Medications in Pregnancy

In regards to MEDICATIONS in pregnancy, we ask that you try to limit your exposure to medications (including over-the-counter medications and herbal products). If, however, you find you need treatment for any of the following conditions, the medications listed below may be used. If you experience headaches or minor body aches and pains, you may take Tylenol or Extra-Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen). Notify the office if you should develop a fever of 100.4° or higher. For severe symptoms of cold/sinus/allergies, you may use an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine such as Claritin, Claritin-D, Sudafed, Benadryl, Tylenol Cold/Sinus/Flu, Contac, Theraflu or Triaminic products for a short period of 3 to 5 days. Commercial cough syrups or cough drops on a short 3 to 5 days basis is acceptable (Robitussin DM, Vicks 44E). We discourage the use of nose sprays during pregnancy. Nose bleeds are common in pregnancy. If you have great chest congestion or discomfort, fever or yellow, green or bloody sputum, call the office. For a sore throat, salt water gargles or over-the-counter sprays and lozenges are acceptable. If your throat should remain severely sore for more than 3 to 7 days, call the office for a possible throat culture. Nausea or morning sickness can occur especially in the first trimester. An empty stomach can exacerbate this. Eat frequent small meals or snacks to keep something in your stomach; such as crackers before arising in the morning. Try taking vitamins after meals or at night. Avoid those foods that don’t agree with you and take advantage of those that are better tolerated. Snacks can include crackers, pretzels, or popsicles. Tea (spearmint, raspberry, chamomile, peppermint) may be helpful. You may also try ginger found in ginger ale, ginger capsules (250 mg every 6 hours), ginger snaps, ginger spice, Vitamin B6 25mg every 8 hours, or Unisom, 1 tablet at night or ½ tablet in the a.m. and ½ tablet in the p.m., Benadryl, Emetrol, Emacheck and Bonine tablets are available in your pharmacy. You may also try wearing a “diving band” on your wrist, available in some pharmacies. For diarrhea, you may use Imodium AD or Koapectate. If diarrhea should persist more than 5 days, or is bloody, call the office. With persistent vomiting or diarrhea watch for signs of dehydration such as decreased urination, increased thirst and dry membranes. Maintain appropriate fluids and electrolyte balance. Electrolyte solutions are available over-the-counter such as Gatorade. Please notify us if you have a high fever, show signs of severe dehydration such as lethargy or decreased urine output. Please use good hand washing to protect other household members from illness. For an upset stomach or heartburn antacids are okay. Acceptable examples include Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta or Tums. Also Tagamet, Zantac or Pepcid may be used. For occasional constipation a stool softener is acceptable (Colace, Surfak, Kaopectate Stool softener, Miralax, Flax Seed) but you should try to avoid enemas. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day, exercise and include raw fruits and vegetables and whole grain products in your diet. Fiber products such as FiberCon, Metamucil and Citrucel are available at your pharmacy. For hemorrhoids try Preparation H with 1% hydrocortisone in ointment or suppositories. An occasional laxative (Perdiem, Dulcolax tablet, Senokot) is acceptable. We also recommend a natural “Bowel recipe” which you mix 1 cup unprocessed wheat bran or miller’s bran, 1 cup apple sauce and ¼ cup prune juice. Take 2 TBSP in AM and 2 TBSP in PM. Insomnia is common also during pregnancy. If you find the need for a sleeping aid, Unisom may be used, but only for occasional limited use. If you have to have dental work done during your pregnancy, local anesthetics may be used. Be sure your dentist knows that you are pregnant so that you will be properly shielded if x-rays are taken. Bleeding from gums is common in pregnancy. On the matter of disability for pregnancy, we allow four weeks before your due date if you choose to take it and six weeks postpartum for a vaginal delivery, and eight weeks postpartum for a Cesarean Section delivery. If you develop a medical complication during pregnancy, or in the postpartum period, your disability dates will be adjusted accordingly. We can only authorize disability for as long as you are “medically disabled”. We welcome your husband, children or other family members who may accompany you for your office visits. Childbirth classes are recommended. The hospital class is excellent. Registration starts as early as 28 weeks. You will also need to select a pediatrician prior to delivery. They all prefer an office visit prior to delivery to get acquainted and answer your questions. When you feel your labor has begun (usually contractions every 5 minutes for an hour), or if your bag of water has broken, proceed to Labor and Delivery. They will call us upon your arrival. You may pass a mucous plug; if you do, just watch for other signs of labor such as regular uterine contractions or leakage of fluid. We welcome you to call the office if you have a problem or question. Please make calls between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday. For emergencies only, after hours, call 498-3243 and the answering service will forward the call.