How to Handle Common Health Issues While Pregnant
No medication is considered 100% safe in pregnancy; therefore, we ask that you consult with us prior to taking any medications not listed below. All medications listed here should be taken in small doses and only when necessary.
During the First-Trimester (weeks 1-12), it is recommended that you should consult us before taking any medication, as this is a crucial time of fetal development.
For Indigestion: Try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Avoid spicy or greasy foods. If these suggestions fail, Mylanta, Maalox or Rolaids can be used sparingly.
For Nausea or Morning Sickness: Eat smaller, more frequent meals and never go without food for extended periods of time. Eating a cracker or a piece of dry toast in the morning may be helpful. Ginger chews, ginger-ale, Gatorade, Emetrol or Vitamin B-6 (50 mg x 2 at bedtime and 50 mg in the morning) can also be helpful. If vomiting and/or diarrhea persist for more than 24 hours, please contact the office. A more complete list of safe medications is listed on the following page.
For Constipation: Increase fiber intake by eating more whole-grain breads or cereals, or cooked and raw fruits and vegetables. You should be drinking 2-3 quarts of liquid each day. If constipation persists, you can take Metamucil or Colace.
For Diarrhea: Diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, medications, or rich and high-fat foods. Increase your intake of clear liquids, bananas, plain rice, applesauce, and dry-toast. Avoid milk products, sugary juices, and rich foods. If your diarrhea is severe or lasts more than 48 hours, please contact our office.
For Hemorrhoids: Usually when there are problems with constipation, hemorrhoids develop. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins at the rectal opening, and most often include symptoms of burning, itching, or irritation. Warm baths 2-3 times per day and applying Witch-hazel, Tucks or Preparation-H after bowel movements can help to alleviate symptoms. Keeping bowel movements soft (with fiber) and regular, and avoiding any straining will allow hemorrhoids to resolve.
For Headaches: Headaches commonly occur during pregnancy, but if they become persistent or Tylenol (acetaminophen) 650mg fails to alleviate them, please contact our office.
Which over-the-counter medications can you use?
Allergies: Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine), Efidac, Sinarest, Sine-off, Teldrin, Sine-aid, Visine, Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Novahistine, Claritin, Alavert, Benadryl
Backache: Mineral Ice, Eucalyptus Mint, Tylenol (Acetaminophen), Doan’s, Capsagel
Colds: Comtrex, Sine-aid, Chlor-Trimeton, Drixoral, Triaminic, Theraflu, Tavist-D, Coricidin, Dimetapp, Actifed, Mucinex
Constipation: Colace (Docusate Sodium), Metamucil, Effersyllium, Fi-bars, Fibercon, Miralax, Konsyl (tabs/powder), oatmeal, Fiber-one, Prune juice, Bran cereals
Cough: Tylenol cough, Robitussin-DM, Drixoral, Delsym, Triaminic
Diarrhea: Imodium A-D, Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol
Hemorrhoids: Witch-Hazel, Preparation-H, Anusol HC-q, Tronolane, Tucks
Indigestion: Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Tagamet, Gaviscon, Miralax, Peppermint teas, Pepcid OTC
Insomnia: Unisom, Sleepinal, Sleepy time tea, Chamomile, Tylenol PM
Itching: Americaine, Xylocaine 2.5% ointment, Dermoplast, Aloe-vera with lidocaine, Caldecort, Alpha Keri, Aveeno Bath, Nupercaine, Psoriasis/Eczema relief cream, Cortizone, Benadryl tabs/cream, Gelvis
Nasal Congestion: Neo-synephrine, Afrin, Efidac, Na-Sal, Privine, Vicks, Saline, Ocean Spray, Eucalyptus oil, Sinutab, Nasal Moist
Nausea: Ginger tea/ales/chews, Peppermint tea/candy, Gatorade, Pedialyte (dilute to ½ strength), Vitamin B-6, Unisom, Sea Bands
Pain Relievers: Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Sore Throat: Any lozenges, Chloraseptic spray, salt-water gargle
Hopefully this information can help you to navigate some of the issues the come up naturally during pregnancy. If you have any additional questions about medications you may have taken, or that another physician has prescribed you, please do not hesitate to call us!