Carla is 36 weeks pregnant with her first child. She is in the office for her regular prenatal checkup. During this visit she complains of increasing heartburn, low back pain, constipation, and difficulty sleeping at night. Carla would like to know what she can do to get relief from these symptoms.

Answer with Explanation:

In order to be relieved from heartburn, Carla should stay away from eating fatty foods and spicy foods. Such foods can trigger heartburn.

She should also do physical activities like walking or yoga. This can relieve low back pain and also the heartburn.

To relieve herself from constipation, she must eat high-fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits. Drinking fluids will also lessen the constipation.

Carla should avoid drinking stimulants before bedtime. She should also avoid eating heavy meals and drinking too much fluid before sleeping because this will lead to frequent trips to the bathroom. She can also prop up her pillows so she can breathe well. She's already on her third trimester, which means her uterus is getting bigger and bigger.