Refer to "Cold and Flu Sheet" provided in your introductory OB bag. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve aches. Decongestants that relieve nasal stuffiness include Sudafed and Dimetapp. Afrin nasal spray may be used for 3 days or less. Saline Nasal Drops may be effective are convenient and inexpensive. Get extra rest and drink plenty of liquids (gator aide, chicken soup, water, and juices). Stop smoking!!! Cool mist humidifier for your bedroom to relieve nasal stuffiness. Saline gargles for sore throat; 12 tsp. salt in 8oz of water. Red and raw nose - use small amount petroleum jelly on sore area.
Reasons to seek medical care:
Fever over 100.4
A small amount of spotting is not unusual during early pregnancy. If the amount of bleeding is like a period, especially with cramping present, then an evaluation is needed. During office hours, call to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If after hours or on the weekend contact the physician on call.
If you have a gush of fluid or a trickle of fluid similar to "water" it is possible that you may have ruptured membranes. If there is ANY question about ruptured membranes, you should go immediately to the birthing center for an evaluation. It is not necessary to call the physician "on call" prior to proceeding to the hospital. It is not possible to evaluate this condition over the telephone.
If you are 37 weeks pregnant or more with your first pregnancy, let your contractions occur every 5 minutes for about an hour then proceed to the birthing center. If you are earlier than 37 weeks pregnant and your contractions are occurring regularly you need to go to the birthing center for evaluation. Any time that you have bright red bleeding or break/leak your water you are to go to the birthing center AT THAT TIME.
We expect babies to move at least 10 times in two hours. You should expect to feel this movement on a daily basis from the 28th week forward. We like you to do a spot check on your baby each day. Once a day during the baby's most active time (whenever that is for your baby), stop and pay attention to the movement. Keep a record of how long it takes to get ten movements (There are special charts available at our office for this). If your baby is not moving like normal, you should come to the hospital immediately for evaluation.
Yes, but there are some limits. About 12 ounces a week is recommended. The older the fish, the higher the mercury level will be. Sometimes local fish need to be avoided. Watch for the warnings issued by the local and state authorities. The US department of Agriculture recommends avoiding:
Fish considered safe are:
Within limits exercise is safe while pregnant and probably improves pregnancy outcome. It helps you to feel better, sleep better, and maintain a healthy weight. You can probably do what you did before pregnancy. A good rule of thumb is about 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise per day on most if not all days of the week. Walking, swimming, stationary bike, lifting small weights, and yoga are all good options. You should avoid overheating and dehydration. We recommend avoiding activities that put you at risk for falls or abdominal trauma such as contact sports and skiing. Scuba diving and hiking at high altitudes should also be avoided.
Women with a history of preterm labor or small birth weight babies or risk factors for either should reduce activity in the second and third trimesters. Consult your Carteret Ob/Gyn provider if you have any questions about your individual situation.
Extensive animal data indicate that hyperthermia (getting your core body temperature too hot) causes birth defects. There is a probability of significantly increasing your core body temperature using a hot tub or sauna. Therefore we feel these activities are best avoided during pregnancy.
Sexual activity is usually OK in an uncomplicated pregnancy. Just because it is safe does not mean she will want it. Sexual desire tends to fluctuate during pregnancy.
Women with risk factors for preterm labor, placenta previa, or other complications should avoid intercourse. If you have any questions about your risk factors, ask your provider to review them with you.
Artificial sweeteners have not been proven to be unsafe. They are very commonly used in many products and no associations have been shown with pregnancy complications. Nevertheless some physicians recommend avoiding them or limiting them during pregnancy.
Caffeine is found in many products including coffee, tea, chocolate, and sodas. Too much caffeine is not good during pregnancy. Exactly how much is too much is hard to define. Most doctors feel that the amount in one serving of coffee or soda per day is acceptable. If you are used to drinking a lot of coffee or soda, you may need to wean down to an acceptable level to avoid headaches caused by caffeine withdrawal.
I heard that one drink a day after the first trimester is OK. Is that true?
Alcohol is a major cause of preventable birth defects. Its effects may include learning disabilities, subtle neurological consequences, premature delivery, low birth weight, fetal alcohol syndrome. There is no known safe level so our recommendation is to avoid any use of alcohol during pregnancy.
Weight gain can be an important consideration during pregnancy. Problems can occur from either excessive weight gain or inadequate weight gain.
The recommended amount of weight gain during pregnancy depends on your body mass index (BMI) prior to pregnancy. If you are obese or overweight, your weight gain should be lower.
| Prepregnancy BMI | Optimal gain |
| <19.8 25-35 lbs 15-25 lbs approximately 15 lbs |
28-40 lbs 19.8- 26 26.1-29 > 29.0 |
| Rate of weight gain | |
| First trimester Remainder Overweight: |
3-5 lbs 1-2 lbs/week Gain at ½ the above rate |
| Caloric requirements recommended by the Institute of Medicine are as follows: | |
| Nonpregnant Pregnant Lactating |
2200 2500 2600 |
Obese women considering pregnancy are recommended to reach their recommended BMI through diet and exercise BEFORE pregnancy. Pregnancy is not the time to start a weight loss diet.
No one really knows if listening to certain types of music helps your baby's intelligence. It may lower maternal stress levels which may have a benefit in fetal development.
Deli meats - unless heated (165 degrees F) - should be avoided due to the possibility of them containing a bacteria called Listeria.
Pasteurized cheeses and hard cheeses should be safe to eat, but avoid soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and goat cheese.
There is very limited data on the safety of hair dyes. The chemicals are irritating to the skin and cause burning if used carelessly. The effects on the developing fetus are unknown. Highlights should pose limited risk since they don't sit on the skin.
If you choose to dye your hair yourself, you should use gloves and rinse well to get out the excess dye. To avoid any risk, delay dying your hair until after delivery.
In pregnancies complicated by certain medical or obstetrical conditions, long distance travel should be avoided. These conditions make emergencies unpredictable and therefore threaten safety of mother and fetus. If you have any question about your condition, ask your doctor at one of your visits.
In uncomplicated pregnancies women may travel with some restrictions. In general it is safe to fly up to about 36 weeks gestation. Long distance car travel should be stopped by about 28 weeks gestation.
The main problem in long distance travel for pregnant women is the increased risk for the formation of blood clots. Pregnant women have a higher risk for blood clots forming in the legs and pelvis simply due to the pregnancy. When people sit for long periods of time, the risk for blood clot formation increases. The combination of these two place pregnant women at high risk. When blood clots do form, they can float up to the heart and lungs and cause serious or fatal results.
Yes. Wear it low on the hipbones, between the pelvis and the protuberant abdomen. Wear it every time you get in a car. There are too many bad drivers out there.
The number of medicines available is far too long to list here. If you need to be on a medicine while nursing, you should discuss it with your baby's pediatricians first to make sure they approve.
3511 John Platt Drive
Morehead City, NC 28557
252-247-4297