Listed below are some common problems that can occur
during your pregnancy along with several simple “self help” suggestions. If you have any questions, please call the
office during regular business hours.
All medications should be taken as
directed on the bottle per manufacturer’s instructions.
BACKACHE
Heating pad, regular or extra strength Tylenol, rest,
relaxation and warm (not hot) baths. Use
correct posture and try to avoid heavy lifting.
Sleep on a firm bed. Wear shoes with a low heel.
COLDS, FLU &
MINOR ACHES & PAINS
Regular or extra strength Tylenol, Benadryl and
Chlortrimeton. Tylenol Cold, Tylenol
Sinus, plain Sudafed, or any other medications containing phynylephrine or pseudoephedrine
should not be taken before 14 weeks.
CONSTIPATION
Citrucel, Metamucil, Colace,
Increase your intake of fruits, juices, bran and especially water (8
glasses above normal intake).
COUGH
Robitussin plain; call your family doctor
if the cough persists for more than a week.
DIARRHEA
Immodium AD. Stick to
a clear liquid diet like bouillon, Jell-O, 7-UP, Gatorade, etc. for 48
hours. If diarrhea persists, call your
family doctor.
DIZZINESS,
FAINTING & LIGHTHEADEDNESS
Lie down on your left side with your feet elevated. Avoid sudden changes in your posture. After lying down, try getting up slowly,
rolling from side to side then pushing to a sitting position. You may also feel dizzy if your blood sugar
level is low or you are dehydrated. Try
small frequent protein snacks and lots of fluids. If the problem persists, call our office.
GROIN PAIN
Regular or extra strength Tylenol. Round ligament pain is sharp, sudden pain in
the groin area caused by the uterus growing to accommodate the baby. Move carefully and avoid sudden
movements. Turn over carefully when you
are in bed or getting up. Get off your
feet.
HEADACHE
Regular or extra strength Tylenol. If you have no relief or experience visual
disturbances, call the office.
HEMORRHOIDS
Preparation H, Anusol Cream or suppositories. Avoid constipation by increasing the amount
of fluids and fiber in your diet. Cleaning
the rectal area with Tucks pads or sitting in a soothing tub or warm water (not
hot) may help as well.
INDIGESTION &
HEARTBURN
Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, Rolaids, Pepcid. Avoid spicy foods. Eat smaller and more frequent meals. Drink milk before bedtime. Avoid lying down directly after you eat. Elevate head of bed 3-6” on books or blocks.
LEG CRAMPS
Regular strength Tylenol.
Wear support panty hose and low heeled shoes. Elevating your feet and taking warm baths may
help. Be sure your calcium and fluid
intake are adequate. Leg stretches and
exercise help also.
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
You may continue as long as you feel comfortable, unless you
have spotting or your bag of waters has ruptured.
NAUSEA
Try eating something dry upon awakening such as toast or
crackers. Instead of eating three large
meals, try eating six smaller meals spaced evenly throughout the day. Eat your meals dry and wait 45 minutes before
drinking fluids. If you feel that your
nausea is getting worse, try taking one Unisom tablet with one tablet of
vitamin B6 (50 milligrams) twice daily for two days. If there is no improvement, this can be
increased to three times a day for 2-3 days.
You may even increase to four times a day if needed. You may remain on this indefinitely. Emetrol can be helpful. If you feel your nausea is out of control,
call the office.
SINUS HEADACHE
Sudafed after 14 weeks, Actifed, regular or extra strength
Tylenol or Chlortrimeton. Tylenol Cold,
Tylenol Sinus, and humidifying your home or bedroom can help as well. Increase your fluid intake. Call your family doctor
if there is a change in the color of your nasal drainage or if you have a fever
of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or over.
SORE THROAT
Chloraseptic spray or lozenges, warm salt gargles as
needed. Increase your fluid intake.
SPOTTING
Rest. Increase fluid
intake and call the office. Avoid
intercourse, tampons and douching. If cramping
or bleeding become worse, call the office immediately.
SWELLING
Sometimes referred to as edema, this is a problem that most
pregnant women have at some time in their pregnancy. Try wearing support panty hose, elevating
your feet when possible and lying on your left side. Don’t wear your rings if your hands are
swollen. Drink more fluids – especially
water. If the swelling is severe,
especially when associated with a headache, call the office.
FEVER
Regular or extra strength Tylenol. Increase your fluid intake. Call the office with any fever greater than
101 degrees Fahrenheit. If elevated
temperature is due to an upper respiratory infection/sinus infection, call your
family doctor.
VAGINAL DISCHARGE
You will normally have more discharge when you are
pregnant. If signs and symptoms of
infection such as itching or foul odor occur, call the office. Do not douche.
VARICOSE VEINS
Elevate your feet as often as possible and wear support
panty hose. These may go away after
pregnancy. Avoid knee high hose.