Microsoft word - pregnancy helps

Michelle M. Mulder, M.D.
300 West White Mountain Blvd, Suite D; Lakeside, AZ 85929 Over the Counter Medications for Pregnancy
Listed below are some problems that can occur during pregnancy along with several simple "self helps" and commonly available over the co unter medications. If you have any ques tions, or if a ny symptoms persist after these treatments, please call our office at (928) 367-1444. Sore Throat: Sucrets or Chloraseptic or lozenges, Cepacol throat spray
Cough: Robitussin plain or DM. Cough drops
Pain or Fever: Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol (no aspirin or NSAIDS, such as Ibuprofen
Runny Nose: All over the counter antihistamines are safe during pregnancy. Sedating
antihistamines (ie: Benadryl, Tylenol Cold, Tavist D, Comtrex) are needed for colds and severe attacks of seasonal allergies. Non-sedating antihistamines (Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec) are good for PREVENTING seasonal allergies. (Only Claritin is over the counter and is available in many off-brand forms. The generic is loratadine.) Congestion: Steam, Ocean Nasal spray, Sudafed, Tavist D, Dimetapp, Vicks vapor rub.
As a last resort: Afrin Nasal spray twice daily, NOT to exceed more than four days. DO
NOT take decongestants (Sudafed*) if you have high blood pressure.
*Note: Sudafed (psuedofedrine) products are now “behind the counter.” These
products are safe in pregnancy and are more effective than the “PE” products that replaced Indigestion:
Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Keep body upright for approximately 30 minutes after Avoid: caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, fatty or spicy foods, and cigarettes.
Upset stomach: Mylanta, Maalox, Tums (liquid or chewable tablets), Zantac, Pepcid OTC.
Heartburn: Prilosec OTC, Zantac, Pepcid.
Gas: Mylicon, Gas-X, or Gaviscon chewable.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Try hot tea, crackers, or the “BRATT” diet (bread, rice, Vomiting:
applesauce, toast, tea). Encourage liquids, especially Sprite or 7-Up (let them go flat prior to drinking them), Gatorade, or PowerAde (may be tolerated best if diluted with water). Avoid: fatty or spicy foods.
TRY: ginger root, Vitamin B-6 25 mg with Unisom 25 mg every 4 to 8 hours, or Emetrol.
Occasionally, nausea is due to heartburn. Try medications for Indigestion (above).
Extreme Nausea / Call our office at (928) 367-1444 if extreme nausea or vomiting persists for more than 36
Vomiting:
hours. You may need rehydration treatment.
Constipation:
Increase fluids (6 to 8 glasses of water per day.) Eat high roughage foods (fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, bran, oatmeal.) Include bananas or grape, prune, or apple juice in your TRY: Milk of Magnesia, Surfak, or Colace from one to three times daily for soft bowel
movements. If desired, add Metamucil, Benefiber, or Fibercon one to three times daily for Headaches:
Headaches are common during pregnancy and are usually the result of inadequate fluid intake. Increase fluid intake, especially with electrolyte fluids such as Gatorade or Powerade. Try cold compresses to the eyes or the back of the neck. Try a caffeinated beverage, especially if you have cut back on caffeine. Avoid: Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, or aspirin.
TRY: Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen). Migraine ice.
Call our office at (928) 367-1444 if your headache is severe.
Swelling:
Decrease salt from diet (chips, processed meats such as luncheon meats or SPAM, pork, Mexican food, canned soup/vegetables, soda, fast food.) Avoid high temperatures and prolonged standing or walking. Elevate feet or rest on left side with feet elevated above heart level. Backache:
Pelvic tilt exercises, apply heat, rest, or massage therapy. TRY: Tylenol, Ben Gay, Icy Hot, muscle cream.
Heating pads are fine, but avoid use with Ben Gay or muscle cream, as it may burn your Hemorrhoids:
Sit in a tub of warm water frequently. Prevent constipation (see above.) TRY: Tucks medicated pads, Preparation H ointment.
Diarrhea:
Encourage liquids, especially Sprite, Gatorade, or PowerAde (may be tolerated best if Avoid: dairy products
TRY: Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol, Immodium AD.
Ligament Pain:
Experienced as sharp, intermittent pains in sides or groin areas. Worse with twisting, position changes, or after exertion. Do pelvic tilt exercise, sit with legs elevated, apply warm moist heat, or take a warm tub bath. Lie on left side and draw knees up to chest. Avoid: sudden movements.
TRY: Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol, if needed.
Insomnia:
Use pillows for support (between the knees, behind the back, under the belly). Try a hot Practice good sleep hygiene: avoid caffeine, watching TV or reading in bed
TRY: Benadryl 25 mg, Tylenol PM, or Unisom. Try exercise before bed.
Leg Cramps:
Alternate rest / activity. Try support hose, do dorsiflex exercises (stretching your toes Avoid: standing for long periods
Increase calcium intake: 3 to 4 glasses of milk daily, Oscal, Citacal, or Tums EX
Increase potassium: bananas or potassium salt substitutes (salt food to taste).
Pregnancy - When to seek professional help
There are a few symptoms that may indicate a serious problem. Please notify our office if any of the following • Bleeding from the vagina that is as heavy as a menstrual period • Severe abdominal pain unrelieved by rest or Tylenol. • Chills or fever • Burning with urination • Severe headaches • Visual symptoms: blurred vision (a real inability to focus on an object), spots before your eyes, or the preference of a darkened room over one with bright light. • Severe decrease in fetal movement • A gush of fluid vaginally may indicate rupture or leaking of the "bag of water" (amniotic fluid) Rhythmic tightening of the abdomen with or without pain, rhythmic low back pain, or labor pains, if you are less than 36 weeks along in your pregnancy. 

Source: http://www.michellemuldermd.com/Articles/Pregnancy%20Helps.pdf