****Medication should be used only after you have tried all measures listed above the medications.

Colds or Congestion

·         Get extra rest.

·         Increase fluids (water).

·         Use vaporizer in home.

·         Warm compress to face.

·         Use a Neti pot to wash sinuses after applying a warm compress to face or after getting out of shower.

·         Saline nose spray.

·         Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) ONLY USE AFTER 14 WEEKS GESTATION

·         Afrin nasal spray for congestion. Only use for 3 days and no longer.

·         Mucinex (guaifenesin) to break up congestion in chest.

 

****If you have a fever greater than 100.4 contact your provider. Also call with sinus pressure that has lasted for more than 8 days with green nasal drainage. ****

 

Constipation

·         Increase fluid (water). You should be drinking half of your body weight in oz. Example: If you weigh 180 lbs. you would divide weight in ½, which is 90. You should be drinking 90 oz. of fluid every day.

·         Increase high-fiber foods (bran cereals, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, prunes).

·         Increase exercise, such as walking. Not moving can increase constipation.

·         Can take a stool softener, such as Colace (docusate sodium) 100 mg twice per day to soften stool. If you get diarrhea decrease to once per day.

·         Can take Metamucil or Fibercon (psyllium) 1-2 times per day to help bulk up stool.

·         Do not use laxatives without discussing with your provider.

 

Cough and/or sore throat

·         Increase fluids.

·         Get extra rest.

·         Warm liquids with honey and lemon.

·         Gargle with warm salt water.

·         Tylenol (acetaminophen) 1,000 mg every 6 hours as needed for pain.

·         Robitussin (dextromethorphan) for cough.

·         Mucinex (guaifenesin) to help break up congestion.

 

****Call provider with a persistent fever greater than 100.4 degrees or if you think you have strep throat****

 

Difficulty sleeping

·         No television or electronics in bed.

·         Warm bath prior to bed.

·         Make sure you have enough pillows in bed to get comfortable (one between legs and one under belly).

·         Avoid daytime napping.

·         May take Benadryl 25 mg or 50 mg if necessary or Tylenol PM 2 tabs. If you use it frequently it will stop working as effectively as it first did due a tolerance that builds up.

 

Diarrhea

·         Drink only clear liquids for 24 hours (water, juice, ginger ale, Gatorade, broth, jello, etc.).

·         Drinking fluids to replace the fluids lost from diarrhea is important.

·         Gradually add in small amounts of solid foods when your diarrhea starts to improve.

·         May use Kaopectate if diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days.

·         Call provider if you are having diarrhea more than 2-3 days and is greater than 6 times per day for 2-3 days.

 

Hemorrhoids

·         Avoid constipation! See instructions above on constipation.

·         Do not drink caffeine.

·         Do a Sitz bath 3 times per day.

·         Only use witch hazel pads for 3 days.

·         Use hypoallergenic baby wipes after you have a bowel movement.

·         Use Preparation H two times per day for external hemorrhoids for 2 weeks.

·         Use Anusol HC suppositories 1-2 times per day for internal hemorrhoids.

 

Indigestion or Heartburn

·         Eat small, frequent meals 5-6 times per day.

·         Avoid fatty, fried, acidic, and spicy foods. Eat more bland foods.

·         Sit up after meals for 30 minutes.

·         Drink fluids between meals rather than with meals.

·         May use Tums or Rolaids. If these medications aren’t helping please talk with your provider about other options.

§  Do not take Pepto Bismol or Alka-Seltzer

 

Minor Pain

·         Rest, massage, and warm baths can help decrease pain.

·         Warm, moist heat. You can fill a clean sock with rice and close it with a rubber band. Heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warm. Be careful not to burn your skin (it should be warm not hot).

·         Stretching and getting on your hands and knees can help decrease back pain.

·         Remember to use good body mechanics.

·         A maternity support belt can help decrease lower back pain. Some insurances may cover this so ask your provider for a script if you are having back pain.

·         Tylenol (acetaminophen) 1,000 mg every 6 hours as needed for pain. Do not take Motrin (ibuprofen) unless you have spoken to your provider first.

 

Nausea

·         Eat small, frequent meals. Nausea is more common on an empty stomach.

·         Eat a protein snack at bedtime.

·         Eat dry crackers, lemon drops, ginger cookies or toast before getting up in the morning.

·         Make sure each snack and meal contains a source of protein to keep blood sugars stable.

·         Don’t brush your teeth right when you get up in the morning or right after you eat breakfast. This is when your gag reflex is most susceptible to being sensitive and can cause you to vomit.

·         Keep a warm can of unopened ginger ale at your bedside (needs to contain real ginger like Canada Dry) and take sips of it in the morning.

·         Suck on lemon drops throughout the day when you are nauseated.

·         Avoid foods with strong or offensive flavors or odors.

·         Decrease the fat in your diet because it is hard to digest.

·         Try acupressure wrist bands to help with nausea. They are available at any pharmacy.

·         Stop prenatal vitamins until nausea resolves and just take folic acid 400 mg daily.

·         For mild nausea without vomiting you can take Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 25mg by mouth every 8 hours.

·         For moderate nausea with mild vomiting, or if you are not getting relief from the Vitamin B6, you can add Unisom (doxylamine) 12.5 mg (1/2 tab) by mouth at bedtime and continue taking the Vitamin B6 every 8 hours.

·         Unisom can cause drowsiness. Start with bedtime doses for 4-5 nights to decrease the drowsiness.

·         If after 4-5 days and you still have no relief, try Unisom 25 mg (1 tablet) by mouth at bedtime and 12.5 mg (1/2 tablet) in the morning. If you tolerate the morning dose of Unisom and aren’t feeling too drowsy then you can add ½ a tablet in the midafternoon. Continue to take the Vitamin B6 every 8 hours.

*****If you take the bedtime dose it helps with morning nausea, a morning dose helps with afternoon nausea, and the afternoon dose can help with evening nausea so adjust taking the Unisom to the times you experience the most nausea. ***

 

Swelling

·         Continue to increase your fluids.

·         Elevated swollen areas (above the level of your heart with pillows if you are lying down) for 30 minutes 2 to 3 times per day.

·         Continue to move and change positions.

·         Wear compression stockings or support hose. If you do not have any talk with your provider.

 

Varicosities

·         Apply support stockings before getting out of bed. If you don’t have them talk to your provider.

·         Avoid wearing restrictive clothing.

·         Avoid crossing your legs.

·         Take time to rest and elevate your legs.

·         For vaginal varicosities, you can put two thick pads in your underwear so that it applies pressure to the varicosities. You can also purchase a V2 supporter from Amazon.

If you have any questions or would like more information please call our office at (315)788-2003.