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GAS/INDIGESTION:

• Avoid spicy or greasy foods

• Antacids low in sodium

  • Tums – as on package

  • Mylanta, Maalox, or Riopan – 1-2 teaspoons 30 minutes after meals and at bedtime
     

COLDS/CONGESTION:

• Rest – increase fluid intake

• Use a humidifier/vaporizer

• Warm cloth to sinuses

  • Actifed – Sudafed – 30 mg. by mouth 3 times a day

  • For allergies use Benadryl according to package
     

FEVER:

• Increase fluid intake

  • Tylenol – 2 tablets every 4 hours

  • Call if persists greater than 24 hours
     

HEADACHE:

• Rest in quiet, dark environment

  • Tylenol – 2 tablets every 4 hours, as needed, or Extra-Strength Tylenol
     

SORE THROAT:

• Gargle with hot salt water 4 times a day

• Rest – increase fluids

  • Chloraseptic  spray or lozenges
     

NAUSEA/VOMITING:

• Small, frequent carbohydrate feedings

• Increase fluids and protein

• Avoid caffeine and colas

  • Dramamine – 50 mg. 1 tablet every 6 hours, or

  • PeptoBismol – as on package, or

  • Emetrol Syrup – 1 tablespoon as needed
     

BACKACHE:

• Elevate feet – rest

• Pelvic tilt exercises

• Heating pad

  • May use Tylenol or Extra-Strength Tylenol, if severe
     

NOSEBLEEDS:

• More common in pregnancy

• Cold cloth to nose with pressure

• Vaseline to mucous membranes in edge of nose to decrease irritation

• Use a humidifier in your bedroom
   

SWELLING:

• Elevate feet or hands

• Increase water intake to 8-10 glasses per day

• Avoid increased salt intake

• Rest as much as possible on left side
   

DIARRHEA:

• Try to increase fluid intake even if no solid food is eaten

  • Donnagel, PeptoBismol, Imodium AD or Kaopectate, as on package
     

INSOMNIA:

• Warm, relaxing bath

• Use multiple pillows to find positions of comfort

  • Benadryl, according to package

• Expect to have to get up frequently to empty your bladder
   

VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION:

• Over-the-counter Monistat as the package directs is recommended
   

CONSTIPATION:

• 8-10 glasses of water per day

• Regular exercise i.e., walking, etc.

• Increase bran and fiber in food

• May add if needed and use according to package:

  • Colace 50 mg

  • Peri-Colace

  • Metamucil

  • Citrucel

  • Dialose – Plus
     

HEMORRHOIDS:

• Hot sitz baths – 3-4 times a day

• Avoid constipation

  • Anusol cream or suppositories 3 times a day, or

  • Tucks pads, or

  • Preparation H, as on package
     

COUGH:

• Robitussin (Plain or DH)  1 teaspoon every 4 hours
   

PAINTING:

• OK if performed in well ventilated area

• If fumes are nauseating, leave the house, room, etc.
   

TRAVEL:

• May travel up to 35-36 weeks if no complications

• You may need a note for airline so check when making reservations

• When traveling by car, stop every 60-90 minutes to walk around and empty bladder

• OK to pass through metal detector at airport
   

BREAST FEEDING CONCERNS:

• For the most part, medicines that are OK in pregnancy are OK in breast-feeding
   

OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS:

• Chickenpox & measles exposure—if you had chickenpox, you and your baby are protected

• If you are not sure that you had them or know that you did not have them, call our office for further information

• Hair coloring & permanents acceptable but may not take as well as in nonpregnancy

• We would recommend waiting until after the first trimester of your pregnancy
   

EXERCISE:

• Do not add any new exercise program

• Keep heart rate less than 140 beats per minute and at a maximum for only 20 minutes

• Modify aerobics from high to low impact

• Light weights workout is OK if currently doing them
   

DENTAL WORK:

• Maintain good dental hygiene

• Regular checkups

• Dental X-rays are OK with an abdominal shielding

• Antibiotics acceptable for prescription by your dentist for prophylaxis or infection:

  • Penicillin or Erythromycin;  No Tetracycline

• Fillings and other dental work are OK; Novocaine WITHOUT Epinephrine may be used for anesthetic during dental procedures