Discomfort When What you can do to HelpAnkle/Foot Swelling 2nd trimester to the end Wear comfortable shoes. Prop your
feet up on a stool while sitting. Don’t
cross legs. Drink lots of fluids
Breast Tenderness Early and continues Wear good sports bra day and night.
Soak in warm bath
Breast Leakage 2nd Trimester Wear breast pads that don’t have
plastic linings. Avoid harsh soaps,
creams, ointments. Avoid hot water on
breasts. Do not squeeze nipple or
breasts
Bleeding Gums All Use a very soft tooth brush and gently
brush teeth. Get routine dental care.
Constipation 2nd Trimester to end Eat foods high in fiber everyday. Drink
lots of fluids. Exercise daily, Walk after
meals. Avoid stimulants or laxatives
Contractions
(Braxton-Hicks) After 20wks Lie down on your left side for about 20
minutes. Drink 2-3 glasses of water or
juice. Walk around.
Enlarging Belly
& Breasts 2nd half of pregnancy Sleep on your side with a pillow between
your legs and lower abdomen. Wear
loose, comfortable clothing. Wear a
supportive bra even to bed.
Fatigue
or Tiredness Early and again in the last month
Take extra naps during day if possible.
Continue exercise but not to the point of
exhaustion. Try to get at least 8 hrs of
sleep a night
Flatulence Anytime, especially after 20wks
Try to schedule your daily bowel
movements. Avoid gas forming foods
such as beans and soda. Increase bulk
and water to diet. Increase exercise
Food Cravings First half of pregnancy OK to indulge as long as diet is otherwise
healthy. Call office if you are craving non
food items such as soap, dirt,baking soda
Frequent
Urination Early, gets better in middle, Know where the bathrooms are when out
then increased towards the end and about. Don’t cut back on fluids.
Expect to make many trips to the
bathroom day and night. Avoid
drinking lots of fluids right before bedtime
Headaches 1st Half Avoid Aspirin or Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil,
Alleve. Avoid eye strain. Frequent eye
rests and computer breaks. Use Tylenol
regular or extra strength as directed
Heartburn 2nd Trimester until the end Eat more frequently and smaller meals. Do
not lay down right away after eating. Eat
slowly and chew your food well. Avoid deep
fried, greasy, spicy foods. Antacids as
directed are safe. Drink fluids between
meals and not so much during. Go for a
walk afterward
Hemorrhoids Anytime Avoid constipation. Apply cold witch hazel
pads or hemorrhoid ointment. Do kegal
exercises. Take sitz baths
Increased Anytime Increase fluids. Easily washable,
Sweating comfortable, loose fitting clothes. Good
hygiene. Try a different brand of deodorant
Increased Saliva 1st Trimester Gum and hard candy. Mouthwash. Avoid
starchy foods
Increased Throughout Pregnancy Wear cotton underwear, don’t wear
Vaginal pantyliners or pads. Avoid nylon panty hose,
Discharge feminine hygiene soaps or sprays. No
douching. Report to office if discharge is
greenish, thick, cheesy or has strong fish
odor
Insomnia Anytime but mainly in Try a warm bath prior to bed. Do not have
3rd Trimester stimulating activity before bed, sex is OK.
Use relaxation technique. Place pillow
between legs and under lower abdomen
Leg Cramps 2nd half of pregnancy Try eating bananas or drinking OJ
everyday. Stand up on flat surface, point your
ankle and toes as if you were standing, try
walking or curling your toes
Ligament Pain Increases with increasing uterus size
(sharp pulling sensation on either Support your weight with your hands when
side of the lower changing positions. Move slower. Tylenol as
abdomen) directed. Apply ice to affected side. Use
maternity belt. Lean back in a slant position
support-ing your back with your knees bent
Light headedness Begins early and Stop what you are doing and lie on your left
& Dizziness continues side with legs curled up for a short time. Get
up slowly from a lying down position
Low Backache 2nd half of Good body mechanics helps. Keep back
pregnancy straight and head up, Avoid bending at waist.
Wear supportive shoes, no flats or high heels.
Avoid prolonged standing, move around
frequently. Get back rubs, firm mattress, do
pelvic rock exercise to strengthen back
Nasal Stuffiness 1st trimester and Use humidifier/vaporizer if air is dry
& Nose Bleeds again at the end Sudafed or Benadryl as directed. Saline Nasal
Spray. Blow nose gently
Nausea, morning Early in pregnancy Nibble some cracker or ginger snaps before
Sickness & usually improves getting up in the morning. Wait an hour before
after 1st trimester drinking any liquids. Avoid strong odors. Drink
between meals only. Chew gum and hard
candy. Sip on room temperature drinks. Eat
small snacks in between meals. Sit and put
your head down between your legs
Varicose Veins Increases as Put support hose, ace wraps or elastic
pregnancy continues stockings on while in bed, before getting up for
the day. Avoid tight clothing. Avoid crossing
legs. Use good posture
Vision Throughout pregnancy Don’t buy a new prescription for your glasses
Changes b/c your vision will probably go back to pre-
pregnancy vision. Take frequent eye breaks
You may not be able to wear contact lenses
Activities to AVOIDExposure to diseases passed from animals to humans is important. In order to be safe, Do NOT change or clean the cat’s litter box or the bird cages. Do NOT play in Children’s sand boxes (big cat litter box). Do NOT garden without gloves.
You may also want to avoid exposure to things that may cause birth defects such as:
*X-rays, working around radiation or radioisotopes
*Dry cleaning & other solvents, petroleum products, working around lead or mercury
*Manicuring acrylic nails
*Working on ladders, scaffolding and such where nausea, fatigue or sudden lightheadedness would be hazardous to your health should be avoided.
AVOID the following FOODS*Neither raw nor undercooked fish including sushi, meat, poultry, eggs, hotdogs.
*Swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish. These have too much mercury in them.
*Raw sprouts, unpasteurized juices or cheeses or milks.
*All alcoholic beverages.
*All tobacco products and recreational drugs.
AVOID the following OVER THE COUNTER Medications*Aspirin
*Ibuprofen (Motrin)
*Dayquil or Nyquil liquid and any drug that says “elixir” because it contains alcohol
*Excessive caffeine (more than 2 servings a day)
*Any illegal drugs
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