Pregnancy

Prenatal Care Schedule

First Visit:
• Orientation to the Practice
• Discuss Prenatal Vitamins
• Gather Patient History
• Assign Due Date
• Discuss Prenatal Laboratory Testing
• Check weight, Blood Pressure, & Urine
• Perform Physical Exam

12-28 Weeks:
• Visits Every 4 Weeks
• Listen for Fetal Heart Tones & Check Uterine Size
• Order Penta Test Between 15 to 20 Weeks if desired
• Check Weight, Blood Pressure, & Urine
• Sign Up For Childbirth Education Classes and Find Pediatrician
 
About 28 Weeks:
• Listen for Fetal Heart Tones & Check Uterine Size
• Check Weight, Blood Pressure, & Urine
• Order One-Hour Glucose Test
• RhoGAM® Shot for Patients with Rh-Negative Blood Type

28-35 Weeks:
• Visits Every 2 Weeks
• Listen for Fetal Heart Tones & Check Uterine Size
• Check Weight, Blood Pressure, & Urine

36 Weeks:
• Obtain the Group B Strep Culture 
• Listen for Fetal Heart Tones & Check Uterine Size
• Check Weight, Blood Pressure, & Urine
• Discuss Labor & Delivery
• Weekly Visits Begin

36-40 Weeks:
• Listen for Fetal Heart Tones & Check Uterine Size
• Check Weight, BP, & Urine
• Cervical Examination Beginning Around 38 Weeks
• Discuss Management Plan For Delivery On an Individual Basis

Medications in Pregnancy

Listed are medications that you can take during pregnancy for minor discomforts. In general, it is best to avoid any medications during the first twelve (12) weeks of pregnancy. If you are taking a prescription, we should be notified as soon as possible.

PAIN MEDICATION
Tylenol (acetaminophen) for minor aches and pains, headaches.
Regular or extra strength.
DO NOT USE:
Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin

HEARTBURN, INDIGESTION, GAS
Tums, Rolaids, Gas X, Pepcid, Tagamet, Maalox
DO NOT USE:
Pepto Bismol (contains aspirin)

COUGH/COLDS
Robitussin (cough), Robitussin DM (non productive cough), Mucinex DM, Tylenol Cold, Tylenol Sinus, Tylenol Sore Throat

DECONGESTANTS
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) *Avoid if high blood pressure
Robitussin CF, Mucinex and Mucinex-D/PE, Ocean Mist nasal spray (saline solution)

ANTIHISTAMINES
Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl

NAUSEA
Small frequent meals, Ginger Ale, Vitamin B6, Sweet fruit syrup from canned fruits, i.e., pears/peaches

INSOMNIA (unable to sleep)
Benadryl, Tylenol PM

YEAST INFECTIONS
Monistat (gently insert applicator 1 inch)

HEMORRHOIDS
Preparation H (safe throughout entire pregnancy)

TOOTHACHE
Orajel
May see dentist, have cavity filling with novocaine, have dental x-ray with lead shield. Dental Letter available upon request.

DIARRHEA
Imodium
Follow the BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast)

CONSTIPATION
Fibercon, Colace, Milk of Magnesia, Miralax, Metamusil, Citrucel, Fiberall

LICE TREAMENTS
Rid (only)
DO NOT USE:
Kwell

SWEETENERS
NutraSweet, Equal, Splenda
Use artificial sweeteners in moderation.
DO NOT USE:
Sweet ’N Low

Suggestions for Nausea

Nausea or vomiting (sometimes called morning sickness) may happen during the early months of pregnancy. It usually disappears after the third month. Here are some helpful suggestions: 

• An empty stomach can cause nausea. Try eating frequent, small meals during the day.
• Avoid large meals that can cause discomfort.
• Drink fluids or eat soups between meals rather than at mealtime. Small amounts of apple juice or ginger ale are usually tolerated well.
• Avoid greasy, fried foods. Try baked, broiled, or boiled instead.
• Eat high carbohydrate foods such as crackers, dry toast, and hard candies before arising in the morning.
• Because your appetite may not be tremendous, try to make sure the foods you eat are nutritious.
• Smells from cooking hot foods may cause you to be nauseous. Cold foods may be better tolerated.
• Lie down for a few minutes after eating a meal.
• Be sure and have plenty of fresh air in the room where you sleep. Stale odors may upset your stomach.
• Don’t take any medicines or home remedies for nausea or vomiting unless prescribed by your doctor.
• Avoid sudden movements when getting out of bed.
• Try a mild, bland diet. (BRAT diet) Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast.
• Take 50mg of Vitamin B6, 3-4 times a day as needed.