Pregnancy
Being pregnant while homeless can be scary and very difficult, so it’s important to know what to expect and what resources are available.
Access to healthcare
Have a pregnancy test done by a doctor. Over-the-counter tests are not always accurate. Several local organizations provide free pregnancy tests, free prenatal care throughout your pregnancy, and help you find housing. See our “Other Local Resources” section for information on local charities and organizations geared towards pregnant women.
Our favorite organizations:
Veronica’s Home of Mercy: Maternity housing just for pregnant women.
Planned parenthood: Free access to health care throughout your pregnancy and access to alternative options to pregnancy.
Pregnancy & Family Resource Center: Free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds and help connect you with local charities and housing.
Early signs of pregnancy:
Nausea, with or without vomiting
Breast pain or bigger breasts
Needing to pee more often than usual
Feeling more tired than usual
Cramping in the lower belly
What you might experience later in pregnancy and what you can do to help:
Heartburn:
This is a burning feeling in your chest or throat.
Lifestyle changes are the preferred way to treat heartburn during pregnancy
Don’t lay down flat for a couple of hours after eating.
Keep track of what food you’re eating. This might help you identify foods that make your heartburn worse. For example, tomato sauce or orange juice worsens heartburn in some women.
Eating almonds is a natural remedy that can help with heartburn symptoms.
If lifestyle changes aren’t cutting it, you can take certain over-the-counter antacids. Remember: If you find that you're having to use more and more medication to control your symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Try calcium carbonate (example Tums).
Look at the “active ingredients” listed on the back of the medication and avoid antacids that contain sodium bicarbonate or magnesium trisilicate.
Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements
Drink a lot of water.
If possible, start by adding more fiber to your diet. Foods high in fiber are apples, berries, prunes, beans, and green vegetables.
If drinking a lot of water and adding more fiber to your diet isn’t cutting it, here are a couple of over-the-counter medications that are safe during pregnancy: Psyllium (Metamucil), polycarbophil (FiberCon), and methylcellulose (Citrucel).
Avoid castor oil (it can stimulate uterine contractions) and mineral oils (it can cause poor absorption of vitamins).
Hemorrhoids: These are painful swollen veins in the rectum that often bleed when going to the bathroom
Constipation will make these worse so making sure your bowel movements are smooth is very important.
Speak with your doctor about additional therapies if taking care of your constipation isn’t cutting it.
Stuffy nose and nosebleeds
Avoid things that make your stuffy nose feel worse, such as pollen or animals.
Over-the-counter medications that are typically safe in pregnancy are cetirizine 10 mg daily and loratadine 10 mg daily. You can also try a nasal spray, such as fluticasone (Flonase) for severe symptoms. Consider speaking with your doctor before starting these.
Feeling short of breath
Feeling short of breath or winded during pregnancy is normal, especially as you get farther along in your pregnancy, however, if you have sudden onset shortness of breath, chest pain, or worsening swelling of your feet or ankles, speak to your doctor immediately or visit the emergency room.
Low back pain or leg cramps
Stretching, hot baths or showers, regular exercise, and drinking a lot of water can help with these symptoms.
Headaches and trouble sleeping
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally safe during pregnancy. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen.
Headaches can be a sign of high blood pressure so in general, you should speak with your doctors if your headaches do not quickly resolve with acetaminophen.
Most of the medications we use for trouble sleeping as not recommended during pregnancy so speak to your doctor to explore all your options.
Mild swelling in your feet or ankles
Some swelling is normal during pregnancy, especially at the end of the day. Elevating your feet whenever possible can help with this. If the swelling continues to worsen or you are also having headaches, see your doctor as soon as possible as this could be a sign of something more serious.
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Often called “false" labor because it feels like you are about to have your baby, causing belly pain, but it is actually your body’s way of getting ready to give birth. If you start to have contractions and are unsure if it might be “false” labor GO TO THE DOCTOR. No one will ever be upset with you for going to the hospital if you really think something might be wrong.
Signs that something might be wrong - Never hesitate to go to the hospital:
Any vaginal bleeding or fluid leaks.
You don't feel your baby move around as much as usual.
Worsening back or belly pain.
Feeling dizzy or like you might pass out.
Headaches that don’t get better with rest.
Spots or flashing lights in your vision.
Fever, pain when you pee, or blood in your urine.
Contractions or belly pain that slowly becomes stronger and comes more often - this might mean that you are in active labor and the baby is coming.
Last updated