Corcoran, easterling & doyle-vallery, ltd

Gulf Coast Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ltd. Help for Common Medical Problems in Pregnancy There are many common ailments/conditions that may occur during pregnancy. The following treatments are considered safe during
pregnancy. If problems persist or you have concerns, please call our office.
Morning Sickness/Nausea
Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. It is important to try to keep something in your stomach all the time. Eat very frequent, small meals
and snack every hour or two. Cookies, crackers Pop-tarts are often helpful. Canned fruit in syrup or other quick source of sugar will often help when
other things won’t. Ginger product (Ginger Ale, Ginger Snaps) and Peppermint products (Peppermint Tea, Peppermint candies) are natural anti-emetics.
Other treatments to try include:
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 50 mg twice a day Unisom (an over the counter sleeping pill) at bedtime can be used in combination with the Vitamin B6. If you are unable to control the nausea or vomiting, call the office. Don’t let yourself become too dehydrated.
Headaches
Headaches are common in the first trimester but usually improve after that. Push fluids. Don’t miss meals. Increase your rest.
Take Extra-Strength Tylenol 2 tabs every 4 hours up to 8 tabs in 24 hours.
Excedrine Migraine 2 tabs every 4 hours up to 8 tabs in 24 hours.
Do not take Ibuprofen or Aleve or Imitrex.
If you have taken prescription medication for Headaches in the past, please discuss with us before you take these during pregnancy.
Report any Headache that is not relieved by these measures.
Cold, Congestion, Cough, Sore Throat
Push fluids. Rest as much as possible.
Take Mucinex and Claritin (together) for congestion, runny eyes and nose. Report fever>100.5, Cough or drainage that is discolored dark yellow or green.
Indigestion/Heartburn/Reflux
Eat frequent, small meals. Avoid eating right before bedtime. Sleeping with your head elevated may help.
Use Maalox or Mylanta, take as needed, especially at bedtime. Keep the bottle by your bed to take a dose during the night if needed.
Use Zantac 150 mg over the counter, according to package directions.
If the problem persists, notify the office.
Insomnia
Benedryl 25 mg, Tylenol PM, Unisom (over the counter sleeping pill)

Constipation
Increase fluids, fruits, fiber in your diet. Eat regularly.
Colace 50-100 mg once or twice a day with lots of fluid. Milk of Magnesia according to package directions.
Diarrhea
Keep up with your fluids. Bland foods, starches for 24 hours. Avoid fried or fatty foods or milk products for 48 hours.
Notify the office if diarrhea persists after 24 hours.
Fever
During pregnancy your temperature may normally rise to 99.5-100 degrees.
Use Tylenol Extra Strength 2 tabs every 4 hours for a temp over this.
Report temperature>100.5.
Hemorrhoids
Use warm sitz baths. Increase fluid intake. Use Baby Wipes, Tucks or Witch Hazel.
Anusol HC, Nupercaine, Preperation-H, Hydrocortisone Creams, ointments or suppositories as needed.
Skin Irritation/Rash
Caladryl lotion, Hydrocortisone cream, Benedryl cream or spray.
Report any rash, irritation or blisters that persist.
Immediately report any rash associated with fever.
Herpes
Use warm sitz baths to clean then dry lesions.
Contact the office for medication.
AVOID ALKA SELTZER, LARGE DOSES OF ASPIRIN, ANTI-INFLAMATORY MEDICATION (IBUPROFEN, MOTRIN,
ADVIL, ALEVE)

Source: http://www.gulfcoastobstetrics.com/documents/HelpwithCommonMedicalProblemswithPatients.pdf