Helpful pregnancy information

When you are pregnant, anything you eat or any medicine you take can affect the health of your unborn child. This page contains information about foods to avoid, medications safe to take and body changes to expect during pregnancy so you can stay as healthy as possible for you and your unborn child.

Normal changes related to pregnancy

Weeks or even days after your become pregnant, you will start to notice changes in your body. Some will be welcome, like stronger nails and hair. Others include aches and pains that might leave you wondering if something is wrong or what you can do to end the unpleasantness!

Here is a list of some normal body changes you can expect:

You might also experience mood changes. Feelings of irritability, anxiety, depression, anger, fear and forgetfulness are all normal. However, if these feelings or any of the above symptoms are concerning you, tell your doctor at your next appointment.

Pregnancy weight gain

Weight gain of 24-30 pounds is normal during a singleton pregnancy. Here is breakdown of typical pregnancy weight gain:

• Baby: 7.5 lbs.
• Placenta: 1.5 lbs.
• Amniotic fluid: 2.0 lbs.
• Breast tissue: 1.0 lbs.
• Uterus: 2.5 lbs.
• Blood: 3.5 lbs.
• Other fluid: 2.75 lbs.
• Other: 3.25 lbs.

Medications safe to take during pregnancy

Do not take more than the recommended dosage of any medicine. Call with any questions. Medications safe to take, listed by ailment, include:

• Common cold: Tylenol 500mg tablet (1 or 2 every six hours), Dimetapp, Tylenol Cold, Tylenol Sinus, Cold Eeze (limit 2-3 per day), Saline nasal spray
• Nausea: Emetrol (Call office if meal and diet measures do not control nausea.)
• Indigestion/Heartburn: Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums, Maalox, Gaviscon
• Hemorrhoids: Anusol Ointment, Preparation H, Tucks Pads
• Contact Dermatitis: Benadryl Cream, 1% Hydrocortisone Cream, Aveeno Products (Avoid heat/hot baths. Call if cause of rash is unknown or symptoms persist.)
• Cough: Robitussin (Plain, DM, CF or PE), Dimetapp Cold and Cough, Coricidin Cough and Cold, Benylin, Cough drops
• Sore throat: Cold Eeze (limit 2-3 per day) (Call office if fever is over 101 degrees.)
• Constipation: Colace, Metamucil, Miralax, Citrucel, Dulcolax Suppositories
• Gas: Mylicon, Mylanta
• Leg Cramps: Tums
• Diarrhea: Immodium, Kaopectate
• Allergies: Allegra, Claritin, Mucinex, Sudafed, Zyrtec

Foods to avoid during pregnancy

Most foods are safe during pregnancy. It is important for you and your unborn child that you eat a healthy, balanced diet. If nausea is making it hard to keep food down, try to eat smaller meals and bland foods.

Foods to avoid during pregnancy include: