Microsoft word - ob_discomforts_medication

SOUTH CAROLINA OB-GYN ASSOCIATES, P.A.
COMMON DISCOMFORTS OF PREGNANCY
The discomforts of pregnancy are normal accompaniments of the dramatic changes that are taking placein your body. Many of these changes may produce uncomfortable symptoms. Knowing that these arenormal and will disappear or improve as the pregnancy progresses makes them more bearable. SouthCarolina OB-GYN does not recommend freely using medications during your pregnancy.
Many suggestions are offered in this handout to help make you feel better. If all recommendations havebeen tried, but have not helped, you may use medications from this list. We still advise that nomedications be used in your first trimester (12 weeks) if used, to do so sparingly. NEVER exceed therecommended dosage on any medication! Remember, you cannot make the symptoms go away, but thefollowing recommendations may make them more tolerable for you.
CAUSES: High hormonal levels; increased stomach acids; stomach empties slowly; low blood sugar.
Continue to drink even if you cannot tolerate food to prevent dehydration.
FIRST TRY: Frequent small meals, 6-10 mini meals instead of the normal 3; eat a small snack beforegoing to bed and before rising in the morning. Complex carbohydrates (rice, potatoes, breads, pasta,cereal, crackers) and a protein make you feel better. Avoid highly seasoned, spicy or fried foods. Sip onfluids and nibble all day. Lemon, ginger, peppermint and raspberry may help your nausea (i.e., gingersnaps, ginger ale, lemon-lime Gatorade, lemon added to water, lemonade, raspberry tea; lemon, ginger orpeppermint candies).
MAY USE: Emetrol, Emecheck, vitamin B 25-50 mg. 3 times a day, seabands (accupressure bands usedfor years to help motion sickness; found at most pharmacies). IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO KEEPFLUIDS DOWN OR YOUR VOMITING IS MORE THAN OCCASIONAL, THEN CALL– 799-BABY(2229).
INDIGESTION / HEARTBURN
CAUSES: As above. Reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.
FIRST TRY: Small frequent meals. Do not overeat! Do not use baking soda. Try a bland diet and avoidcitrus drinks; eat slowly; do not lie down for several hours after a meal; do not eat right before going tobed; elevate the head of your bed on bricks.
MAY USE: Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Gaviscon, 2 tablespoons of Maalox Plus, Zantac, Pepcid, Axid,Tagamet or Mylanta II 30 minutes after each meal, or sip a few ounces of milk or cream.
CAUSES: As above.
FIRST TRY: As above. Avoid gas-producing foods (i.e., cabbage, onions, beans, broccoli). Avoidchewing gum or the use of straws, both of which increase air swallowed.
MAY USE: Mylicon, Gas X, Phazyme or Simethicon.
CONSTIPATION
CAUSES: Slower passage of food; pressure from the uterus on the colon; hormones may cause bowel torelax; dehydration.
FIRST TRY: Increase fluid intake,(i.e., juices and water); high fiber diet; exercise.
MAY USE: Bulk additives such as Metamucil or Citrucel; stool softeners such as Colace, Surfak orDialose. Use Senekot-S, Kaopectate or Milk of Magnesia if no bowel movement in three days.
HEMORRHOIDS
CAUSES: As above. Pressure from the uterus on the veins of the rectum and straining during a bowelmovement.
FIRST TRY: Avoid constipation; drink plenty of fluids; Sitz baths; soaking in 2 to 3 inches of warmwater several times a day; witch hazel compresses (may chill in the refrigerator).
MAY USE: Anusol HC suppositories; Preparation-H suppositories or cream; Colace; Surfak (Docusate);Tucks hemorrhoid pads.
DIARRHEA
CAUSES: Virus; change in eating habits; travel; certain foods; hormones of pregnancy.
FIRST TRY: Liquid diet then progress to binding foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, toast andGatorade or sport drinks.
MAY USE: Imodium AD and Kaopectate.
IF LASTS MORE THAN 24 HOURS THEN CALL 799-BABY(2229).
YEAST INFECTIONS
If you have never had a yeast infection before, call 799-BABY(2229) before self-treating. If you have hadyeast infections and feel sure that this is what you have, you may use Gyne-Lotrimin or Monistat. Use afull applicator, but only insert applicator half way in the vagina. You may use creams externally asneeded.
