Frequently-asked questions about pregnancy If you have morning sickness... If you are constipated... If you have heartburn... If you have round ligament pain... What about medications in pregnancy... - If you have morning sickness: Eat a piece of toast or a cracker on rising or before getting out of bed. Early in the day, eat lightly and frequently. Avoid liquid with your meals. Avoid gassy vegetables (cabbage, family and those with strong flavor or coarse texture). Cooked vegetables and canned fruits will be more easily tolerated. By lunchtime, food tolerance has usually increased and a well-balanced meal may be eaten. - If you are constipated: Raw vegetables are excellent. Eat raw fruits plus one serving of prunes or prune juice daily. You may also try drinking lemon juice with water before breakfast. Maintain fluid intake to at least 10 glasses per day even though you may experience urgency. Eating meals regularly is most important. - If you have heartburn: Avoid highly seasoned (spicy) foods. Avoid fried foods. Decrease coarse textured foods (i.e., those that require a lot of chewing -- apples, celery, etc.) Eat small meals often rather than large meals. Avoid liquids with meals. They should be taken at least a half-hour before or after meals. Never lie down after a meal. It is better that you sit. If problems still persist, speak to your doctor. Avoid the use of bicarbonate of soda. - If you have round ligament pain: One of the most common complaints of pregnancy is so-called round ligament pain. This is also known as round ligament strain or round ligament syndrome. The round ligaments are two cord-like structures made of the same smooth muscle tissue as the rest of the uterus. They extend from the top of the uterus on either side down through the abdominal wall and the fibers terminate in the vulva. During pregnancy, they stretch and grow with the rest of the uterus, and this is sometimes painful. This pain may occur on either or both sides, anywhere along the course of either ligament. It is often aggravated by walking, changing position in bed, or by fetal movement but may occur for no apparent reason at all. It is most common in pregnancies after the first one and most common in the mid-trimester, although it may occur early or late in the pregnancy as well.   Its only symptom is sharp, cramping or stretching pain somewhere along the course of one of the ligaments. Sometimes it is severe enough to raise a question of some other condition such as appendicitis, kidney stones, placental abruption, or labor. However, round ligament pain is only pain unless it is associated with nausea, diarrhea, fever, bleeding, or contractions you can feel with your hand. If this is the case, the pain is from another source, and you should contact your physician.   Round ligament pain is not dangerous to your or your baby. The treatment consists of rest, a heating pad, and something for pain, such as Tylenol. If you need something stronger for it or have other questions, let us know.   - What about medications in pregnancy? It is best to avoid any medications during pregnancy if at all possible. However, some medications that have not been found to cause any problems during pregnancy may be taken.   YOU MAY TAKE For headaches, aches and pain... Tylenol (acetaminophen) For coughs or congestion... Robitussin (plain or DM) For sinus congestion and allergy... Sudafed (regular or 12 hour) For cold symptoms... Chlor-Trimeton Sucrets   For itching and allergies... Benadryl For skin rashes... Cortisone creams (over the counter) Neosporin   For constipation/gastrointestinal problems... Citrucel or Metamucil Fibercon Colace Milk of Magnesia   For diarrhea... Kaopectate Imodium AD Mylanta II   For indigestion... Riopan Plus Tums Maalox   For hemorrhoids... Tucks pads, Anusol, Preparation H For yeast infections... Monistat   OKAY IN LIMITED AMOUNTS Foods NutraSweet Caffeine   DO NOT TAKE UNLESS PRESCRIBED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN Aspirin Strong Laxatives Advil/Nuprin/Aleve Enemas or Douches Alka-Seltzer Multi-symptom cold medications Hormones or Birth Control Pills Old Prescriptions Alcohol or alcohol-containing medications Nicotine   DO NOT STOP Medications prescribed for medical problems such as seizures, hypertension, diabetes or asthma.   DO Discuss these medications with us or the prescribing physician as soon as you know you are pregnant.
	Home page   Our doctors   FAQs   Insurance info   Find us   Office info   Contact us   Medical links   Office Visit Registration Form   Notice of Privacy Practices Patient Education   Prepared Childbirth Registration Form   Administrative Office   Initial/Annual Visit Form   Prenatal Genetic Screening Options       Copyright © 2007 by Richmond OB-Gyn Associates Contact the webmaster |  Web page by Clients2You