TIPS FOR COMMON DISCOMFORTS DURING PREGNANCY
**This tip sheet should be referred to throughout your pregnancy and continued while breast-feeding. Please consult with our office if you have any questions**
BREAST FEEDING: Wear a snug bra. You may apply ice packs to you breasts as tolerated. You may also take Tylenol for pain.
NAUSEA AND VOMITING: Emetrol, saltine crackers, popsicles, Jell-O, and clear liquids. Try to advance, as tolerated, soups and broth then increase to regular diet. Also, remember to try small frequent sips of liquids rather than large amounts all at one time. If tolerated, you may also try sports drinks, i.e. Gatorade, Powerade, as this will help replenish electrolytes and help prevent dehydration. If you have vomiting for more than 24 hours and you develop a fever, contact our office.
HEADACHES & PAIN: Use regular or extra strength Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and a heating pad. **If headaches are associated with blurred vision, spots before your eyes, swelling of the hands, face or feet call our office.
NOSE BLEEDS: Pinch nose, apply firm pressure and hold for 5-10 minutes. Place an ice pack to the back of the neck. If heavy persistent bleeding continues after following the proper measures for 20 minutes, go to the closest emergency room.
DIZZINESS: Gradually stand up from any sitting or lying positions. Do not skip meals, eat regular meals and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot showers. If you have access to blood pressure cuff check B/P. If blood pressure is elevated or you become dizzy more than twice in one week, call our office.
NASAL CONGESTION: Increase fluid intake, use a vaporizer, use normal saline nasal spray 2-3 times a day, use a vapor rub under nose or on chest. You may also use Claritin D or generic equivalent.
COLDS & SINUS: Increase fluids, SAFE MEDS to try include: Chlortrimeton, Sudafed, Claritin D, Actifed, Tylenol Sinus, Robitussin, Vicks Formula 44, Cepacol, Chloraseptic sprays and throat lozenges. The generic equivalences of these listed medications are fine to use. You may also use a vaporizer, normal saline drops 2-3 times a day. If fever, colored nasal drainage, or a persistent cough (productive or non-productive) develops call our office.
SORE THROAT: Gargle warm salt water 2-3 times a day. You may also use Chloraseptic sprays, throat lozenges and Tylenol for pain.
CONSTIPATION: Increase fluid and fiber intake daily for management and prevention of constipation. For treatment, you may include Milk of Magnesia, warm prune juice, bran cereals, and some dried or fresh fruits including apricots, prunes, raisin etc. may help to promote bowel function.
YEAST INFECTION: Monistat 7 cream (over the counter), insert ¼ inch into the vagina.
DIARRHEA: Imodium AD
HEARTBURN: Tums, Zantac, Maalox before or after each meal. Pepcid OTC may also be taken as directed. Avoid spicy foods that may cause heartburn.
SLEEPLESSNESS: Tylenol PM or Benadryl. You may choose to take one of these medications. Start with only half tablet of Benadryl and one Tylenol PM. DO NOT TAKE BOTH MEDICATIONS. YOU MAY ONLY TAKE ONE OF THE MEDICATIONS. IF NO RELIEF FROM ONE OF THE MEDICATIONS, YOU MAY TRY THE OTHER MEDICATION THE FOLLOWING NIGHT. ONLY TAKE ONE TABLET EACH NIGHT.
BACK PAIN: This is a normal part of pregnancy. Avoid wearing high heals, keep weight gain within recommended parameters, avoid heavy lifting. You should also avoid standing for long periods of time if at all possible. While sitting, avoid crossing your legs. This can cause you to tilt your pelvis too far forward and promote back pain. Sleep on a firm mattress on left side. You may also purchase a pregnancy girdle or crisscross support sling for your belly. Use a heating pad and try to relax.
ABDOMINAL PAIN: What you are feeling is the stretching of muscles and ligaments supporting the uterus. The pain may be described as a cramp or a sharp, stabbing pain. As long as the pain is occasional and not persistent, is not accompanied by fever, chills, bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, faintness or other unusual symptoms there is no cause for concern. Staying off your feet and resting should bring some relief.
HEMORRHOIDS: Avoid constipation; follow daily measures listed under constipation management. Sleep on your side, keep perineal area clean and dry. DO NOT STRAIN during bowel movements. Take warm sitz baths, and use topical medications such as Tucks pads.
SWELLING: Elevate legs or lie down on LEFT side. Wear comfortable shoes, avoid elastic top socks, heels and long periods of standing. Increase water intake and decrease your amount of salt intake from your diet.
HIGH PROTEIN FOODS: Nuts, seeds, whole grain baked goods, soy baked goods, yogurt, hard cheese, hard boiled eggs, wheat germ, beans, rice, oats, peanut butter, milk, and cottage cheese.
IRON RICH FOODS: Green leafy vegetables, Almonds, Cashews, Wheat germ, Bran Flakes, organ meats such as Venison, Liver etc. If you have to take an iron supplement take with orange juice or any other acidic juice to help promote absorption. This needs to be taken IN ADDITION to your prenatal vitamins.