About Your Ob Visit
If you are reading this, you have probably already completed your first prenatal visit. There will be a number of return visits during your pregnancy. These visits are very essential for a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. The time you spend at these visits allows you to ask questions and to talk about any concerns you may have.
A Routine OB Visit includes:
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weight
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urine check
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blood pressure
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baby growth check
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listening for the baby's heartbeat
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watching for pregnancy complications and responding to any concerns you may have
Some visits will require additional workup such as:
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After 10 weeks a test is offered to be done on maternal blood to check for chromosomal abnormalities and gender
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Around the middle of the pregnancy, an ultrasound is done for anatomy
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By 28 weeks, a test for gestational diabetes is done
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Between 35 weeks and 37 weeks vaginal culture is done to yest for group B streptococcus bacteria.
Generally, the time between visits will become more frequent. Initially, and until you are approximately 28 weeks, your visits will be every 3- 4 weeks. From 28-36 weeks, your visits are every 2 weeks, and from 36 weeks until delivery, every week.
If you miss an appointment please try to make it up as soon as you can as certain tests have to be timed accurately during the pregnancy and should not be delayed.
If you have any questions, the doctor, nurses, or office staff will be happy to assist you.
Over The Counter Medications During Pregnancy:
(Do not use more than 2 days. If your symptoms do not subside in two days call the office)
Headaches, muscle aches, and pain
- Tylenol 1-2 tablets every 4 hours
Nasal congestion
- Normal Saline spray
- Flonase
Coughs
- Robitussin DM 1 ‘Tsp every 4hrs
Sore Throat (You can gargle with salt water. DO NOT SWALLOW because it can cause swelling)
- Sucrets throat lozenges
- Cepacol
- Vicks, Halls, and Ricolla
Allergy
- Zyrtec, Claritin, Muccinex, and Benadryl
Constipation
- Drink plenty of water (6 or more Glasses a day)
- Increase fiber intake: Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole wheat bread, pasta and cereal
- Exercise, at least by walking.
- Miralax or Colace for softer stool
Diarrhea
- Pepto Bismol, and Immodium
Heartburn
Avoid fatty, spicy, sugary, and acidic foods.
- Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, and Rolaids, Prilosec, Nexium
Hemorrhoids
-Hydrocortisone 1%, Witch Hazel, Tucks, Preparation-H, Anusol
PATIENTS SHOULD NEVER TAKE- Aspirin, Goody’s, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Naproxen, Aleve, Sudafed.
*IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICATIONS, PLEASE CALL 512-444-1811
COMMON COMPLAINTS DURING PREGNANCY
1. Nausea
- Eat dry crackers, toast, or cereal whenever nausea starts. Eat 5 or 6 small meals each day so your stomach does not get empty. Avoid eating greasy or spicy foods. Limit your liquid intake during meals but drink water freely between meals. Avoid strong food smells until nausea passes. Peppermint, ginger root tea, and ginger food products may help. Vitamin B6 also may help
2. Tender Breasts
- Wear a good support bra. If it is more comfortable, you may want to wear it during sleep.
Tylenol may help.
3. Frequency of Urination
- Limit fluids before going to bed and before going where restroom facilities are limited. Be sure to drink plenty of water at other times. Always wipe from front to back. If you get chills, fever, a bad headache, or have pain and burning when you go to the bathroom, call the office.
4. Fatigue
- Try to get daily exercise by walking to help prevent fatigue by conditioning your body and improving circulation. Plan to relax by lying down on your (left) side at least once a day toward the end of the pregnancy. It is common to feel this way in early pregnancy and in the last two months.
5. Constipation
- Increase fiber intake. Eat raw fruit, vegetables, prunes, and whole-grain or bran bread, pasta and cereals. Drink at least 6 glasses of water a day. Exercise by walking is especially good. Never hold back the urge to have a bowel movement. Metamucil or other fiber products may be helpful. Miralax or Colace may help if no result from the above.
6. Hemorrhoids
- Avoid constipation and diarrhea. Take brief Rest periods during the day with legs elevated. Sit only on firm surfaces. Drink plenty of fluids and eat “roughage” fiber. Apply gauze soaked in witch hazel, tucks, or hemorrhoidal ointment. If severe, call the office.
7. Lower Backache
- Rest frequently during the day. Maintain good posture. Don’t stand in one position or one- place too long- shift positions. Use footstool under your feet while sitting to keep knees higher than hips. Wear low-heeled shoes. Heat and Tylenol may help. Stretching exercises help.
8. Vaginal Discharge
- If you have symptoms of itching, burning, odor, or non-white discharge, call the office. Light yellow/white discharge without any symptoms may be OK. Avoid vaginal sprays, powders, feminine hygiene products, and colored or scented toilet tissue. DO NOT DOUCHE.
9. Heartburn
- Avoid greasy, acidic or spicy foods. Don’t lie down just after eating. Try eating smaller amounts of foods but eat more often (5-6 times a day). Maalox and Salt-Free Tums may help.
10. Dizziness
- Move slowly in changing positions to avoid creating blood pressure change, especially if you have been lying down. Eat regular meals. Drink plenty of water to keep your blood from being too low (pregnancy lower your blood pressure). Avoid long exposure to the sun.
11. Sharp Pains
- Lie Down. Move slowly in changing positions. This may occur at night after having suddenly rolled over. Heat and Tylenol may help.
12. Varicose Veins
- Avoid stockings or girdles with elastic bands, but support hose may be helpful if put on early in the day. Frequently, lie down for rest periods and elevate legs. Avoid standing for a long time. Elevate legs whenever you sit down.
13. Shooting Pains Down Legs
- Change positions immediately. Sit if standing or stand up if sitting. Stretching might help.
14. Lower Leg Cramps
- Take prenatal vitamins and get adequate calcium. Elevate legs frequently during the day. Use a heating pad or hot water bottle for relief. Point toes upward and press down on kneecap to help relieve the cramp.
Stretching might help.
15. Trouble Sleeping
- DO NOT eat immediately before sleep, but drinking milk helps sometimes. Try a warm bath before going to sleep. Use extra pillows to get comfortable. Ask someone to give you a back rub. Avoid drinks with caffeine.
16. Feel faint when lying on back
- Lie on left side
17. Swelling of feet and hands
- Avoid salty and processed foods such as potato chips, bacon, olives, etc. Eat 3 servings of protein each day. Frequently, elevate feet. Wear loose clothes and shoes. Frequently, get exercise.
18. Bleeding gums
- Use a softer toothbrush and a gentle brushing technique. Increase you intake of orange juice and foods high in Vitamin C. Inform your dentist if it continues.
