As pregnancy progresses, women have to work harder to breathe because the enlarging uterus crowds the diaphragm (the large muscle separating the chest and abdomen).
During pregnancy, there is increased water retention due to hormones, the weight of the enlarging uterus including amniotic fluid, placenta and the growing fetus.
But as your pregnancy progresses, the enlarging uterus should "pull" the placenta toward the top of your uterus.
Pressure from your enlarging uterus on your bladder might cause you to leak urine when sneezing, coughing or laughing. To help prevent urinary tract infections, urinate whenever you feel the urge.
This occurs because pregnancy hormones cause the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach to relax, and also because the enlarging uterus puts pressure on the stomach and pushes acid into the esophagus.
The enlarging uterus puts pressure on the major veins of the pelvis slowing the blood flow through them and causing back pressure on the other veins such as those of the leg. This is also the reason that hemorrhoids sometimes occur during pregnancy.
You may need to urinate more often as your enlarging uterus presses on your bladder during the first few months of pregnancy. The same pressure may cause you to leak urine when sneezing, coughing or laughing.
Sciatica: A painful condition characterized by pain in lower back, buttocks, and leg. In pregnant women, it is often caused by pressure of the enlarging uterus on the sciatic nerve. Rest, CAM, or a heating pad may ease the pain.
Heartburn, indigestion and the need to urinate frequently are more likely as the enlarging uterus presses on other organs. Back pain is common because of the extra load combined with the ligament-relaxing effects of pregnancy hormones.
It is very common to experience hemorrhoids or worsening of hemorrhoids during pregnancy due to increased blood flow to the uterus and slowed venous drainage from the pelvic region due to the enlarging uterus.
This slows down the flow of urine from your kidneys to your bladder. Your enlarging uterus (womb) has the same effect. This is an ideal opportunity for bacteria because they have more time to grow before they're flushed out.
In addition, many newly pregnant women feel an increased need to urinate frequently. "About 10 to 20 percent of pregnant women complain of increased frequency of urinary urge," she says. "This is due in part to the enlarging uterus pressing on the ...
 See also: Pregnancy, Uterus, Pregnant, During pregnancy, Hormone
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