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• During pregnancy, a pregnant woman must be careful about anything she eats, drinks, smokes, inhales, and swallows. Please inform your medical provider of all medications [prescribed, over the counter, vitamins, & herbal supplements] that you are taking. Your provider will determine which are safe for you to take during pregnancy.

 

• Avoid all tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, street drugs [example: cocaine, crack, heroin, LSD, meth], and unprescribed pain medications during pregnancy. All of these substances pass through the mother to the unborn baby and may cause harmful effects on the health of the pregnancy and for the health of the baby. Please be honest with your medical provider if you are having problems with substance use/abuse. Your prenatal provider will review the options that will help keep you and your baby safe.

 

• Always inform any medical provider you see during pregnancy of your pregnancy. Some medications are not considered safe during pregnancy. Your provider will determine what is safe for you to take during pregnancy.

 

• AVOID all medications that contain Ibuprofen [such as Aleve, Motrin, and Advil] and Aspirin unless your provider specifically recommends the medication. These medications may cause bleeding problems for mother and baby.

 

• If you are taking prescription medications for health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or mental health conditions [depression, anxiety], you should immediately contact the medical provider prescribing these medications and inform them of your pregnancy. The medical provider will determine if these medications are safe during pregnancy. DO NOT STOP your medications until you talk with your provider.

 

• Flu vaccine is highly recommended during pregnancy for the pregnant mother & her immediate family members. During pregnancy, the inactivated influenza  is recommended for the mother. Talk with your provider about the most appropriate time to receive the vaccine.

 

• Most common antibiotics may be prescribed in pregnancy for specific indications [example urinary tract infections, upper respiratory or sinus infections].

 

• It is best to avoid ALL medications in the first trimester [1st 13 weeks of pregnancy], but it is safe to use the following medications at any time during the pregnancy if absolutely necessary, especially after 13 weeks of pregnancy.

 

*[The following medications should be taken as directed on the package information.]

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COLDS/ALLERGIES/COUGH

For runny nose, itchy/watery eyes: Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, NasalCrom

For cough: Robitussin DM, cough drops/throat lozenges

For congestion: Mucinex, Mucinex DM

For sore throat: Chloraseptic spray/lozenges

Saline nasal spray

**Avoid Psuedophedrine and Phenylephrine

**Avoid “multi-symptom”, “sustained release”, or “sustained action” forms of these medications

 

CONSTIPATION

Fiber supplements: Metamucil, Fibercon

Stool softeners: Senakot OR Colace

Milk of Magnesia

Dulcolax

Fleet’s enema

Miralax

**Avoid Pepto Bismol and Castor Oil

 

DIARRHEA

Imodium (only if severe diarrhea)

**only take for 24 hours maximum and only after 12 weeks of pregnancy

 

HEADACHES/DISCOMFORT/MUSCLE ACHES

Tylenol (acetaminophen) – regular or extra strength

Icy Hot/Bengay (muscle pain)

 

HEARTBURN/ANTACIDS

Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, Pepcid

Tagemet, Prevacid, Protonix

Omeprazole (Prilosec OTC)

 

FIRST AID OINTMENT/RASHES

Bacitracin

Neosporin

 

HEMORRHOIDS

Tucks Pads

Anusol

Preparation H

Witch Hazel

 

NAUSEA/VOMITING

Vitamin B6 25mg, q 6-8 hours (up to 200mg/day)

Ginger

Benadryl

Bonine

Dramamine

 

RASHES

Hydrocortisone cream or ointment

Caladryl lotion or cream

Benadryl cream

Oatmeal bath (Aveeno)