Pregnancy FAQsPregnancy FAQs

Having a baby is one of the most life changing events in a woman’s life. Here at South Orange OB/GYN, every effort is made to ensure that your pregnancy experience is an enjoyable one. We strive to maintain the health of you and your baby throughout your entire pregnancy. Listed below is a guide to common questions/concerns often encountered during pregnancy. Please be aware that this is simply a guide. As always, our providers are available to address any concerns that you have.

Frequently Addressed Concerns...

  •  ExerciseActivity/Exercise: Low impact exercise is recommended in a normal pregnancy (walking, swimming); Sexual relations can be continued unless directed otherwise by your physician (except in the presence of vaginal bleeding or ruptured or leaking fluid); No tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
    See also... Exercise During Pregnancy
    See also... Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs and Pregnancy
  • Beauty Routine: May continue as wished; avoid inhaling chemical fumes as nausea may be aggravated; permanents may not have successful result secondary to hormones of pregnancy.
  • Dental Work: May proceed as normal; routine use of local anesthetic can be safely utilized.
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Tanning: Not recommended.
  • Travel: You may travel up to 32 weeks of pregnancy, unless advised differently by your physician. Be sure to allow for accommodations to take a short walk every 2-3 hours while in route.
  • Vaccines: we recommend that you receive the flu vaccine during pregnancy, particularly if you have asthma or are otherwise high risk. We also recommend the tetanus-diptheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Tdap can also be received in the postpartum period. If you did not receive it, the postpartum nurses can administer it to you. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is NOT safe during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions regarding vaccines.
    See also... The Flu Vaccine and Pregnancy
  • X-Rays: Abdomen should be properly shielded. (Be sure to inform the radiologist that you are pregnant.)

Common Issues During Pregnancy & Safe Remedies...

  • Breast Enlargement: In preparation for breast feeding, your breasts may become tender and possibly leak milk. You may wish to wear a comfortable support bra (even while sleeping) to provide relief.
  • Colds: Benadryl, Sudafed (plain), Tylenol Sinus, Zyrtec, Claritin, Actifed, Robitussin, Hall’s cough drops.
  •  DietConstipation: Drink 10 glasses of water daily, increase fiber in diet by eating additional salad, raw vegetables or fruit. Additionally, you can try warmed prune or apple juice. Metamucil is also safe and can be used. If none of the above are successful in relief, try Milk of Magnesia & fleets enema. (These should not be used repetitively and you should speak with your doctor if constipation continues to be a problem.)
  • Diarrhea: Clear liquid diet for 24 hours; if diarrhea persists for 2 days, call the office.
  • Headache: Tylenol as directed on bottle.
  • Hemorrhoids: Preparation H, Anusol, Tucks pads.
  • Indigestion: Tums, Mylanta, or Maalox. Do not use Alka Seltzer or Baking Soda. Keep head elevated when sleeping if heartburn is a persistent issue.
  • Leg Cramps: Very common in pregnancy due to the enlarging uterus; you will notice them most frequently in the last few months of your pregnancy; Decreased calcium levels can contribute to the severity of the cramps, therefore, you should increase the calcium intake in your diet. In addition, you should increase your fluid intake with water, milk, and fruit juices.
  • Nausea: Try to slowly drink Sprite or Ginger Ale; Keep some saltine crackers at the bedside to have a small snack on arising; eat several small meals daily to avoid an empty stomach.
  • Pain: Tylenol as directed on bottle. No Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Aspirin, or ibuprofen.
  • Stretch Marks: Commonly appear throughout your pregnancy on your lower abdomen, breasts, thighs, and buttocks. They are a result of the thinning of the lower layer of skin and have a hereditary component. Stretch marks are not preventable; vitamin E oil can be utilized for emollient to reduce symptoms of itch and dryness.
  • Vomiting: Try to drink clear liquids. If vomiting not relieved within 24 hours, please call the office.
  • Yeast Infection: Monistat-7.

Every pregnancy is different and no list can cover all situations, so if you’re not sure whether a symptom is serious, or if you just don’t feel like yourself or are uneasy, trust your instincts and call your health care provider. Please call your doctor prior to going to the emergency room unless a serious medical emergency occurs.