You will receive a prescription for prenatal vitamins, a combination of multivitamins and iron supplement. Take one vitamin each day. Despite adequate nutrition, your food intake cannot satisfy the demands of pregnancy. During pregnancy, we request that you limit your medication intake to prenatal vitamins and to those medications approved by our office.
Pain/Fever
We recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) for low grade fevers, headaches, and minor aches and pains. If your fever reaches 101 degrees or higher, or if symptoms persist, please call our office.
Common cold/Seasonal Allergies
The common cold is typically viral. It is important to stay well hydrated and get plenty of re st. If you have a cough you can take Robitussin. If you develop a fever over 101 F, call our office. For seasonal allergies we recommend Claritin , Zyrtec, or Allegra. Avoid all medications containing a decongestant. Benedryl also safe but can cause drowsiness.
Heartburn
Can be relieved by eating small bland snacks and avoiding laying down immediately after eating. If medication is needed to treat heartburn, you may use an antacid such as Tums, Maalox, Riopan, or Gaviscon.
Controlling Nausea
We prefer you avoid medications for nausea in pregnancy. Nausea is a very common and normal symptom , which can usually be controlled by eating small frequent meals and bland foods such as toast, crackers, jello, and carbonated beverages at room temperature. Avoid greasy and spicy foods if you are nauseated. Fortunately, nausea usually resolved by 14-16 weeks.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
is most commonly caused by viral infections or bacterial infections such as food poisoning. Some women may also experience vomiting during pregnancy, usually not accompanied by diarrhea. Viral infections are usually self-limiting and will resolve in a few days. If symptoms persist, call our office. Sometimes anti-diarrheal medications can help like Imodium AD or Kaopectate. It’s very important to stay well hydrated (water, clear juices, clear sodas, Jello, broth) and eat a bland diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).
TB Testing During Pregnancy
TB testing during pregnancy is acceptable if needed. Our preference is to wait for TB testing until after pregnancy. If you have questions regarding TB testing, please speak to your provider.
When to Call
- Persistent and frequent vomiting
- If you have a fever that reaches 101 or higher