Posted by Sally 2 on June 09, 2003 at 09:49:40:
In Reply to: Pregnant With More Questions posted by Ann Marie on June 09, 2003 at 09:42:19:
Hello! I posted the entire thing in case you need advice on other topics. My OB gives out this sheet telling patients what to take and not to take during pregnancy and how to aliviate certain symptoms. There is a section on COLDS there. As for the nails and hair, if you are taking pre-natal vitamins, they will definetely grow faster. My nails are very long now! :) Good Luck, Sally 2
1) ANIMALS - Don't change kitty litter to avoid possible toxoplasmosis infection.
2) BLEEDING
Spotting or light bleeding after sex is harmless and is due to the cervix being bumped. If bleeding persists, call your doctor. If bleeding is more than spotting, or you have pain and bleeding, GO TO HOSPITAL LABOR AND DELIVERY IMMEDIATELY, if you are beyond 20 weeks pregnant. Do not waste time calling your doctor, he will only tell you to go to Labor and Delivery. If you are under 20 weeks and are bleeding, cramping, or have a brown discharge, call your doctor. If you pass any tissue, save it!
3) BOWELS
Constipation - drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. Add bulk fiber to diet (bran). Add fruits and green vegetables to diet. Prune Juice. Metamucil, Colace (stool soften), or other natural softeners. Avoid chemical laxatives such as Exlax.
b) Diarrhea - If severe, stay on clear liquids for 24 hours. Kaopectate. If no relief in 48 hours, call your doctor.
c) Hemorrhoids - Anusol suppository (best). Warm tub soak for 20 mins at least twice a daily. Keep bowel movement soft (see constipation above).
d) Gas - Avoid gas forming foods like cabbage, onions and legumes. Avoid constipation.
4) COLDS
a) Keep fever under 101. Tylenol, four to six pills per day for fever (DO NOT TAKE MORE, IT CAN BE TOXIC TO YOUR LIVER). DO NOT take aspirin or ibuprofen, can have adverse effects on the baby. Increase fluids. Rest.
b) Nasal congestion - Vaporizer. Clor-trimetron D-congestion, or Sudafed, sparingly and only if needed.
c) Sore throat and cough - Gargle with salt water. Throat lozenges if necessary. Robitussin DM, only if necessary.
d) Headache – Extra-strength Tylenol, sparingly. Ice bag, dark room, rest. Call doctor if persists, can be symptom of preeclampsia.
5) CRAMPS
a) Uterine – If painful regular cramps or contractions go to Labor and Delivery (if beyond 20 weeks), or call doctor (if before 20 weeks). Early in pregnancy occasional cramps and sharp pains are common due to uterine growth, ligament stretching and fetal movement.
b) Leg – Support hose. Stretching exercises, massage.
6) DENTAL CARE
Routine dental work is okay in pregnancy. If root canal or other extensive work is indicated by your dentist, check with us first for antibiotic recommendation. Local anesthesia is okay, NO GAS! X-rays, okay is your abdomen is protected by lead apron.
7) EDEMA (swelling of hands and feet)
Drink lots of water (6-8 glasses per day). Elevate feet above heart level in evenings, and elevate as much as possible during the day. Decrease salt intake. Many foods and drinks have high sodium content. Light exercise (walking). Refer to low sodium diet.
8) EXERCISE
Vigorous exercise such as jogging, aerobics and weight lifting are okay only if your body is already used to these activities. Swimming, walking and low-impact aerobics are some of the best forms of exercise during pregnancy. Avoid activities which might result in significant stresses on your joints or trauma to your abdomen, like snow and water skiing, soccer, softball, football, horseback riding …. IMPORTANT – Keep your heart rate under 140 beats a minute while exercising so the fetus gets enough oxygen through the placenta. Do what feels okay and stop if pain develops. Try to so some exercise daily, you will feel better.
9) FETAL MOVEMENT
First movement is usually noticed between 14- 20 weeks. From 24 weeks on you should feel the baby move at least 4 times per hour when you are actually paying attention to movement. During a busy and active day you won’t feel much movement until you are less active. If you so not feel the baby move at least 4 times in an hour, drink something with sugar and re-check the fetal movement count. If the baby is still not moving at least 4 times then go to Labor and Delivery.
10) INDIGESTIONS AND HEARTBURN
Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol all strongly stimulates stomach acid secretion and make heartburn worse. These should not be used in pregnancy anyway. Avoid spicy foods id bothersome. Eat at least two hours before lying down. May take TUMS and Rolaids often, or Maalox and Mylanta sparingly. Call office is severe discomfort.
11) LABOR
Go to Labor and Delivery if contractions every 5-10 minutes, lasting 40-60 seconds, and feel much stronger than menstrual cramps. If you are before 37 weeks, more painful contractions per hour may be preterm labor. First lie down, rest and drink several glasses of fluids. If contractions don’t stop, then go to Labor and Delivery. Go to hospital if any leaking of fluid or bleeding. DO NOT CALL YOUR DOCTOR if you think you are in labor – he will only tell you to go to Labor and Delivery. If you think you are in labor or your bag of water has broken go to Labor and Delivery where the nurses will monitor your contractions, check your cervix and then notify the doctor of your status.
12) NAUSEA AND MORNING SICKNESS
Eat small, frequent meals of bland food (soda, crackers). Keeping well hydrated is most important, then nutrition. Try Unisom 25mg and vitamin B6 25mg twice a day. Call office or doctor if unable to keep anything down for 24 hours.
13) PAINTING
Only in well ventilated rooms. Do only if necessary. Latex paint only, NOT oil base.
14) SEX
Sex during pregnancy is okay as long as there hasn’t been any problem with spotting or bleeding. May continue as long as both partners are comfortable. If any questions consult M.D.
15) TRAVEL
After 7 months, you need consent from the office to fly. If driving stop every one to two hours and walk around. This will help prevent blood clots in your legs.
16) WEIGHT GAIN
Your baby needs protein, minerals, vitamins and calories to grow healthy, but significantly increasing the amount of food eaten daily is not necessary. You only need to eat an extra portion of protein food each day. Target weight gain for pregnancy is 25-35 pounds. You will gain more weight towards then end of pregnancy, usually one pound a week the last ten weeks. If activity decreases and appetite increases, avoid extra calories from high-fat foods such as butter, margarine, oil, cream, fried foods, salad dressing, pies, cakes and cookies. If you find that you are gaining weight too rapidly, honestly look at what you are eating; a few deserts can add up fast.
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