Common Pregnancy Problems and Treatments

Obstetrics

Common Pregnancy Problems
and Treatments

During the first three months of your pregnancy, it is best not to take any medication. You should try treatments other than medicine for common medical problems. However, if these treatments are not effective, you may be able to take an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. The following is a list of problems you may experience during your pregnancy and various treatments for them, including OTC medications that are safe to take:

Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Flu)

Plenty of fluids and rest
Use a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer at night (especially if you are congested)

Stuffy Nose

Sudafed, Actifed or Triaminic syrup

Sore Throat

Gargle with mouthwash, such as Chloraseptic or Listerine, or salt water (1 tsp. salt in 8 oz. of warm water)
Sucrets
Cold or hot fluids (whichever feels better)

Cough

Cough drops or throat lozenges
Plenty of fluids
Robitussin DM, Tylenol Cold
Sudafed or Actifed (if cough is due to post-nasal drip)

General Achiness

Two Regular or Extra Strength Tylenol every four hours as needed

Allergies

Benadryl for runny nose, itchy eyes, dry cough or nasal stuffiness
Chlortrimeton, Sudafed, Actifed or Tylenol Sinus
A cool cloth on your eyes to ease the itching

Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy (First Four Months)

Eat small, frequent meals (five or six small meals)
Eat crackers, dry cereal or dry toast before lifting your head from bed in the morning; nibble on these foods frequently throughout the day
Drink liquids separately from food
Avoid the odor of food cooking, especially frying
Avoid fried, spicy or greasy foods and strongly-flavored vegetables

Headaches

Eat and drink something if you haven't in the past few hours
Lie down in a dark, quiet room with a cold cloth on your head
Two Regular or Extra Strength Tylenol every four hours as needed

Diarrhea

Immodium AD or Kaopectate
Drink clear fluids followed by BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) when diarrhea improves

Constipation

Increase fluids
Increase fiber in diet (popcorn, celery, salad, carrots, nuts, bran cereals, shredded wheat, raw fruits and vegetables, prune juice at bedtime)
Regular exercise
Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia
Colace (stool softener) twice a day

Hemorrhoids

If constipated, increase the fiber in your diet
Soak in the bathtub
Preparation H, Anusol, Tucks, Hemorid

Heartburn

Small frequent meals (five to six per day)
No eating at bedtime
Sleep with your head elevated on several pillows
Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, Zantac, Pepcid, Gaviscon

Nausea and Vomiting

Clear fluids (clear soft drinks, tea, apple juice, jello, popsicles, broth); sips or small amounts every 10-15 minutes
Add bland foods in small amounts once clear fluids have stayed down for several hours (cereal, crackers, toast, baked or boiled potatoes, applesauce canned fruits, boiled or broiled meat)

If you are experiencing the following problems, call our office at (229) 241-2800 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and a nurse will assist you:

If you are unable to keep fluids down for one day
If your headaches are persistent, severe, of if you have a history of high blood pressure
If you have diarrhea lasting more than two days