Frequently Asked Questions
Tylenol is safe to take for a headache, fever, or any general discomfort. Follow the recommended dosage on the bottle
Robitussin, cough drops, Vicks vapor rub, Increase water intake, regular Tylenol, saline nasal spray, Zyrtec, regular Claritin
Traveling by car, bus, or airplane is generally safe for healthy pregnancy. Always consult your provider before any extended travel.
Each airline has different rules about how late in pregnancy a woman may fly. You may need a doctor’s note in your third trimester.
When you sleep on your back while pregnant, your abdomen rests on your intestines and major blood vessels. This becomes increasingly uncomfortable as your belly — and baby — grows. The pressure from this position can cause: Backaches, breathing issues, digestive problems, low blood pressure, hemorrhoids, and it can also decrease circulation to your heart and to your baby.
Although sleeping on your back while pregnant is generally safe, the position can feel uncomfortable and may cause avoidable health problems. Doctors recommend you sleep on your left side during all stages of pregnancy for the safest, most comfortable rest.
Increase water intake, Metamucil or Fibercon, Colace or Dulcolax
Ligament pain: taking Tylenol, pregnancy bell is recommended
Increase calcium intake either by drinking 3-4 glasses of skim milk or by taking Tums, eat one banana a day.
As long as your pregnancy is progressing normally, you can continue having intercourse. If you should abstain from intercourse during pregnancy, your doctor will notify you. The conditions that would preclude intercourse include placenta previa, preterm labor, or rupture of the membranes. If you have any questions about the safety of intercourse during your pregnancy, please ask your obstetrician
Please continue with your existing exercise program. If you are thinking of beginning a new exercise program, it is important to discuss it with your physician first. Moderate exercise, defined as being able to carry on a conversation while exercising, has been shown to have many benefits, including leaner babies and shorter time in labor. There is also evidence that moderate exercise helps reduce some common pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Recommended: walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, yoga, low impact aerobics.
Not recommended: horseback riding, downhill skiing, rock climbing, scuba diving.
If you have a cat at home, you may be exposed to toxoplasmosis. This infection can be contracted by coming in contact with feces from an infected cat, eating or handling raw meat, or eating fruits and vegetables that have not been properly washed. We recommend that you do not change your cat's litter box during your pregnancy, however it is unlikely that indoor-only cats If you own a cat, notify your obstetrician. If you should contract a fever or a rash, your doctor may want to perform blood tests to determine if you were exposed to
What we do know is that when these dyes come in contact with your scalp, a small amount of the chemical is absorbed into your system. What we don't know is how much, if any, of these chemicals cross the placenta to the fetus. Some health care providers will recommend waiting until the first trimester is completed before coloring your hair. Though the FDA does not specifically address safety issues and coloring your hair during pregnancy, they do recommend the following general safety precautions:
Don't leave the dye on your head any longer than necessary.
Rinse your scalp thoroughly with water after use.
Wear gloves when applying hair dye.
Carefully follow the directions in the hair dye package.
Never mix different hair dye products because you can induce potentially harmful reactions.
Hot tub should be avoided during your pregnancy
The use of tanning beds should be avoided.
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a healthy baby is to not smoke. Smoking affects your blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the uterus and placenta. This adversely affects the growth of the baby and can cause low birth weight. There are other risks associated with tobacco use during pregnancy, including preterm rupture of the membranes, preterm delivery, placenta previa, and placental abruption. Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers the cervix and puts the mother at risk for excessive vaginal bleeding. Placental abruption is a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterus prematurely before the delivery of the infant. All of these conditions lead to a risk of infant mortality. Therefore, if you smoke, we strongly encourage you to quit
During your pregnancy, do not eat any food or drink any milk that is unpasteurized. Closely examine the labels on soft cheeses such as feta, brie, camembert and blue vein cheeses. If the label says it was made with pasteurized milk, it will be safe to eat.
There are no official recommendations regarding sushi and pregnancy. We recommend only that you follow the fish guidelines put out by the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Fish absorb mercury naturally from oceans and lakes. Fish that contain very high levels of mercury include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. Do not eat these types of fish while you are pregnant. You may eat fish that are lower in mercury. The FDA recommends eating no more than 12 ounces (roughly two meals) per week of these types of fish, which include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon and catfish.
We care about how you are feeling and ask that you please contact our office if your symptoms persist, worsen or if you have a temperature that exceeds 100.5° F.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women receive the seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy.
All women should receive Tdap during pregnancy after 3rd trimester
If you have had a prior Cesarean delivery, you may be eligible for a vaginal delivery in this pregnancy. This is called TOLAC or trial of labor after cesarean. A successful TOLAC is termed a VBAC or vaginal birth after Cesarean. Specific eligibility criteria must be met before you may be offered TOLAC. Ask your doctor if you meet these criteria
The average weight gain during pregnancy is approximately 25 to 35 pounds, depending on your pre-pregnancy body mass index. Overweight women can anticipate a weight gain of 10 to 15 pounds. Underweight women may experience a weight gain of about 40 pounds.
We encourage you to have regular dental care during your pregnancy. Good dental hygiene is the cornerstone of good health. Dental x-rays expose the baby to only minimal amounts of radiation and are considered safe. If you are going to obtain x-rays during your pregnancy, you should be provided a lead apron to shield your abdomen. If you need to have a dental procedure performed during your pregnancy, your dentist may have questions about what type of anesthetics, antibiotics and pain relievers you may receive. We can provide you with a list of medications that are considered safe during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, caffeine crosses the placenta and reaches the baby. Until more is known about the effects of caffeine on pregnancy, based on limited data we recommend that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams a day (roughly two cups of home-brewed coffee).