BACKACHE: Rest and warm (NOT hot) baths. Use correct posture and try to avoid heavy lifting. Sleep on a firm bed. Wear low-heeled shoes. Take over the counter Tylenol if needed, Regular or Extra strength is okay.

COLDS, FLU, & COUGH: If running a temperature of 101 or greater, or coughing up mucus, please call office as soon as possible. Use a cool mist vaporizer at bedside.

           Cough Medications: Robitussin DM and Naldecon cough syrup.

          Decongestants: Sudafed, Actified, Naldecon, Sinutab II, Afrin Nasal Spray, or Neosynephrine Nasal Spray.

          Antihistamines: Dimetane, Dimetapp, Dimetapp Extentabs, and Benadryl.

Constipation: Increase fluid intake (two quarts of water per day).

           *Prunes or prune juice twice per day; two tablespoons bran to breakfast cereal every morning.

           *Metamucil up to three times per day.

          *Effersyllium.

          *Fiber Med cookies or snacks (two cookies per day with large glass of water).

          *Bulk

          *Stool softener: Dialose, Surfk, Colace - One (1) dose per day only.

          *Laxative: Dialose plus, Doxidan, Senokot - no more than (1) dose per day.

DIARRHEA: Stick to a clear liquid diet like bouillon, jello, 7-up, Gatorade, etc. for 48 hours. NO SOLID FOODS FOR 48 HOURS.  Also you can try Kaopectate or Donnagel as directed.

DIZZINESS, FAINTING, & LIGHTHEADNESS: Avoid sudden changes in posture. After lying down, get up slowly, rolling to side, then oushing to sitting. Make sure you are eating a minimum of 6 snacks/small meals a day. Sometimes these symptoms can be related to low blood sugar.

FEVER: Call the office if your temperature is greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Increase fluids, eat ice chips, take Tylenol as directed.

GAS: Mylicon 80 up to four (4) times per day. Mylanta II.

GROIN PAIN: Round ligament pain is sharp, sudden pain in the groin area and/or the right or left side of abdomen, caused by the uterus growing to accommodate the baby. Move carefully and avoid sudden movements. Turn over carefully when you are in bed or getting up. Get off your feet. There are abdominal support belts which might help as well.

HEADACHE: If you have no relief from Tylenol or have visual disturbances, call the office.

HEMORRHOIDS: Avoid constipation by increasing the amount of fluids and roughage in your diet. Sitting in a tub of warm (NOT hot) water is a soothing measure you can try.

          * Anusol suppositories - one (1) applicator in rectum for three to five days.

          * Anusol cream - for outside area.

          * TUCKS pads.

          * Add bulk to diet to soften stool.

If you have alot of bleeding from hemorrhoids or have no relief from over the counter preps - call the office. There are prescription medications we can try.

INDIGESTION & HEARTBURN: Avoid spicy foods. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.

LEG CRAMPS: Wear support pantyhose and low heeled shoes. Elevating feet and warm (NOT hot) baths may help. Increase milk intake and drink a glass of orange juice daily.

NAUSEA: Try eating something dry upon awaking such as toast or crackers. Instead of eating three large meals, try eating six smaller meals spaced evenly throughout your day. Eat your meals dry and wait 45 minutes before drinking fluid. If you feel that your nausea is out of control, there is a prescription medicine that you can take. Call the nurse if you feel that you need medicine.

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE: Continue as long as comfortable unless you have spotting or your bag of water ruptures. Please note that sometimes intercourse can cause some cramping, but this should resolve within 1-2 hours following intercourse. If not please call the office.

SINUS DRAINAGE: Humidify your homes or bedroom and increase your fluid intake. You can also try decongestants under COLS.

SORE THROAT: Increase fluids. Try hot lemonade with melted honey. Call if your temperature is greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

SPOTTING: Go to bed if possible. Avoid intercourse, tampons, or douching and observe. If cramping or bleeding as heavy as a period occurs, call the nurse.

SWELLING(Edema): This is a problem that most pregnant women have at some time during pregnancy. Support pantyhose, elevating your feet, and resting on your left side may offer some relief. Don't wear rings if your hands are swollen! "Water pills" are not recommended during pregnancy. Drink fluids - especially water - and lower salt intake. Soaking in a warm (NOT hot) bath also helps reduce swelling.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE: You will normally have more discharge when you are pregnant, but if signs of infection occur, such as itching, or foul odor, call the nurse. Do not douche.

VARICOSE OR "SPIDER" VEINS: Elevate feet as often as possible and wear support pantyhose. These may go away after the pregnancy. No thigh high or knee high hose, and avoid crossing your legs if possible.

IT IS TIME TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WHEN:

(Call the office if during office hours - the doctor may wish to see you.)

* You suspect that your "water" is leaking.

* Your membranes rupture.

*Persistent or heavy bleeding.

*Your contractions are 8 to 10 minutes apart for one hour and they do not resolve with emptying the bladder, resting on your left side, and drinking a quart of water for an hour.

*If baby's movement decreases significantly.

Again, please remember to call the office if worrisome symptoms persist for more than 48 hours.