THE MOST COMMON CONCERNS
OF PREGNANT WOMEN
It is natural for you to have many questions and concerns throughout your pregnancy. Many of these questions and concerns will arise when you are at home or work. To save you time and give you peace of mind, we have designed the following alphabetical list to serve as a quick reference and accurate guide to pregnant women's most common concerns.
1. Aerobics
• Aerobic activity may be continued during pregnancy if you are accustomed to doing it.
• If any unusual symptoms appear (i.e., bleeding or abdominal cramping), stop the activity and notify us immediately.
• Pay attention to your body as you exercise. Stop when fatigued. Adjust the intensity of exercise to match your energy level and prevent overexertion (heart rate over 140).
• Be sure to drink water before and after exercise to prevent dehydration.
2. Bleeding
• If vaginal bleeding occurs, please call us immediately. Do not wait for office hours.
3. Caffeine
• Minimal consumption (two cup per day) of caffeinated beverages is safest for you and your baby. (See Nutrition chapter.)
4. Cat Litter
Avoid touching and do not empty cat litter boxes during pregnancy to prevent a possible infection of toxoplasmosis. This infection may cause miscarriage or birth defects.
5. Colds
For nasal congestion:
• Increase your oral intake of fluids to at least 12 glasses per day.
• Run a cool-mist vaporizer, preferably one that heats the water prior to vaporization.
• Get more rest.
• Use Saline nasal spray (You can make your own refill using 1/4 teaspoon
salt and one cup water)).
• Medicines: The following medications may be used without prescription after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but do not exceed the recommended dosage:
• Afrin nasal spray (decongestant nasal spray)
• Sudafed decongestant tablets (plain)
For sore throat:
• Gargle with 1/2–1 teaspoon of salt in a large glass of warm water.
• If a sore throat persists, come by the office for a throat culture to rule out a strep infection.
For low-grade fever (below 100 degrees Fahrenheit):
• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 3–4 hours, but do not exceed 6–8 tablets per day. Aspirin should be avoided during pregnancy unless your physician or nurse midwife orders it. Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Aleve) should be avoided during pregnancy.
6. Communicable Diseases
• If you have had childhood illnesses such as chicken pox, German measles, or red measles, your immune system will protect your infant.
• If your immunity is lacking or unknown, avoid any situation where you might be exposed to these childhood illnesses.
Chicken Pox
Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral infection. Several days before the rash appears and for several days afterward, the virus is airborne and may be spread by direct contact or coughing/sneezing. When the rash turns to blisters, the virus is also carried in the fluid of the blisters. If you have not had chicken pox, it is best to stay away from those known to have been exposed to the disease recently, or those who are in the early days of it, and to avoid touching them when they are in the blister stage.
7. Constipation
• Drink 10 glasses of fluids per day.
• Exercise regularly.
• Increase fiber content of diet (i.e., fruits, vegetables, and whole grains).
• Medicines: The following medications my be used occasionally without prescription after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy:
• Colace, Surfak (stool softeners)
• Metamucil, Perdiem (bulk forming laxatives)
• Konsyl natural fiber therapy
• Milk of Magnesia (laxative)
8. Contractions
• A contraction is a tightening of the uterine muscle. Contractions occur normally throughout pregnancy.
• Beware of contractions that occur before the 37th week of pregnancy, because they may be signaling preterm labor. It is normal for contractions to occur at the rate of three or less an hour.
• Please call us if you are having contractions or uterine tightening at the rate of every 15 minutes or more before the 37th week of pregnancy because this is not normal.
9. Coughs
• Mix equal parts honey and lemon; sip 1–2 teaspoons every 1–2 hours.
• Robitussin (plain) may be used during pregnancy, but do not exceed the recommended dosage.
10. Cramping
• If you experience persistent, severe cramping or abdominal pain with or without bleeding, please call us immediately.
11. Dental Work
• Fillings and/or extractions may be performed under local anesthetic after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• Routine dental x-rays should be avoided during pregnancy. However, if dental x-rays are required, your abdomen should be shielded.
• If your dentist is considering a general anesthetic, please check with us first.
12. Flying
• Flying a commercial airplane poses no unusual risk to your pregnancy.
• Ask your travel agent if written permission from your physician or nurse midwife is required for your flight.
• As long as you are having an uncomplicated pregnancy, you may fly prior to the last 4–6 weeks of pregnancy.
13. Headaches
• Increase your rest.
• Use cold compresses on your face, forehead, or back of neck.
• Massage head and/or neck.
• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 3–4 hours, but do not exceed 6–8 tablets per day. Aspirin should be avoided during pregnancy unless your physician or nurse midwife orders it. Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Aleve) should also be avoided during pregnancy.
If you have severe headaches that are not relieved by the above methods, please notify us.
Some headaches can be avoided by maintaining a stable
blood sugar with frequest high-protein shakes
14. Heartburn
• Avoid over-eating. Eat 4–5 small meals each day rather than 1–3 large ones.
• Sleep in a semi-reclining position if heartburn is worse at night.
• Gaviscon, Riopan, Mylanta (antacids), or Maalox Heartburn Relief Formula may be used as directed without a prescription after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
• Warm spearmint tea that is tea leaves and spearmint leaves with no herbs
will aleviate heartburn.
15. Hemorrhoids
• Avoid constipation.
• Drink at least 10 glasses of fluids per day.
• Use Tucks or moistened cotton balls for cleansing after each bowel movement.
• Anusol or Preparation-H may be used as directed without prescription. You may also use
Anusol-HC.
16. Hot Tubs
• Hot tubs may be used for brief periods (10 minutes or less) if they are clean and at a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
17. Intercourse
• Intercourse is permissible during pregnancy as long as it is comfortable.
• Avoid intercourse in cases of miscarriage, premature labor, bleeding, or leakage of fluid from the vagina.
18. Pain (abdominal)
• If you have severe abdominal pain, please call us immediately. Do not wait for office hours.
19. Painting
• Paint in well ventilated areas only.
• Avoid prolonged inhalation of vapors.
20. Perms, hair coloring & acrylic nails
• All are permissible during pregnancy, as long as the area is well ventilated.
21. Ruptured Membranes (loss of fluid from vagina)
• If you feel like you are losing fluid from the vagina, please call us immediately.
22. Temperature
• For a temperature greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, please call us.
• For a temperature less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, do the following:
• Take your temperature twice a day for 10 days to see if a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit occurs
• Increase your rest and fluid intake
• Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 3–4 hours, but do not exceed 6–8 tablets per day; aspirin should be avoided during pregnancy unless ordered by your physician or nurse midwife; ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Aleve) should also be avoided during pregnancy
23. Urinary Tract Infection
Call us if you have one or more of the following:
• Painful or burning urination
• A feeling of urgency to urinate
• Blood in your urine
• One-sided back pain
• A fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Chilling
24. Vaginitus
• Call us if your vaginal discharge burns, itches, or smells bad.
A
Guide for Expecting Parents