Medicines for Mommies
This guide will help answer some questions about using medicines during pregnancy. Please feel free to ask us any questions left unanswered.
Prenatal Vitamins: Every pregnant woman should be taking vitamins. Non-prescription prenatal vitamins are fine. If you are having trouble taking a prenatal vitamin because of nausea, constipation, or some other reason, please discuss it with us. We can find solutions for most problems. Taking the vitamin with your largest meal or before bedtime usually decreases problems.
Calcium: Most prenatal vitamins have very little calcium in them, usually 200mg. (Natafort has no calcium.) You need 1200 mg of Calcium every day to build your babies’ bones. You can get your calcium from your diet or a supplement. To get all the calcium from your diet you would have to eat and drink 4 portions (300mg) a day: an 8oz glass of milk, a cup of yogurt, a large portion of cheese, or a bowl of ice cream. If you don't like milk, that is not a problem. Don't drink a lot of chocolate milk just to get calcium. 8oz Tropicana Pure Premium calcium fortified orange juice has 350mg of calcium. The Viactive chocolate chews have 500mg of calcium in each square. At the end of the day, while brushing your teeth, count up how much calcium you got. Take the calcium that is missing as a calcium tablet or Tums. There is a 600mg extra strength Tums, and a 400mg regular strength Tums.
Allergies: Many women can stay on their allergy medicine during pregnancy. It you just need and antihistamine occasionally, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) or Chlortimaton are fine. Remember that many decongestants, like Afrin (Oxymetazoline HCL), can cause dependence or rebound congestion.
Backache: is common in pregnancy. Hot water bottles are great for carrying around the house. Heating pads and hot baths help, too…so do massages from a loving family member or friend. Back support belts can be bought at some maternity stores. See Pain Relief.
Colds: Colds are usually caused by viruses, so an antibiotic will not help in most cases. All you can do is treat each symptom.
Aches: Rest is the best thing. See Pain Relief.
Congestion: Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine HCL) helps congestion. In the last month of pregnancy please ask us about using Sudafed. It can raise your blood pressure. Remember that many decongestants, like Afrin (Oxymetazoline HCL), can cause dependence or rebound congestion. It you have old decongestants in your cabinet, make sure they do not contain phenylpropanolamine, it has been pulled from the market.
Cough: Use Robitussin (Guaifenesin) with or without DM = dextromethorphan. Check to be sure the product does not contain alcohol. Cough drops are fine. For strong coughs, ask us for a prescription cough suppressant.
Runny Nose: Antihistamines dry up body fluids. Chlortimaton and Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) work well. Please drink lots of fluids it you take them.
Sore Throat: Cough drops and Throat Lozenges. A hot steam vaporizer at night will help many symptoms. See Pain Relief.
Constipation is easy to prevent. Ask for a prenatal vitamin with a stool softener in it. Drink lots of fluids. Buy a stool softener called Docusate Sodium (Colace). It is a red gel capsule. Take 2 at night with half glass of water if you did not have a soft, painless bowel movement that day. This will prevent constipation the following day. If you need the stool softener every night that is all right. It will not harm the baby. It will not cause you to be dependent on it like a laxative can. If you are still having hard stools using docusate sodium at night, start drinking a teaspoon full of Metamucil (powdered fiber) every morning in a glass of water. Cereals with good fiber are "All Bran with Extra Fiber", "Raisin Bran" and "Fiber One." If you already have bad constipation use Milk of Magnesia or a Fleet enema or both. Rectal Glycerin suppositories are safe. See Hemorrhoids for more information.
Diarrhea: You can use Kaopectate or Imodium (Loperamide HCL) over the counter. If this does not work, ask us for a prescription medicine. Remember to drink lots of fluids, especially sports drinks.
Fever: Call the office if you have a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. For lower fever, use Tylenol. See Pain Relief for doses. Remember to drink a lot of fluids and rest.
Gas Pain: Use products with Simethicone or Mylicon like Mylanta Gas or Maalox Anti-Gas or a generic brand. Drops, tablets and gel tabs are all fine.
Heartburn or Indigestion: is common all through pregnancy. Tums often helps – see Calcium. You can also use Maalox or Mylanta. Do not use Pepto-Bismol or other products containing Bismuth. Avoid Alka-Seltzer (contains Aspirin).
Headaches: can be frequent in early pregnancy. See Pain Relief. There are prescription pain medications for migraines.
Hemorrhoids: The best way to prevent Hemorrhoids is to prevent Constipation – read this. If you already have hemorrhoids they may not go away during pregnancy, but you can prevent them from getting worse by preventing constipation.
If your hemorrhoids are painful or bleeding you need to treat them. Buy an over the counter hemorrhoid medicine. Ointment is a better water repellant than cream. Make sure it has 1% Cortisone in it for healing. Buy the least expensive brand. Usually Preparation H is the most expensive. Witch Hazel Pads (Tucks medicated pads) help too. For severe pain there are prescription medicines.
Ligament Pain: is the most common from 15 – 20 weeks for pregnancy. The ligaments that hold the uterus in place begin stretching. The pains are usually sudden and sharp in the lower pelvic area. They do not last a long time. These pains are harmless. Contact us for any sharp pains that last for a long time, or if there is also a fever.
Nausea and Vomiting: This usually gets better after the first trimester, unless it is caused by illness. If none of your tricks are working, ask us about a prescription.
Pain Relief: Tylenol is the only over the counter that you can use. NSAIDS like Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are not safe in late pregnancy. We do use them in certain situations, but please only take them when we advise it. Avoid Aspirin also. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is safe for the baby, if taken correctly. Regular strength is 325mg. Two every 4 hours is the correct dose. Only take 3 for a very strong pain. Extra strength is 500mg. Two every 6 hours is the correct dose for very strong pain. Try to take just 1 and ½ tablets or 2 regular strength tabs. Never take 3 extra strength. If this does not help enough, ask us. There are prescription pain relievers we can give you.
Sciatic Pain: The sciatic nerve is the biggest nerve in the body. It runs from the buttocks down the back of the legs. It gets irritated easily in pregnancy and produces sharp pains. These pains are harmless, but they can make movement difficult. Pain relievers may help some. A few women will need to get physical therapy, which can help a lot. Some women will need to limit activity.
Sleeping Problems: Women complain the most about trouble sleeping at the end of pregnancy. One or two Benadryl 25mg 1 hour before bed is not harmful to the baby and may help you sleep. If you need more help, ask us.
Yeast: In pregnancy the body is much sweeter. Yeast loves this. You can help prevent yeast by avoiding a very sugary diet (including drinks and starches). Taking acidophilus (a healthy milk bacteria) wards off yeast. It is found in most "probiotic" supplements or in certain milk and yogurt, if the label says so. Avoid yogurt with sugar in it. Take it twice a day, if you have yeast or are on an antibiotic. Otherwise once a day is enough. All over the counter yeast medications are o.k. all through pregnancy. The yeast pill (Diflucan) can not be used in pregnancy.