness. At the same time, rising levels of estrogen can lead to a condition called dry eye, which is characterized by dryness and burning, blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light. Like many pregnancy complaints, your eye woes will correct themselves after you give birth. (Note: Since vision problems can also be a symptom of diabetes, this is one problem you'll definitely want to report to your doctor or midwife as soon as possible.)

Carpal tunnel syndrome
You might not think to blame your pregnant state for the numbness or tingling in your hands, but chances are, that's just what to blame. Carpal tunnel syndrome is relatively common during pregnancy and results from a pinched nerve in the wrist. In most cases, the problem disappears after you give birth, but some women will require surgery to correct the problem. In the meantime, you can keep yourself comfortable by elevating the affected hand or wearing a plastic splint at night.

Hip soreness
Find yourself waking up in the middle of night with aching hips? You've got something else to blame on those crazy pregnancy hormones! Hormonal changes cause the ligaments in your hips to stretch and the cartilage to soften, something that can lead to soreness when you're sleeping on your side at night. They're also responsible for that classic pregnancy "waddle."

Given the smorgasbord of pregnancy-related aches and pains that will be available to you during the next nine months, why settle for something so painfully ordinary as morning sickness? After all, the more exotic your complaint, the better your prenatal class bragging rights!

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