Prenatal Care: Usual Complaints and Problems of Pregnancy

Nausea

• Eat dry crackers, toast, or cereal before getting up or when feeling sick.
• Eat 5-6 small meals a day.
• Drink water between meals but not during meals.
• Avoid strong food smells.
• Avoid greasy or spicy foods.
• Eat or drink products that contain ginger.
• Over-the-counter medications like Emetrol can help – use as directed.

 Cold symptoms

• Congestion may be relieved by using Vicks Vapor Rub and/or a cool mist vaporizer in your room at night.
• Plain over-the-counter Sudafed can relieve congestion – use as directed.
• Plain over-the-counter Robitussin can relieve coughing – use as directed.
• Extra Strength Tylenol can help overall body aches – 2 tablets every 4 hours as needed.
• If you do not have a thermometer, please buy one now.  It is important to be able to check your temperature and call us if it reads 101? F or above.

 Heartburn

• Drink fluids between meals not during meals.
• Avoid drinking fluids before bedtime.
• Avoid carbonated and caffeinated beverages.
• Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, and Maalox can help relieve heartburn – use as directed.

 Tender Breasts

• Wear a good bra. 
• Wear a bra to bed.

 Leaking Breasts

• Wear nursing pads or tissues in your bra to absorb the fluid.
• It is normal for your breasts to leak fluid even during early pregnancy.  You should contact your health care provider if the fluid is bloody or brownish.

 Frequent Urination

• Limit fluid intake before bedtime.  Be sure to drink plenty of fluids at other times of day.
• If burning with urination and urgency is present, talk to your health care       provider for possible urinary tract infection.

 Fatigue

• Lie down at least once a day to rest.
• Exercise each day.

• Eat raw fruits, vegetables, prunes, and whole grain or bran cereals.
• Exercise helps bowel movements stay regular.  Walking is very good exercise.
• Never hold back a bowel movement.
• Drink at least two quarts of fluid daily.
• A cup of hot water three times a day helps bowel movements stay regular.
• The following can be helpful if medication is needed: Colace, Metamucil, or Citacel – use as directed.  If unsuccessful, try Ducolax or milk of magnesia – use as directed.

 Hemorrhoids

• Try to keep bowel movements regular.
• Take short rests with hips lifted on a pillow.
• Practice the Kegal Exercise (clenching and unclenching of pelvic muscles).
• Preparation HC and Anusol HC can help relieve hemorrhoidal symptoms – use as directed.

 Low Backache

• Rest often.
• Keep good posture.
• Move around rather than standing in one place too long.
• Use a foot stool to elevate your feet.
• Keep your knees higher than your hips.
• Wear low heeled shoes.
• Use the Pelvic Rock Exercise.
• Extra Strength Tylenol can help backaches – 2 tablets every 4 hours as needed.

 Vaginal Discharge

• Bathe the outer vaginal area often.
• Use soap without perfume.
• Do not use vaginal sprays, powders, or feminine hygiene products.
• Do not use colored or perfumed toilet paper.
• Wear cotton panties.
• Avoid panty hose and tight fitting pants.
• If these hints do not help, ask your health care provider about the continued      symptoms.

 Dizziness

• Change positions slowly.
• Get up slowly when you have been lying down.
• Eat regular meals.
• Avoid lengthy sun exposure.
• Report any dizziness to your health care provider.

 Varicose Veins

• Avoid stockings with elastic bands.
• You may use support hose but put them on lying down.
• Take short rests with legs raised.
• Raise your legs when you sit down.

 Shooting Leg Pains

• Change positions (i.e. if you are sitting, stand up.  If you are standing, sit down).

 Lower Leg Cramps

• Elevate legs throughout day.
• Point toes upward while pressing down on kneecap.
• Use a heating pad or hot water bottle.
• Avoid meals at bedtime.
• Limit milk to 2 glasses a day.
• Extra Strength Tylenol can help overall body aches – 2 tablets every 4 hours as needed.

 Increased Secretions (mucous in nose/throat/mouth)

• Check with your health care provider.

 Trouble Sleeping

• Avoid meals at bedtime.
• Drinking warm milk before bed.
• Take a warm bath before bed.
• Practice relaxation exercises.

 Feel Faint When Lying on Your Back

• Lie on your left side.

 Swelling in Hands and Feet

• Lie on your left side for thirty minutes 3-4 times a day.
• Increase water intake, decrease carbonated beverages and salt.
• Eat three servings of protein daily.
• Call your health care provider to inform them of the fluid retention.  They may            want to see you in the office for evaluation.

 Bleeding Gums

• Brush gently with a soft toothbrush.
• Drink orange juice and eat foods high in vitamin C.

 False Labor

• Change your position and your activity.  If it is true labor, the cramping will not stop.
• You may feel true contractions more in your back.

 Diarrhea

• BRATT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, tea, and toast. 
• Avoid juices
• Increase water to avoid dehydration.
• Over-the-counter Imodium AD – use as directed.
• If Imodium does not work, Lomotil can be prescribed.

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