Eat Small Frequent Meals

COMMON DISCOMFORT DURING PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Nausea and Vomiting:  Eat small frequent meals This usually occurs during the first 13 weeks of  Avoid greasy, spicy and fried food pregnancy and is often referred to as “morning  Light snack of carbohydrates (crackers, bread, sickness”. However, these symptoms can occur etc.) any time during the day or night. For some before getting out bed in the morning women, symptoms may occur throughout the  Stay hydrated with small sips of liquid entire pregnancy. This is caused by the reaction  Avoid having an empty stomach of the stomach and intestines to the increase in hormones related to your pregnancy. Heartburn:  Eat small frequent meals Caused by a bubbling of stomach acid into the  Sit upright for 30‐60 minutes after eating esophagus. It is usually described as a burning  Prop your head and shoulders up on a pillow sensation, first in the stomach and then rising into while the throat. sleeping  Mylanta – all available forms, Maalox, Tums, Pepcid AC,  Pepcid Complete, Tagamet HB200, Zantac 75 Flatulence (Gas):  Avoid gas forming foods (e.g. cabbage family, Slowing of intestinal activity leads to fried accumulation of gas. food, carbonated beverages, very sweet desserts, any food that normally does not agree with you)  Mylanta – all available forms  Simethicone Constipation:  Increase fluid intake Also caused by a slowing of the intestinal activity  Increase fiber intake by eating raw fruits and and vegetables, whole grain breads, and bran cereals pressure of a growing uterus. Several things  Daily exercise will be beneficial contribute to constipation during pregnancy, iron  Colace, Metamucil, Citracel, Effer‐syllium supplements, not drinking enough water, lack of  Fiber One Cereal exercise and lack of adequate fiber in diet. Swelling in Feet and Hands:  Elevate feet several times a day Pressure of the uterus on veins returning from the  Lie on your left side to improve circulation lower part of the body interferes with normal  Restrict intake of foods high in sodium (salt). blood flow. This can cause swelling in the hands Do NOT and feet. If you experience sudden or unusual use table salt. swelling that does not go away, call the office. If  Increase water intake one foot or hand is significantly more swollen than the other notify our office immediately. Varicose Veins:  Elevate feet several times a day This is due to the interference of blood flow by the  When on your feet, move around to encourage expanding uterus. better  Circulation  Support hose may be used to help relieve discomfort Hemorrhoids:  Use the steps described to relieve constipation Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the rectum. since They straining with bowel movements can make are common during pregnancy and in the hemorrhoids worse postpartum  Witch hazel compresses period. Usually they shrink or resolve within the  Sitz baths weeks following delivery.  Increase water and fiber  Preparation H, Anusol HC, Tucks Shortness of Breath:  Some relief may be given by extending arms This is caused by a crowding of the diaphragm by above the uterus. head  Sleep with head elevated on pillows Backache:  Avoid undue strain by using good body This is due to several body changes in pregnancy, mechanics muscle fatigue, change in the center of gravity and  When standing for long periods, try to keep one pressure from the growing uterus. foot on a stool or book. Change elevated foot often  When sitting for long periods, get up and walk around  Heating pad (low to medium heat) applied 20 minutes  on 20 minutes off Leg Cramps:  Stand up or change position This may be caused by several factors: stretching  Apply counter pressure at the bottom of the foot of muscles, circulatory impairment, or by a  If cramp is in calf, extend leg out and bring foot mineral imbalance. back toward knee to help relax muscle  Os‐Cal or Caltrate Urinary Frequency:  Drink plenty of fluids This is caused by pressure on the bladder by the  Empty bladder often, to help prevent an enlarging uterus. infection  Call physician if burning with urination or fever develops Insomnia:  Use relaxation techniques to help induce sleep There are many possible causes, including  Discuss any concerns with your provider shortness of breath, general discomfort, or anxieties about the pregnancy and baby. Vaginal Discharge:  No treatment for normal pregnancy vaginal Discharge is normally increased during discharge pregnancy.  If yeast infection use Monistat 7 or Gyne‐ Lotrimin  Call physician if symptoms worsen or do not resolve Itching and Stretching of Skin:  Use a non‐irritation, unscented soap and rinse This usually occurs on the abdomen in mid to late well pregnancy.  Cream or lotion may reduce itching but will not prevent stretch marks Allergies:  Limit your exposure to anything that triggers Allergy symptoms may be worse, same or any improved allergy symptoms during pregnancy.  Try saline nasal spray  Rinse your nasal cavity with a neti pot  Benedryl, Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec Cold/Sinus/Nasal Congestion:  Increase fluid intake Pregnancy can cause mucous membranes to swell  Rest making it difficult to get rid of coughs, colds, etc.  Use a steam vaporizer to help loosen secretions Prevention is key. Eat well, and get plenty of rest  Fever of 101o F or higher call your physician and exercise. Also avoid people who are  Saline nasal spray contagious if possible.  Sudafed, Sudafed PE, Mucinex, Mucinex D Cough:  Increase fluid intake Most upper respiratory infections are NOT caused  Cough Drops (avoid licorice flavor) by bacterial infections but by viruses which to not  Robitussin plain or DM respond to antibiotics. A virus may take several  Call your physician with fever of 101o F or weeks to run their course. higher Diarrhea:  Increase fluid intake Diarrhea may result from a number of causes  Drink a couple of glasses of Gatorade during pregnancy. The more common culprits  Call your physician if diarrhea lasts more than 2 include a lactose intolerance, dietary or hormonal days changes or sensitivities to certain foods while pregnant.