KENNETH  B.  GOODRICH, M.D.



159 INTERSTATE PARKWAY   BRADFORD, PA.   814 368-5000
 
                PREGNANCY PRECAUTIONS
                                       
                                            

                                        

 

PREGNANCY       PRECAUTIONS


Labor Instructions


Medications for Expectant Mothers


Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy


Pregnancy Precautions


Postpartum Instructions




LABOR INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

Follow theses instructions if you are greater than 37 weeks pregnant to know when to go to the Hospital. If any of the below apply to you, go directly to the Hospital. You do not need to call in advance. 

 

1.    Regular Contractions every 5-7 minutes lasting for one (1) hour.

2.    "My water broke" or any leaking of fluid from the vagina. Your      panties may be wet.

3.    Vagina bleeding more than spotting

4.    Decreased fetal movement or no fetal movement

5.    Any "severe" abdominal pain

6.    Headache unrelieved by Tylenol

7.    Recent change in vision, i.e. "blurred vision" or seeing spots

Premature Labor -  If you are less than 37 weeks and are experiencing any of the following symptoms please immediately go directly to the hospital to be evaluated:

 

·         Back pain that comes and goes more than 4 – 6 times per hour. This may be contractions.

·         Tightening of your stomach / uterus more than 4 – 6 times per hour

·         Slight vaginal spotting or bleeding

·         Leakage of fluid

·         Increased bladder pressure and a need to urinate more often, sometimes with only little bits of urine coming out

 

If you have any doubts, be on the safe side, and go to the hospital to be examined and evaluated for labor or contractions. Please tell the nurses to call Dr. Goodrich upon your arrival.



Medications for Expectant Mothers

 

We would like to outline some medications and tips to follow for the treatment of nausea, minor colds, respiratory infections, and hay fever. These problems are very common in pregnancy, and it would be helpful for you to know how to deal with them. If will save you the trouble of calling us about your symptoms and having to wait for the staff to call you back with advice.

It is a general rule that medications should be avoided during pregnancy, especially the first 12 – 16 weeks of pregnancy. But if you are ill, there are various medications that have been widely used for years and have been demonstrated to have a wide margin of safety.

Nausea can be treated with BONINE tablets (similar to Dramamine) ½ -1 tablet twice a day. Also, Vitamin B-6, 50-100mg twice a day can be used.

If you get a minor viral illness such as a cold, runny nose, mild sore throat, slight fever (under 100.4 which lasts less than 2 days), chills, muscle aches, and headaches, the following medications are recommended.

 

1. TYLENOL: 2 tablets every 4-6 hours or 1 extra strength Tylenol every 4-6 hours. This is helpful for fever, muscle aches, and headaches.

 

2. CHLORTRIMETON: This is the oldest antihistamine available and has been shown to have a minimal risk factor.  This may cause slight drowsiness and therefore is good to take at bedtime.

 

3. SUDAFED: This is a decongestant and may keep you awake, so it is preferable for daytime use.

 

4. ACTIFED: This is a decongestant, which may cause drowsiness.

 

5. TYLENON-SINUS: A combination of Tylenol for fever and Sudafed for a decongestant.

 

6. ROBITUSSIN: This is a good cough syrup expectorant. There are various combinations available that can be used. Robitussin DM tends to make you a bit drowsy and is good to control a cough at bedtime.

 

7. ASPIRIN: This has a high margin of safety in the first half of pregnancy but should only be used if your doctor discussed this with you first.

 

8. SALINE/SALT WATER NOSE SPRAY: These are good to clear sinus congestion. AFRIN or NEO-SYNEPHRINE can be used every 12 hours if other methods do not offer relief. These should be used for no more than three days at a time.

 

9. Warm salt water gargles or CEPACOL throat spray and lozenges are useful for a sore throat.

 

Other comfort measures include warm, wet compresses to your sinus area to help them open and drain. A vaporizer at bedtime will add moisture to the air and help alleviate breathing problems. Sleep with extra pillows to keep your head elevated. Be sure to drink lots of juice and water (6-8 glasses a day) to keep yourself well hydrated.

