Pregnancy
DEALING WITH COMMON AILMENTS DURING PREGNANCY
By Beth Weinhouse
Before you were pregnant, dealing with common ailments like colds or
stomachaches was a no-brainer. Got a headache? Just pop any of a
variety of over-the-counter painkillers. Allergies acting up? Surely
there are antihistamines in your medicine cabinet. But once you're
pregnant, all that changes.
"If you can, it's better to avoid
taking anything during the first trimester when the fetus is rapidly
developing," says Johanna J. Abernathy, M.D., an
obstetrician/gynecologist in private practice in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Even throughout your pregnancy, the best advice is, "If you don't need
it, don't take it."
Many women, savvy enough to want to avoid
medications during pregnancy, may turn to herbal remedies or teas for
relief, assuming that these items are safe. While doctors believe that
most of them are, several have been singled out for warnings. "Because
these aren't viewed as medications, women may not necessarily tell
their doctors about them," says Richard W. Henderson, M.D., an
obstetrician/gynecologist at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington,
Delaware. "Some, such as raspberry and ginger teas, have been used for
centuries, and are considered safe. But six that may be harmful,
because they make the uterus spasm and contract, are: Black cohosh,
blue cohosh, chase tree berry, feverfew, ginseng, and gold seal."
Below
are some recommendations from obstetricians for handling common, minor
medical problems during pregnancy. As always, ask your own doctor for
advice before taking any medications or even herbal remedies.
Headaches Pregnant women should avoid the over-the-counter
painkillers aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc.) during
pregnancy. But acetaminophen (Tylenol) is considered safe. Common
tension headaches are usually caused by stress, and may improve with
relaxation techniques. Other headaches often have triggers -- such as
chocolate -- that can be identified and eliminated. Women who suffer
from migraines or other severe headaches will have to consult a doctor
for stronger, safe
medication.
Muscle Aches These generally go away on their own, but
you can make yourself feel better with gentle massage or warm heat on
the affected area. Tylenol can also relieve the pain. If muscle
soreness doesn't disappear on its own after a few days, consult your
doctor.
Nausea Doctors prefer not to prescribe medication for
the nausea that many women experience during the first trimester of
pregnancy. Instead, they recommend steps like eating small meals and
avoiding spicy foods. Some women find relief with acupressure therapy,
where points on the wrist are pressed. These devices, usually marketed
for motion sickness, range from an inexpensive elastic bands with
plastic dots to provide pressure, to more complicated (and expensive)
electric gadgets that vary the amount of pressure or the speed of the
pulses. Severe nausea and vomiting -- called hyperemesis -- requires a
doctor's care.
Heartburn or Indigestion Doctors say most of the
over-the-counter antacids are safe during pregnancy, including Tums,
Gaviscon, non-sodium Rolaids, Mylanta, and Maalox. Avoiding greasy or
spicy foods and caffeine, which seem to irritate the stomach, may also
help.
Colds and Allergies Humidifiers, vaporizers and
drinking lots of fluids can help with cold and allergy symptoms. If
you're suffering badly early in your pregnancy, the safest option is a
nasal spray such as Neosynephrine, since nasal sprays have a local
effect, and aren't absorbed much into the bloodstream. After the first
trimester, your doctor may give you the okay to use over-the-counter
decongestants such as Actifed or Sudafed. Many antihistamines are also
considered safe after the first trimester; ask your doctor for specific
recommendations.
Cough While many over-the-counter cough syrups are
safe, the big concern here is the alcohol they contain. Even though the
amount of alcohol consumed in a few teaspoons of cough syrup is
minimal, it's wise to ask your physician or pharmacist to recommend a
cough syrup with no- or low-alcohol content.
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The content on these pages is provided as general information only and should not be substituted for the advice of your physician.
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