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TREATING MINOR ILLNESSES IN PREGNANCY
There are a number of
common illnesses you may experience while pregnant. This sheet offers
some helpful suggestions for dealing with the aches and pains associated
with colds, allergies, headaches, and some digestive problems.
Certainly, we want you to call our office if these measures have not
been helpful, or if you feel that a medication not listed here is
indicated. The medications listed below appear to be safe in pregnancy.
It is important to stress that there are a variety of steps to take in
treating illnesses, many of which recommend changing behavior or dietary
habits, rather than going directly to medications. While waiting to see
your doctor, please take a moment to look through our reference library
of helpful information in the waiting room.
HEADACHES, MUSCLE
STRAINS and FEVER
Headaches and Fever:
Unfortunately, headaches are very common in pregnancy. Lying down in a
quiet, dark place, using an ice pack and making time to rest are helpful
for headaches. TYLENOL (2 regular or extra-strength tablets as directed)
appears to be the safest of the pain medications and fever reducers in
pregnancy.
**Talk with your doctor if
you are using Tylenol every day for headaches, since there are other
safe medications that he or she may prescribe.
Muscle Strains:
Applying a heating pad with ice packs and resting the affected area will
speed up recovery from muscle strains. TYLENOL is also helpful as well.
Be sure to use proper body mechanics when lifting, bending and
stretching to eliminate sources of muscle strains.
Fever: TYLENOL is
always recommended for significant fever. If your temperature is greater
than 101, please call the office for instructions—make sure you have a
working thermometer!
THE COMMON COLD
Most people, pregnant or
not, will get sick with a cold about once a year. Symptoms tend to last
a little longer in pregnant women, so patience is an important part of
the treatment. The very best medicine for a cold is REST and FLUIDS
(mostly water—about 8 glasses per day).
Runny nose: In the
early part of a cold, BENADRYL, ZYRTEC, or CLARITIN can be very helpful.
Congestion: If
you’re experiencing a stuffy nose, steamy showers twice a day, combined
with increased fluid intake will help break up nasal congestion. SUDAFED
(a decongestant) can improve congestion as well. Use 2 regular strength
tablets (30mg) as directed. ACTIFED is similar to SUDAFED, and is
helpful at night, since it also contains an antihistamine, which will
assist with sleep.
** Avoid SUDAFED and
ACTIFED if you have high blood pressure! AFRIN NASAL SPRAY (as directed)
is immediately effective for nasal congestion, but should not be used
more than 1-2 times per day, and for no more than 2 consecutive days, or
it will actually worsen the symptoms it was used for in the first place!
Sore throats:
CHLORASEPTIC, CEPACOL, and SUCRETS are anesthetic sprays and lozenges
that can be very soothing for sore throat pain. TYLENOL is also
effective for severe sore throat pain.
Coughs: This is
often the symptom of a cold that lasts the longest. Again, pushing
fluids is very important, and standing in a steamy shower will help to
loosen thick secretions. ROBITUSSIN DM as directed is safe to use and
will thin bronchial secretions and make a dry cough more productive.
HEARTBURN
This is a common problem
in pregnancy, usually due to the high levels of progesterone your body
is now producing. Also in late pregnancy, the enlarging uterus is
pressing upward on the stomach and pushes acids back up into the
esophagus. Several easy tips which really will help are:
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“Graze” on small, frequent
meals instead of large overly-filling ones. Avoid spicy, fatty and
greasy foods. **Dry crackers to snack on may neutralize the acid
somewhat.
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Carry TUMS, MYLANTA,
RIOPAN or MAALOX with you and use it as directed.
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**Be careful—overusing
some of these medications can cause diarrhea!
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To avoid acid reflux, do
not eat before bedtime. Also, go to bed with your head elevated on
several pillows, or try sleeping in a recliner chair.
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If heartburn becomes
intolerable, you can try ZANTAC-75 or PEPCID-AC as directed.
DIARRHEA
Diarrhea is best treated
conservatively, since it is usually a self-limiting minor illness.
Pushing water-based fluids, eliminating dairy products for a day or two,
eating very bland foods (noodles, clear soups, bananas, rice and toast)
and resting are recommended first. KAOPECTATE and IMODIUM are safe
medications that can be used. **If diarrhea is bloody, is accompanied by
temperature >101, or is causing severe abdominal pain, you should call
your doctor right away.
CONSTIPATION
This common problem is
definitely best managed by changing dietary habits first! If you tend to
have difficulty with constipation, you need to make a special point in
pregnancy to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, accompanied by
other good sources of fiber and lots and lots of water every day. These
measures are critical to preventing constipation. Regular exercise is
important as well, as is going to the bathroom as soon as you have the
urge to go. In addition, METAMUCIL, CITRUCEL, FIBERCON (always with lots
of water) are excellent sources of fiber, and COLACE is a stool-softener
that can be taken 1-2 times daily. SENEKOT and MILK OF MAGNESIA are
gentle laxatives that can be used occasionally if constipation becomes
severe.
HEMORRHOIDS
Hemorrhoids are swollen
and painful blood vessels in the anal area, and are often aggravated by
chronic constipation and pregnancy. Using the dietary recommendations in
the above section, and getting off your feet and lying down as often as
possible is the best treatment for hemorrhoids. Soaking in a warm bath
several times a day, applying ice packs and avoiding straining during
bowel movements are very important. In addition, PREPARATION-H, ANUSOL,
and TUCKS pads can be helpful.
VAGINAL YEAST
INFECTIONS
Symptoms of a vaginal
yeast infection are itching, and a thick yellow-white discharge. Cotton
underwear, and avoiding restrictive clothing are also helpful. Treatment
is safe for both you and the baby, and includes MONISTAT, GYNELOTRIMIN,
and MYCELEX creams or suppositories. There are 3 and 7-day treatment
options you can buy. The 1-day treatments are not recommended, and in
fact, can be irritating. Douching is NOT recommended in pregnancy. If
yeast is not improved by the above medications, there are other
medications that your doctor can prescribe.
MEDICATIONS TO AVOID
IN PREGNANCY
Some medications not
described above can also be used safely in pregnancy when prescribed by
your physician. As a safety precaution for both you and your baby,
always call the office first if you believe a medication not listed
above will be helpful to you. Here are a few commonly used medications
that are generally NOT RECOMMENDED IN PREGNANCY:
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ASPIRIN
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TRANQUILIZERS
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PRIMATINE MIST
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MOTRIN
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SLEEPING PILLS
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IMITREX
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NUPRIN
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ADVIL
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DOUCHE PRODUCTS
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ALEVE
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PEPTO BISMOL
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DIET PILLS
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