DIZZINESS / LIGHT HEADEDNESS
CAUSES: Change in blood volume and blood flow to the brain; hormonal changes; dehydration; lowblood sugar; low iron level.
TRY THIS: Move slowly; if lying down, arise slowly; lie on left side; avoid lying flat on your back afteryour 4th or 5th month; frequent small meals. If prolonged standing then rest for awhile. Stay well hydrated.
Eat a high carbohydrate / high protein snack. Eat iron rich foods. IF YOU ARE FAINTING THEN CALL799-BABY(2229).
FREQUENCY OF URINATION
CAUSES: Pressure on the bladder from the uterus (early pregnancy) or the baby (later pregnancy).
AVOID: Holding back if you feel the urge to void. Do not drink caffiene. Do not drink large amounts ofliquid 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Drink the bulk of your fluids early in the day. IF YOU HAVE PAINON URINATION, FEVER, BURNING OR BLOOD IN URINE THEN CALL 799-BABY(2229).
LOW BACK PAIN
CAUSES: Weight of uterus causes change in center of gravity; uterus pressing on nerves; a tilted uterus;poor body alignment; lack of exercise; improper lifting.
TRY THIS: Pelvic tilt exercises and stretching and muscle strengthening exercises; yoga; pilates; prenatalmassage. Ask for our book, “Back Pain in Pregnancy”. Use good posture; wear low-heeled shoes or flats.
CALL 799-BABY(2229) IF PAIN IS ACCOMPANIED BY FEVER OR URINARY SYMPTOMS.
INSOMNIA
CAUSES: Frequent problem for pregnant women; pressure of baby on blood vessels and nerves; concernsabout changes, baby, labor and delivery, etc.
TRY THIS: Change positions; use of pillows for support; avoid napping late in the day; exercise early inthe day rather than close to bedtime; read; warm shower; warm milk; soothing music; back rubs;relaxation techniques; yoga. Avoid caffeine (coffee, teas, colas, chocolate).
MAY USE: Unisom, Tylenol PM or Benadryl.
VARICOSE VEINS
CAUSES: Pressure from uterus on veins; softening and enlargement of veins due to hormones; prolongedsitting; stricture from tight fitting hose, knee-highs, socks, etc.; family tendency.
TRY THIS: Frequent rest periods with legs elevated; maternity support hose. Avoid excessive weightgain; avoid crossing legs.
SINUS TROUBLE/ COLDS / ALLERGIES
CAUSES: Seasonal allergies; hormones tend to increase secretions and swelling of mucus membranes inpregnancy causing allergy or sinus symptoms.
TRY THIS: Push fluids; cool mist humidifier; plain saline nose drops; warm shower. Avoid exposure toknown allergens.
MAY USE: Tylenol regular or extra strength; Tylenol Cold & Sinus; plain Sudafed; Tavist D; Benadryl;Chlortrimeton. CALL 799-BABY(2229) IF SYMPTOMS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY ATEMPERATURE OF MORE THAN 100.4 OR IF DISCHARGE IS GREEN OR YELLOW GREEN.
CAUSES: Allergies; colds or flu; irritants such as smoking; cessation of smoking.
TRY THIS: As above. Avoid irritants.
MAY USE: Cough syrups (Sudafed, Robitussin DM at bedtime, Benylin) and cough drops.
SORE THROAT
CAUSES: Dehydration; colds; cough; virus; irritants; smoking.
TRY THIS: As above. Warm salt-water gargles; throat lozenges; Chloraseptic spray; Tylenol. CALL 799-BABY(2229) IF TEMPERATURE IS MORE THAN 100.4.
South Carolina OB-GYN does not recommend freely using medications during pregnancy. If you havetried all other recommendations and they have not helped, you may use the following medications afterthe first trimester (12 weeks).
COLDS / COUGH / SINUS CONGESTION
INDIGESTION / HEARTBURN
CONSTIPATION
HEMORRHOIDS
Anusol HC suppository or creamPreparation H suppository or creamTucks Hemorrhoid Pads (put above cream on pad, NAUSEA
May Use:
DIARRHEA
May Use:
YEAST INFECTION
May Use:
Only insert applicator half way into vagina just before going to bed. You may use some cream externallyif needed.

Source: http://www.scobgyn.com/OB_Discomforts_Medication.pdf