If you get ahigh fever (one that is over 101 lasting 24 hours or more), a sore throat that persists for longer than 36-48 hours and seems to be getting worse, or if an earache is associated with the above symptoms, please call our office. If you have bloody, green, or yellow mucus drainage for your nasal passage or sinuses, let us know. All of these symptoms are likely to require antibiotics.

For heartburn, indigestion, or gas, use any low sodium product, such as MAALOX, MYLANTA, RIOPAN, GAVISCON, TUMS, ROLAIDS, PEPCID, or TAGAMET.

For constipation, a daily use of METAMUCIL or CITRACIL, stool softeners COLACE, SENAKOT, MILK OF MAGNESIA, or glycerin suppositories such as DULCOLAX SUPPOSOTORIES will help.

For mild diarrhea with or without nausea, DONNAGEL is quite effective. Along with this, avoid any beverages containing caffeine and milk products.

If the recommended treatments do not bring you relief, feel free to call us and talk to one of the nurses concerning your symptoms.



Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy

 

 

Nausea and vomiting symptoms are extremely common during the 1st three months of pregnancy due to changing hormones.  Following are some suggestions to help with these symptoms.

 

1. Symptoms seemed more pronounced when the stomach is empty.  Eating frequently (every 1 ½ - 2 hours) in small amounts will keep the nausea to a minimum.

 

2. Separate liquids from solid foods – if you drink something, don’t eat for at least 30 minutes.

 

3. Carbohydrates and starches are the most popular foods.

 

4. High fat, spicy, or gaseous foods are not tolerated well.

 

5. Citrus fruits and drinks usually have too much acid.

 

6. Vitamins are important. If you can tolerate prenatal vitamins, they should be taken daily with solid foods.

 

7. Folic acid (0.4-1mg average) is recommended daily. This is available in the prenatal vitamins or may be taken separately.

 

8. Centrum or two children’s chewable vitamins may be taken daily if other vitamins cannot be tolerated.

 

9. Vitamin B-6, 50-100mg twice daily or vitamin B-6, 25mg four times every day can decrease nausea  (must take 2 times every day).

 

10. Motion sickness or sea sick bands can be purchased at drug stores and dive shops.

 

11. Keep some type of dry food next to your bed if you get up during the night or when you wake up in the morning.

 

12. Try eating lemon drops, mints, and foods and drinks containing ginger (i.e. ginger ale, ginger snaps).

 

Some women require prescription medication or hospitalization if symptoms are severe. Please feel free to call if vomiting is excessive.

 

 SOME POPULAR FOOD AND DRINK IDEAS

 

Saltine Crackers 

Milk Shakes

 

Melba Toast/Graham Crackers  

Grape Juice

 

Bagels – Plain or with Cream Cheese

Papaya Juice

 

Toast/Cheese Toast

Apricot Juice

 

Peanut Butter 

Apple Juice

 

Peeled Apples/Apple Sauce/Watermelon

Gatorade

 

Oatmeal/Grits

Lemonade

 

Dry Cereals – Cheerios/Rice Chex

Ginger Tea

 

Rice/Noodles/Baked or Boiled Potatoes

Hi-C Punch

 

Oodles of Noodles

Ginger Ale

 

Macaroni and Cheese

7-Up

 

Scrambled Eggs

Sprite

 

Sherbert/Ice Pops

Coke

 

Pretzels/Pop Corn

 

 

Ginger Snaps

 

 

Tuna/Chicken – Baked or Grilled

 

 

PREGNANCY PRECAUTIONS

 

 

CALL THE OFFICE IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING

SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS ARE NOTED....

 

To reduce the chances of your baby being born too early, call our office if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms.

Warning Signs You Should Report

·               Spotting or vaginal bleeding.

·               Cramping or pains that feel like menstrual cramps.

·               Persistent lower back pain that comes and goes.

·               Pelvic pressure.

·               Leaking vaginal fluid.

·               Burning sensation when you urinate (this is not a sign of preterm labor, but an indication of a urinary track infection, which may lead to preterm labor).

·               Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor.

Warning Signs You Should Report During The Last Few Weeks Of Pregnancy.

