OB Common Problems & Solutions

Cold and Sinuses

• Sudafed
• Actifed (consult your physician if you are hypertensive)
• Robitussin
• Drixoril
• Benadryl
• Tylenol and Tylenol Extra Strength
• Afrin Spray or Generic
• Ocean Spray

*Do not use any Cold or Sinus medication for more than 3 consecutive days without consulting your physician.

Headaches

• Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol

Heartburn/Indigestion

• Maalox Plus
• Mylanta II
• Tums or Rolaids
• Tagamet (Pepcid AC, Zantec, Axid)

Vaginal Yeast Infection

• Monistat 7
• Gynelotrimin
• Mycelex
  

Hemorrhoids

• Preparation H
• Anusol
• Stool softeners
• Increased fiber and liquids

Constipation (try stool softener first)

• 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily
• 6-8 glasses of clear fluid daily (approx 64 ounces)
• Surfak, Dialose, Colase
• Colase Plus
• Dialose Plus
• Milk of Magnesium
• Glycerin suppository
• Fleet Enema (if above fails)

Diarrhea

• Clear liquids for 24 hours followed by a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) for 24 hours
• Immodium AD
• Kaopectate
• Avoid dairy products
• Avoid caffeine

Nausea and Vomiting

• Clear liquids for 24 hours followed by a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) for 24 hours
• Small, frequent, bland meals
• Avoid dairy products
• Avoid caffeine
• Call for prescription if no relief

Nose Bleeds

• Lie down, pinch nostrils together for several minutes, apply ice packs to bridge of nose for 30 minutes

Leg Cramps

• Eat foods that are high in calcium and protein
• Wear support hose
• Massage area; apply heating pad for 20 minutes, 3 times a day
• Increase liquids (i.e.: Gatorade, water, tonic water)

Fluid Retention

• Elevate legs above hips and head. Tilt to the left for one hour, twice daily
• Wear support hose-not knee highs or thigh highs

Good Things To Do During Pregnancy

• Exercise of all forms is encouraged during pregnancy. Drink plenty of water. Stop if you feel dizzy or short of breath
• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and lean meats.
• Rest for 1 hour a day. It is safe to sleep on your back, right or left side.
• Add 1500mg of calcium per day for bone protection.
• Take your prenatal vitamins daily.

Things to Avoid During Pregnancy

• Tanning beds, hot tubs, saunas, or extreme heat, especially during the first trimester
• Non Steroidal drugs including Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and Aspirin
• Litter box contact due to toxoplasmosis
• Fast foods (high calorie and salt intake)
• Cold cut meats, hot dogs, soft cheeses
• Foods high in fat (fried foods)
• Excessive sweets
• Undercooked eggs
• Limit your fish intake due to mercury
• Alcohol and Illegal Drugs or unsafe narcotics

Things That Are Safe During Pregnancy

• Painting walls in your home as long as the area is well-ventilated (no ladder climbing)
• Hair permanents and hair color (after 1st trimester)
• NutraSweet (use in moderation- 2-3 beverages per day)
• Flu vaccine (H1N1 and seasonal flu)
• TB Skin test (PPD)
• Tetanus/Whooping Cough vaccine
• Hepatitis vaccine

Prenatal Classes are offered by Saint Joseph East

Postpartum Instructions
 
Things that can be normal after delivery:

• Back pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Cramping
• Urinary discomfort
• Baby Blues
• Leg swelling

Things to watch for after delivery: (please contact us if any of these symptoms occur)

• Postpartum Depression
• Fever or chills
• Blurred vision
• One leg swelling with redness/pain
• Persistent headaches
• High blood pressure
• Swelling of face and hands
• Nausea and vomiting
• Incision or episiotomy infection
• Red, painful, swollen breasts

Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression
It is very common to develop a wide array of emotions in the days following the birth of your baby.  Baby blues is the term used for the state of anxiousness, sadness, anger, and crying spells that may occur 2 or 3 days after delivery.  Most baby blue spells will go away within a week.  During this time, you need to make sure that you have a good support system (family and friends to help you and that you can talk to).

If the blues symptoms last longer than a week or if the symptoms become more intense, you may be suffering from postpartum depression.  

Signs and symptoms of depression are:

• Baby blues that last longer than 1 week
• Strong feelings of depression, anger, or anxiety
• Unsettled behavior
• Intense concern and worry about the baby
• Lack of interest in the baby or your family
• Panic attacks
• Thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

If you have any of these symptoms, please call us immediately for treatment.

Vaginal Bleeding
After delivery, you may experience heavy bright red bleeding for the first few days and clots may be visible.  Do not use tampons; only use sanitary pads to avoid infection.  A week or so following delivery, the blood/discharge will get lighter in volume and color.  Bleeding can last up to 4-6 weeks.

Painful Perineum*
During your vaginal delivery, your doctor may have had to perform an episiotomy or your perineum may have torn.  You may experience some pain and discomfort once you get home.

To help with this, you may:

• Apply cold packs or chilled witch-hazel pads to the area
• Take sitz baths (soaking in a few inches of warm water will help)
• May use over the counter Dermaplast spray
• Apply warm water to the area after urination using a squeeze water bottle
• Always wipe from front to back to prevent infection

Cramping
Your uterus will continue to contract and relax as it gets back to the normal size after delivery.  This can cause you to have cramping and discomfort.  This is called afterbirth pains. Most of the time, the pains go away within 3 days of delivery.

Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids may develop or worsen after childbirth.  To relieve the discomfort, you may take sitz baths or use cold witch-hazel compresses.  If the pain gets severe, please contact us for a prescription.

Follow up
Approximately 6 weeks after delivery, your doctor will have you come in for your postpartum exam.  During this visit, the doctor will discuss your return to work, resuming sexual intercourse, birth control options, and will probably perform a pap smear.  
    
If you had to undergo a cesarean delivery, your doctor will have you come back for a check up 1 to 2 following delivery. The main purpose of this visit is to check your incision and your vitals to ensure proper healing.