Midwife Matters

Pain relief and Headache

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best option
• Do not take more than 1,000 mg at one time
• Do not take more than 4,000 mg in one day

NOT RECOMMENDED:  Naproxen (Aleve), Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), especially avoid during 1st and 3rd trimesters!!

Cough, Colds and Sinus Congestion

• Cough drops
• Vicks VaproRub
• Saline nasal spray (Afrin, Ocean Ayr)
• Gauifenesin, an expectorant (Mucinex, Robitussin, Hytuss)
• Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant (Robitussin Maximun Strength Cough, Vicks 44 Cough Relief)

NOT RECOMMENDED:  Cough remedies that contain alcohol, decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine

Fever

• It is very important to treat a fever in a pregnant woman
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best choice to treat a fever in pregnancy

NOT RECOMMENDED:  Naproxen (Aleve), Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), especially avoid during 1st and 3rd trimesters!!

Allergies

• Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
• Laratadine (Claritin, Alavert, Tavist ND)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Cetirrizine (Zyrtec)

Gas Pains

• Simethicone (Gas-X, Mylanta Gas, Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylicon)

Heartburn

• Fast acting antiacids (Tums, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids)
• Longer lasting antiacids: Famotodine (Zantac) and Omeprazole (Prilosce)

Nausea/Vomiting

• Doxylamine (Unisom) and Vitamin B6 200 mg/day

Constipation

• Docusate sodium ( Colace) stool softener
• Laxatives (Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia)
• Fiber (Metamucil, Citrucel, Fiber-Lax)

Hemorrhoids

• Anusol, Preparation H, Tucks

Diarrhea

• Loperamide (Imodium, Kaopectate II, Pepto Diarrhea Control

NOT RECOMMENDED:  PeptoBismol

Vaginal Yeast Infections

• Miconazole (Monistat 3)
• Tioconazole (Monistat 1)
• Clotrimazole (GyneLotrimin 3, Mycelex 7)
• Butoconazole (Mycelex 3, Femstat 3)

Other Fungal Infections

• Tolnaftate (Tinactin)
• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
• Terbinafine (Lamisil AT)

NOT RECOMMENDED:  Certain products not listed here, certain Cruex, Desenex and Fungi Cure products should not be used during pregnancy.  Check labels carefully.

Insomnia

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Unisom SleepGels, Sominex)
• Doxylamine (Unisom Nighttime Sleep Aid)

Itching

• Hydrocortisone (Cortaid, Lanacort)

Cuts/Scrapes

• Bacitracin and Polymixin B (Polysporin)

REMEMBER:

• These medications have not been shown to cause direct harm to the fetus when taken infrequently for a short period of time.
• It is best to avoid most medications during pregnancy if possibe

• You and your healthcare provider can determine if the benefits outweigh the risks