Safe treatment recommendations
Common symptoms during pregnancy
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Pregnancy produces many changes in a person’s body in addition to the growing stomach. It’s common for pregnant women to experience new or worsening symptoms during this time. We created a list of common symptoms and some safe treatment options to manage these symptoms.
​Aches (back pain, headaches)
Warm heat (such as a bath) and/or comfortable massage; Tylenol​
Allergies
Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl, or Flonase​
Congestion
Coricidin, Ornacol, Actifed, Chlortrimeton (blue pill) or Sudafed
Diarrhea
Avoid greasy/spicy foods, dairy, fruits or vegetables.
Try a BRAT diet.
Kaopectate, Kaocon, Pepto-Bismol or Immodium AD
Fever <100.4
Tylenol (<3,000mg in 24 hours).
Ibuprofen and Aleve should be avoided
Headaches
Headaches are common in pregnancy, especially in 1st trimester with hormone shifts, other causes include stress, dehydration, low blood sugar, or caffeine withdrawal.
Tylenol (<3,000mg in 24 hours).
Caffeine (1 cup of coffee or tea)
Hydrate (Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily)
Cold or warm pack to head or base of neck.
Massage is safe
If you have a worsening headache despite these measures, develop visual problems or experience the worst headache of your life, please call us at (650) 596-4240/after hours at (650) 321-4121 or go to Urgent Care/ER.
Heartburn
Avoid spicy/greasy foods. Wait a couple of hours before lying down
Antacids: Riopan, Mylanta, Maalox, Rolaids or Tums after meals
Pepcid or Prilosec (omeprazole) daily
Hemorrhoids
Warm sitz bathes 15 minutes 4 times daily.
Hemorrhoid cream of your choice
Insomnia
Unisom, Benadryl or Tylenol PM as directed
Itchy Rash
Benadryl, OTC Hydrocortisone 1%, Aveeno Oatmeal Bath
Itchy skin (palms/soles) without a rash, notify your OB
Leg Cramps
Leg crams are common in pregnancy, most causes: dehydration, muscle strain, rare circulatory or nerve concerns.
Stretch your legs (especially your calves) before going to bed.
Avoid standing or sitting in one position for long periods of time. Exercise/walk, hydrate, try gentle massage or warm compress and take a warm bath with Epsom salts. TTry OTC Magnesium Gluconate 500 mg 1-2 tabs twice daily
When to talk to your health care provider:
You notice any redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness in your calf or leg, and/or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
Nausea/Morning Sickness
Small frequent meals, eat slowly, rest, no greasy, spicy, rich foods.
Drink fluids such as Gatorade
Vitamin B6 25mg and 1/2 Unisom tablet twice daily is safe
· If nausea worsens, discuss prescribed options with your OB
Sore throat
Saltwater gargle, throat sprays or lozenges
Vaginal yeast symptoms
This includes itchy, white thick cottage cheese discharge. Monistat 3 or 7, if no improvement, schedule appointment.