During the last few weeks of your pregnancy, it's important to be aware of certain warning signs and special circumstances that may signal cause for concern. If you experience any of the following symptoms from now until the time your labor begins, call your doctor or nurse midwife immediately.

·                           Regular contractions or signs of labor when   your due date is more than three weeks away.

·               Vaginal bleeding.

·               Your baby is moving less or not all.

·               Leaking of fluid from your vagina.

 

                              POSTPARTUM INSTRUCTIONS.

 

 

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby!

 

You may find the following information helpful as you recover from your delivery. Please read this information carefully. If you have any questions, call the office Monday-Friday 9:00a.m. - 4:45p.m. Any questions concerning your baby should be directed to your Pediatrician.

Call the office where you received your prenatal care immediately upon discharge from the hospital to schedule your six-week check up.

Activities: For the first two weeks, activities should be light. Avoid heavy lifting and prolonged walking or standing. These activities may increase your vaginal bleeding. Gradually increase your activities each week. No strenuous exercise until you come in for your follow up exam. You cannot drive the first week after your delivery. The second and third week you may drive, but have someone in the car with you just in case you become faint while driving. After the third week you may drive alone.

Bathing: You may shower, take a bath and wash your hair at any time.

Episiotomy: The incision or tears made in your vagina during delivery will heal in approximately two-four weeks. During this time your stitches may itch or burn. To relieve vaginal irritation, rinse this area off with warm water after you urinate or have a bowel movement. Sitz baths, taken two or three times a day, may also relieve your discomfort as well as the spray that you were given in the hospital.

Incision: The incision from a caesarean section or tubal ligation does not need to be covered after the first week. You may shower or bathe any time if you have a clear plastic bandage covering your incision. If you do not have this bandage, or had it removed before the end of the first week, you may shower or bathe after the first week.

Pain: You may take Extra Strength Tylenol or two Advil to relieve pain (even if you are breastfeeding).

Vagina: You may have a bloody discharge for up to three-four weeks.

Breasts: Nursing Mothers: Wear a good nursing bra and nursing pads. Your nipples should be cleansed before and after each feeding with warm water. Allow your nipples to dry before covering them. Use Lanolin cream to prevent or relieve cracking. If your breast become hard and heavy (engorged), place hot wet cloths on them for 10 minutes. Express your milk with your hand or breast pump. When your breast are softer, nurse your baby, or pump your milk and store it for later feeding. Try to breast feed exclusively for two weeks. If you are having difficulty nursing, pump your breast, and feed your baby the breast milk with a small medicine dropper. After two weeks, you can introduce your baby to a bottle nipple.

Non-Nursing Mothers: Cover your breast with cabbage leaves and change the cabbage leaves every two hours for the first day and a half. This should begin immediately after your breast milk comes in. You may also wear a tight sports bra day and night for two weeks, beginning immediately after your delivery.

Call the office if you develop red streaks in your breast or if you notice any bleeding from the nipples.

Bowels: Avoid constipation by drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. If you develop constipation try warm prune juice. You may take Milk of Magnesia if the prune juice does not help. For hemorrhoids use Anusol-HC (available over the counter) and Tucks pads. Take a stool softener (Metamucil, Citrucel, Surfax or Colace) daily as directed.

Exercise: You may take a 30-minute walk, two-three times a week after your second week.

Sex: Avoid intercourse until after your follow-up exam. If you have intercourse, use a condom and vaginal spermicide (foam, gel, or suppository). PREGNANCY may occur if you do not use a contraceptive method (even if you are breastfeeding).
 



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                               KENNETH GOODRICH, M.D.  -  OBSTETRICIAN- GYNECOLOGIST  
     
                                           Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

           Specializing in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery- Hysterectomies
              and Uterine Fibroids, HPV treatment for Women and Men, Surgery on Obese Women,  Chronic Vaginal
              Discharges, Sexually Transmiited Diseases, Menopause, Abnormal Bleeding ,Cellulite Reduction and
                                                                                 Aesthetic Services






 

 

                                                                                                 
 

 

 

 

 

 










                                                                         

                                             

           

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