During your pregnancy, you may have questions about colds, nausea, indigestion, etc. Here is a list of medications and suggestions that will help you.

If you try these with no relief, please call our office and speak with the OB Nurse Sheree at (864) 797-9200.

NAUSEA: You may find that an empty stomach makes nausea worse. Eating small amounts of bland food several times during the day may help. Do not go longer than 2 hours without eating and/or drinking. Avoid spicy foods or foods high in acid content. These types of foods may cause you to have indigestion and heartburn. You may want to try ginger tea, peppermint, ginger snap cookies (small amounts/high sugar & calories). Try eating a peanut butter sandwich before bed to keep blood sugar control at night and will help with waking up not as nauseous. Vitamin B6, Emetrol & Dramamine will also help control nausea & vomiting. The most important thing to remember is: DO NOT GET DEHYDRATED. If you can't keep down liquids, try jello, popsicles, flat Ginger Ale or Sprite.

INDIGESTION: Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, Pepcid AC, Zantac. Sleeping a little elevated may help keep acids down. Again, avoid spicy, fried foods.

DIARRHEA: Kaopectate or Imodium AD as directed. If diarrhea persists more than two (2) days, please call our office.

COUGHS & COLDS: If you think you have a cold or sinus infection, you can try several over the counter medications such as: Sudafed, Tylenol Cold & Sinus, Claritin, Benadryl, Dimetapp or Robitussin (plain or DM). If you are used to taking Allegra, we can call in a prescription for that. You can use cough drops, throat spray, and/or saline drops for your nose. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

CONSTIPATION: We suggest that you drink eight 8oz glasses of water daily. If you need extra help with constipation you can try Metamusil or Hyrocil with your water or juice once or twice a day as needed. Milk of Magnesia, Ducolax tablets or suppositories and fleet enemas are also ok. REMEMBER your prenatal vitamins have iron in them and iron sometimes will make you constipated. That is why it is important to drink plenty of water and get exercise.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE/ITCHING: During your pregnancy some vaginal discharge is normal due to hormonal changes. If however, you begin to experience itching, irritation and/or rawness, you may try the following over the counter medications: Gynelotrimin, Monistat, Femstat, etc. If symptoms persist after treatment, call our office for further instructions.

FEVER: Use Tylenol (plain or extra strength). If your fever persists or is present with another illness, please call our office.

URINARY TRACT INFECTION: CALL OUR OFFICE FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

TENDER BREASTS: Wear a good supportive bra. It may also help to wear a bra to bed.

LEAKING BREASTS: Wear nursing pads in your bra.

FATIGUE: Try to exercise daily and lie down and rest at least once a day.

LOW BACK PAIN: Rest often, keep good posture, move around rather than standing in one place too long. Use a footstool for your feet. Keep your knees higher than your hips. Wear low heeled shoes.

DIZZINESS: Change your position slowly. Get up slowly when you have been lying down. Eat regular meals. Do not stay in the sun too long or get too hot. Report any dizzy spells to the office.

PAIN IN LEGS: Change positions, if you are sitting down then stand up, and vice versa.

TROUBLE SLEEPING: Try a warm bath before you go to bed. Drinking milk may also help.

SWELLING IN HANDS/FEET: Lie on your LEFT side for 30 minutes. Do this 3-4 times per day. Drink more fluids. Eat 3 servings of protein per day.

BLEEDING GUMS: Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently. Drink more orange juice and eat more foods high in Vitamin C.

In general, if you are using an over the counter medication, always follow package instructions. If you have concerns regarding medical problems you encounter, please contact our office. If you have any questions concerning your health or the health of your unborn child please call our office immediately. Our OB Nurse (Sheree) can be reached at (864) 797-9200.