Paintcreekobgyn.com

WHAT CAN I TAKE FOR COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS OR HEARTBURN?
Tylenol, Tylenol Cold, Sudafed, Actifed, Robitussin, and Triaminic anytime during pregnancy. Please call the office if your temperature is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid aspirin and cold remedies that contain alcohol. Most antibiotics including Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Keflex, Augmentin, Flagyl, Clindamycin, and Zithromax are considered safe in pregnancy. Please check with our office if another physician gives you any other antibiotics. For heartburn, Tums, Mylanta, Tagamet, and Zantac are all safe options. CAN I USE NUTRISWEET OR DRINK CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES?
You can drink one to two cans of diet pop or one to two cups of coffee/cans of Cola or Mountain Dew per day. Splenda is a good alternative to NutraSweet. CAN I SMOKE OR DRINK ALCOHOL IN SMALL AMOUNTS?
Tobacco and alcohol use are associated with complications in pregnancy, including poor fetal growth, birth defects, and stillbirth. There are no known safe amounts of tobacco or alcohol, and they should be discontinued as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test. Second hand smoke is also harmful. WHAT WILL HELP MORNING SICKNESS?
You may consider stopping your prenatal vitamin and substituting with an adult daily multivitamin. If neither is tolerable, try a children’s chewable vitamin. It is best to drink any fluids with a small amount of food. Sport drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade are helpful. Ginger products such as ginger tea, ginger ale, and ginger root may also help. Try to eat small, dry meals throughout the day. Also, vitamin B6 at up to 25 milligrams three times daily (this may be taken in addition to your prenatal vitamin) can be very effective. If you are still nauseated, a very good (and safe) treatment is to combine Unisom (the over-the-counter sleep medication) and vitamin B6. The recommended dosing is vitamin B6 25mgs three times daily, with Unisom ½ tablet in the morning and 1 tablet (25mgs) at bedtime. If none of these remedies work, and you are showing signs of dehydration (dizziness, urinating small amounts, etc.), please call us and we may recommend you go to the hospital. EVERYONE TELLS ME TO SLEEP ON MY LEFT SIDE – WHY?
Actually it only begins to be advisable to sleep on one side or the other (right or left) after approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy. You naturally will often just feel better and probably do it on your own. The baby and placenta will receive better blood flow this way and so don't worry if you happen to wake up on your back, just change your position. Try to remember this when in bed or on the couch. WILL I HAVE AN ULTRASOUND?
A screening ultrasound will be done at 18-20 weeks at the Fetal Imaging Dept. at Beaumont Troy or Royal Oak. This detailed ultrasound will examine the fetal anatomy, verifying a singleton or twin pregnancy, and may identify the sex of the baby (if you want to know!). If problems or concerns arise during your pregnancy, additional ultrasounds may be required and we will discuss this during your prenatal visits. HOW MUCH WEIGHT SHOULD I GAIN?
If your pre-pregnancy weight is normal, the average weight gain is 25-35 pounds. If your pre-pregnancy weight is over 150 pounds, we suggest a weight gain of 15-20 pounds. If your weight is over 200 pounds, we recommend no weight gain during the pregnancy. The baby will still obtain the nutrition needed to grow normally. IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL DURING PREGNANCY?
If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, it is safe to travel. We do not recommend that you travel more than 1-2 hours away from the hospital after your 34th week of pregnancy. If you are traveling by car or airplane, it is important that you wear your seatbelt. In a car, use both shoulder and lap belts. The lap belt should be under your abdomen, riding low across your hips. Whether by car or airplane, it is important that you walk around every 2 hours or so to ensure blood circulation in your legs. This will help lower your chance of developing a blood clot in your legs. WHEN DO I SIGN UP FOR CHILDBIRTH CLASSES?
There is a handout in our waiting room for classes taught by a labor/delivery nurse at Troy Beaumont. Please see the sheet for details about her class, start times, etc. You may also contact the info line (800.633.7377) for other classes at Beaumont hospital. Beaumont offers not only a birthing class, but also breastfeeding, infant CPR, infant care, and sibling classes. It is recommended that you sign up for your birthing class early as they can fill up quickly. Birthing classes cover labor signs/symptoms, relaxation and breathing techniques, vaginal and c-section deliveries. CAN I PERM OR COLOR MY HAIR?
We recommend you wait until after the first trimester or twelve weeks of pregnancy before highlighting, coloring, or perming your hair. WHAT IS A SAFE LEVEL OF EXERCISE?
If you have been exercising regularly before pregnancy, you may continue with modifications. If you are planning to start an exercise program, begin slowly. Your target heart rate is 140 beats per minute and you may need to “cool down” occasionally to achieve this. Stretching exercises should be done slowly, and do not lay down flat on your back. Crunches are recommended instead of full sit-ups. If lifting weights, we suggest high repetitions with low weights. Swimming, treadmills, and ellipticals are safe. Take breaks and drink plenty of water. Remember to listen to your body! IF I’M OVER 35, DO I NEED AN AMNIOCENTESIS?
If you will be 35 years young at your due date, or have a family history of genetic problems, the option of an Integrated Screen, an amniocentesis, or a CVS will be discussed at your first visits. A Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist performs the amnio or CVS. The Integrated screen is a combination blood draw and Fetal Imaging ultrasound at approximately 12 weeks, and another blood draw at around 16 weeks of pregnancy. The amnio is done around 16 weeks or the CVS at approximately 12 weeks. ARE THERE ANY WORK RESTRICTIONS?
You may continue working during your pregnancy. Most companies begin maternity leave at 38 weeks, but you will need to check with your human resource department for your policy details. We recommend avoiding overtime. Prolonged standing and lifting greater that 25 pounds should be avoided. If there are complications during pregnancy, you may be instructed to stop work earlier and disability coverage may apply. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may be available to you. WHAT FISH IS SAFE TO EAT?
Please see the information sheet from the Department of Health in your "goody" bag given to you at one of your first visits and/or visit their web sites ator CAN I GO TO A TANNING SALON OR USE A HOT TUB?
Because of a concern about raising your core body temperature, we do not recommend using tanning beds or hot tubs in the first trimester and only for a very short time (10 minutes or less) in the second and third trimesters. The same applies to sunbathing. SHOULD I GO TO TROY OR ROYAL OAK BEAUMONT?
We will instruct you based on your gestational age (weeks pregnant) or if your pregnancy is high risk. If you are less than 28 weeks, or high risk for another reason, you will go to Royal Oak. Otherwise, we will instruct you to go to Troy Beaumont’s West Entrance. Troy Triage, Labor & Delivery, and Post-Partum are all private rooms.

Source: http://paintcreekobgyn.com/pdf/FAQ.pdf