Common complaints and remedies of pregnancy

COMMON COMPLAINTS AND REMEDIES OF PREGNANCY

ACHES/PAINS
You may take regular or extra strength Tylenol as directed on the package instructions.
For backaches you may also apply heat on a low setting or apply ice to the painful area.
For abdominal pain we recommend rest, Tylenol and a warm tub soak. If you are more
than 24 weeks and less than 35 weeks pregnant and are having more than five or six
contractions in one hour please call the office.
BLEEDING
You may notice spotting or bleeding after intercourse. If you experience this please
abstain from intercourse for 48 hours after the bleeding has resolved. You do not need to
call the office for this. If you are having bright red bleeding that is soaking a pad please
call the office.
COLDS/COUGH STUFFY/RUNNY NOSE SORE THROAT ALLERGIES
Nasal congestion: Mucinex (guaifenesin) to break up mucous. Use as directed on bottle,
will not make you jittery or sleepy. Use day and night until mucous has been gone for a
day. Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) to open up nasal passages. Also used to drain sinuses
and relieve pressure in ears. May make you jittery. If it makes you jittery do not take at
night. Use day and night for at least 24 hours or until congestion or ear pressure has been
gone for a day. Saline nasal spray (not to be confused with Afrin, Dristan, etc.) to help
break up mucous and moisturize nasal passages. Shower Soothers, tablets to place in
bottom of shower that naturally opens nasal passages. If you will use Mucinex, Sudafed
and saline spray, wait 30 minutes and then take warm shower or hold head over steam
from boiling water mucous will really break up and is easier to blow out.
Runny nose: Plain Claritin (no D), Chlortrimeton, Zyrtec, or Benadryl to dry up runny
nose or for allergy symptoms. May cause you to be drowsy.
Cough: Delsym or Robitussin DM (guaifenesin with dextromethorphan) or Creomulsion.
Breaks up mucous and stops irritating cough. Does not stop cough that brings up
mucous. You do not want to stop a cough that produces mucous.
Sore throat: throat lozenges (without benzocaine). Warm tea with honey or lemon.
Gargle with warm salt water. Suck on hard candies.
Steam vaporizer or humidifier. Moisturizes airways.
When to call the office: If fever remains above 100.4 one hour after taking Tylenol,
difficulty with breathing or short of breath not associated with a stuffy nose. Antibiotics
are not usually necessary or effective as colds and flu are viral and not cured with
antibiotics.
CONSTIPATION
This is a normal change in pregnancy. Increase your water to 3 liters or 100 ounces a
day. Take daily walks. Increase the fiber in your diet. You can eat bran muffins, raisin
bran cereal, oatmeal, nutrigrain cereal, pears, etc. Increasing raw vegetables in your diet
is often helpful. If these measures aren’t enough you can take Metamucil, Citrucel or
Benefiber once or twice a day. For more severe cases you can add colace (stool softener)
one to two times a day. Do not take laxatives.
DIARRHEA
Start the BRATT diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast and Tea. Continue the BRATT
diet until you have not had diarrhea for 24 hours. You may take Imodium AD. Do not
take kaopectate or Peptobismal as these contain aspirin. Push your fluids. Call the office if you are unable to urinate every six hours. Remember good hand washing to prevent spreading to your family and co-workers. FEVER
Call if your fever is over 100.4 one hour after taking regular or extra strength Tylenol.
GAS
Simethicone (Gax-X, Mylanta Gas). See indigestion remedies for more help.
HEADACHES
Lay down in a dark, quiet room. Apply a cool cloth to the area of discomfort. You may
take Tylenol regular or extra strength.
HEARTBURN/ INDIGESTION/REFLUX
Eat small frequent meals, avoid overeating. Sit up for 45 minutes after eating or
drinking. Elevate the head of your bed two inches. (Place a brick or piece of wood under
the head of the bed legs.) You may try papaya juice or tablets, Mylanta, Maalox,
Gaviscon, Zantac, Tums, Pepcid AC.
HEMORRHOIDS
See constipation remedies. Soak in a warm sitz bath 3-4 times a day. Apply ice to the
hemorrhoid. You may use Anusol HC or Preparation H and Tucks/witch hazel pads.
INSOMNIA Sleepy time tea (may be purchased at any grocery store.) .Benadryl or
Tylenol PM on limited basis. Avoid caffeine.
NAUSEA
See nausea vomiting sheet
VAGINAL DISCHARGE
You will experience a heavier discharge in pregnancy. Often you may experience
perineal itching or irritation as a result. Rinse off with clear water after going to the
bathroom, pat the area dry and then use your blow dryer on a low setting to further dry
the area. You should notice an improvement within 24-48 hours. If you are not
improved or if your discharge is thick, has the consistency of cottage cheese and itchy
you may have a yeast infection. If your discharge is thin and is foul smelling after
intercourse you may have a bacterial infection. Neither of these are dangerous or an
emergency. Please call the office during normal business hours to have the discharge
evaluated.

Source: http://www.maternalgynerations.net/PDF/Common%20Complaints%20and%20Remedies%20of%20Pregnancy7_27_11.pdf