Discomforts in Pregnancy

Pain or headache:

• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) up to 32 weeks pregnant. Tylenol and Motrin may be used together.
• To alleviate a migraine headache, drink a caffeinated beverage with Tylenol and Motrin
• Increse water intake
• Magnesium ( Natural Calm)
• Sleep
• Cold compress

Cold, runny nose:

• Vaporizer at bedside
• Vitamin C 1000mg every 3-4 hours
• Zinc 30mg daily
• Elderberry syrup
• Garlic
• Vicks VapoRub
• Nasal irrigation: 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 8 oz. warm water. Irrigate nasal passages 3-4 times daily
• Cepastat lozenges or throat sprays
• Afrin (oxymetazoline)—theoretic precautions in IUGR cases
• Antihistamines
  • Chlor-trimetron (chlorpheniramine)—after 12 weeks pregnant
  • Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)—after 12 weeks pregnant
  • Novahistine—after 12 weeks pregnant
  • Tylenol cold and sinus—after 12 weeks pregnant
  • Advil cold and sinus—after 12 weeks and before 32 weeks pregnant
  • Claritin (loratadine)—after 12 weeks
  • Zyrtec—after 12 weeks
  • Mucinex D—after 12 weeks

Cough:

• Robitussin (guaifenesin)—after 12 weeks pregnant
• Delsym (dextromethorphan)
• Any over the counter cough/throat lozenge

Sinus tenderness:

• Vaporizer/Vicks VapoRub
• Antihistamines as above
• Saline nasal spray/irrigation
• Afrin (oxymetazoline)
• Warm packs to eyes and sinuses

Heartburn/Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):

• Papaya enzymes
• Tums
• Maalox
• Pepcid (famotidine)
• Zantac (ranitidine)
• Pepto Bismol: do not use during pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting

• Strategies
  • Avoid odors and triggers
  • Avoid spicy and fatty foods
  • Omit iron supplement
  • Eat bland, dry high protein foods
  • Eat small frequent meals with fluids between
  • Avoid an empty stomach
  • Keep crackers at bedside; eat before rising

• Alternative therapies
  • Ginger: ginger ale or capsules (250mg 4 times per day taken orally)
  • Vitamin B6
  • P6 elastic wristband (acupuncture point)
• Antihistamines
  • Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) 50mg 4 times per day
  • Antivert (meclizine) 25mg 3 times per day
  • Vistaril (hydroxyzine) 25-50mg 4 times per day
  • Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 25mg 3 times per day

Hemorrhoids:

• Increase fluids
• Drink Natural Calm
• Increase fiber through diet or supplementation as above for constipation
• Avoid straining with defecation and avoid prolonged times on the toilet ( use a squatty potty)
• Use sitz baths to soothe
• Try topical therapies~ Witch hazel, Tucks, Preparation H, Hydrocortisone and epi-foam

Diarrhea:

(Call your care provider if symptoms last more than 24-48 hours)

• Clear liquids/bland diet until symptoms resolve
• Imodium AD

Constipation:

• Water consumption should be at least 8-10 glasses of water per day
• High fiber diet
• Fiber laxatives such as Metamucil, Citrucel, Fibercon
• Milk of magnesia
• Magnesium Citrate—120 to 240 mL orally
• Glycerine suppositories