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Frequently Asked Questions During PregnancyWhat Medications are Safe During Pregnancy? What foods should I avoid during pregnancy? What are Some Common Discomforts Experienced During Pregnancy? Can I Color My Hair While Pregnant?
What Medications are Safe During Pregnancy?Please check with the office before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication. Regular strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the medication of choice for pain or fever. Please do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium unless directed by your physician. If you have a fever of 100.6 or higher, please call the office or your family doctor. For sinus congestion with colds, allergies, or flu, you may take Tylenol cold/flu products, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). You may use a saline nasal spray, such as Ocean or Nasal. Neosynephrine nasal spray may be used for no longer than 3 days at a time. You may take Robitussin DM for coughs or chest congestion. A warm salt-water gargle is recommended for a sore throat. You may use throat drops, spray, or lozenges. A cool air vaporizer may help you sleep at night. It is essential to increase fluid intake and get sufficient rest.
What foods should I avoid during pregnancy?We know some foods actually carry risks in pregnancy – the risks are very small and even if you do eat some of these foods you are very unlikely to harm yourself or your baby. Some ffods have been found the have the potential for contamination with listeria. Listeria is a bacterium that can lead to pre-term birth, miscarriage, or flu-like symptoms.
What are Some Common Discomforts Experienced During Pregnancy?Diarrhea - If this occurs, increase your fluids to at least 6 to 8 glasses a day. Avoid milk or milk products until the diarrhea has resolved. Follow the BRATT diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesause, Tea, or Toast. If you obtain no relief in 24 hours of the BRATT diet, Kaopectate or Immodium may be purchased without a prescription. If the diarrhea continues for more than 48 hours, please call the office. Constipation - The best way to combat constipation is through prevention. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of liquids a day. Include fruit juices (prune and apple juices are especially helpful). Increase the fiber in your diet by eating bran or shredded wheat cereals, bran muffins, as well as raw fruits and vegetables. Exercise daily (walking is good). If constipation should occur, there are several non-prescription medications that may be used - Metamucil, Citrucel, Fibercon, Per Diem, and Milk of Magnesia. Heartburn or Indigestion - Eat small, frequent meals (5 or 6 a day). Drink liquids, especially milk, between meals rather than with meals. Avoid fatty or fried foods and carbonated beverages. Sit up during and for one hour following meals. You may use non-prescription antacids. Nausea (Morning Sickness) - Although nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is commonly referred to as "morning sickness", it can occur at any time of the day or night, usually when the stomach is empty. Try keeping something in your stomach - eat small, frequent meals (5 or 6 a day). If nausea is a problem when you get up in the morning, try a high protein snack before bed and a few pretzels or dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning. Avoid unpleasant odors. Avoid dehydration as this can increase your nausea. Taking your vitamin at night may help, or switching to a chewable formula. Anytime you are unable to keep even fluids down for 24 hours - please call the office. Urinary Tract Infections - Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can include pain or burning with urination and increased frequency of urination. The urine may be cloudy or have a strong odor. Unexplained lower abdominal cramping, often accompanied by a backache, can also mean a UTI. An untreated urinary tract infection can cause premature labor, so please do not delay seeking treatment. Please call the office with these symptoms and we will arrange a urinalysis for you. It is essential to drink plenty of water and fruit juices (8 to 10 glasses a day). Please avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages, as they can be irritating to the bladder. Swelling - Some edema, or swelling, is normal during pregnancy. Generally it appears in the ankles and legs during the final months. Elevate your legs whenever possible. Rest on your left side. Reduce your intake of foods containing salt. Many foods are loaded with salt, such as fast foods and pizza, processed foods (deli meats), and food from a box (macaroni and cheese), jar (spaghetti sauce), or cans (soup). Drinking adequate water is the best way to get rid of excess swelling, so drink 8 to 10 glasses a day. Please call the office if the swelling is severe or if accompanied by a headache unrelieved by Tylenol, or if you have visual changes, or upper right abdominal pain. Bleeding - Spotting of blood may occur in 40% of all normal pregnancies during the first trimester. If you are spotting, begin best rest and call the office. Avoid heavy lifting, exercise, and sexual intercourse for 48 hours after the last episode of spotting.
Is It Safe to Travel?Travel by any mode of transportation is considered safe up to the seventh month of pregnancy. If traveling by car, it is advisable to stop every 1 to 2 hours to stretch and move your legs. Eat healthy snacks and take along lots of water to drink in the car. Always use seat belts, with the lap belt low on the abdomen. After the seventh month, check with the office before traveling.
Can I Have Intercourse?Intercourse can be a normal activity during pregnancy. Unless there is a specific problem with the pregnancy, such as bleeding, or preterm contractions, sexual intercourse is safe during pregnancy. It may be necessary to experiment with position and depth of penetration to avoid discomfort. If intercourse is painful or causes bleeding or prolonged contractions (it is normal to have some contractions following intercourse), please talk with your physician.
Should I Exercise?Regular exercise is important during pregnancy to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Walking, swimming, bicycle riding, and prenantal exercise classes are all recommended. You may continue normal sports activity, although it is not the time to take up a new sport. We recommend keeping the heart rate under 140 (take your pulse for 6 seconds, multiply by 10). Do not exercise lying flat on your back after 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Why Do My Gums Bleed?You m ay find your gums bleed more easily while you are pregnant. This is caused by the increased blood supply to the oral tissues during pregnancy. You should brush at least twice daily using a soft toothbrush and also floss daily. It is recommended to continue routine dental care during pregnancy. If dental work is necessary, it is safe for the dentist to use a local anesthetic such as Novocain. Please inform your dentist that you are pregnant and if X-Rays are required, they can be safely performed with the abdomen shielded.
How Much Caffeine is Safe?Caffeine may be used in moderation. It is believed that two or fewer cups of a beverage with caffeine should be safe. If a mother drinks more caffeine, the baby can be born with a caffeine addition, interfering with sleeping and eating during the first weeks of life. Beverages with caffeine include coffee, tea, chocolate and caffeinated sodas.
Can I Color My Hair While Pregnant?According to hair dressing experts, chemicals used to treat hair are not dangerous to use during pregnancy. It is safe to get your hair colored, highlighted or permed in a well-ventilated room. Be aware, however, because of the changes of pregnancy, that the treatment to your hair may not "take" as it normally would when you are not pregnant.
Are Hot Tubs Safe?We do not recommend any water hot enough to raise the core body temperature of a pregnant woman, since a marked increase in maternal temperature may adversely affect the baby. Even with tub baths, the water should not be so hot as to cause your skin to become reddened or for you to become dizzy when standing.
Can I Use a Tanning Booth?Although not contraindicated in pregnancy, we do not recommend the use of tanning beds because of the risk of skin cancer. A sunscreen is recommended when outdoors.
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© 2007 Women Partners in OB-GYN |
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