It is our goal to assist you in maintaining a healthy pregnancy,the below information can be used as a quick reference to questions you might have.
Breastscan begin to enlarge in preparation for lactation and may be tender and even begin leaking.
Relief Measures: Wear a good support bra. You may find it more comfortable to wear it while sleeping. Your bra should have wide non-elastic straps to provide good support. Wear nursing pads for leaking that are not plastic lined.
Leg Crampsare generally due to pressure of the enlarged uterus on the circulation of the extremities. They can also be due to the fact that calcium is less easily absorbed during pregnancy. They may occur anytime but especially during the last three months. Cramps are not a serious condition but can be very painful.
Relief Measures: Elevate legs frequently during the day. Use a heating pad or hot water bottle for relief. Point toes upward and press down on the kneecap or hold the back of a chair and slide the foot of the cramping leg as far back as you can, keeping the heel flat. This stretches the calf muscle and helps relieve the cramp. Increase calcium in your diet. If unable to get adequate calcium from food sources, ask your physician about calcium substitutes.
Medications– It is very important during your pregnancy to only take medication prescribed by your physician. There are certain medications that you may take at any time during your pregnancy without consulting our office for reasons such as headache, cold symptoms, nausea, constipation, indigestion or yeast infection. Discuss these with your physician or nurse during your visit.
Morning Sickness
To prevent morning sickness, try the following suggestions until you find one that works for you:
- Eat a piece of bread or a few crackers before you get out of bed in the morning or when you feel nauseated.
- Get out of bed slowly. Avoid sudden movements.
- Have some yogurt, cottage cheese, juice or milk before you go to bed, or before you get up.
Try one of these if you have to get up during the night:
- Eat several small meals during the day so your stomach doesn’t remain empty for very long.
- Eat high protein foods (i.e. eggs, cheese, nuts, meats, etc.) as well as fruits and fruit juices. These foods help prevent abnormal levels of sugar in your blood, which can also cause nausea.
- Drink soups and other liquids between meals instead of with meals.
- Avoid spicy, heavily seasoned foods.
To remedy morning sickness, try these suggestions:
- Sip soda water (carbonated water) when you begin to feel nauseated.
- Get fresh air, take a walk, sleep with a window open or use an exhaust fan or open a window when you cook.
- Take deep breaths.
- Drink spearmint, raspberry leaf or peppermint tea.
Stretch Marksare a result of a breakdown in the lower, less elastic layer of skin. They are also a result of hereditary tendencies.
Relief Measures: Commonly appear on the lower abdomen, breasts, thighs, and buttocks. Massaging with lotion will reduce the dryness and itching associated with stretching. Stretch marks fade after the pregnancy, but can’t be prevented.
Travel
You may travel long distances by car or plane up to 32 weeks of your pregnancy, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Be sure to check with your doctor and take frequent rest stops.