Q: Insomnia

Common in late pregnancy Recommendations : Exercise regularly, stay active in the day Try relaxation techniques… warm bath before bed, decrease stimulus in bedroom (for example, no TV), meditation, stretching before bedtime Can use Benadryl, Tylenol PM

Q: Leg Cramps

May increase with dehydration. Recommendations: Increase water Stretch (especially before going to bed) Exercise regularly Increase calcium to recommended daily dose with diet or Tums Increase Potassium in your diet with bananas or figs

Question 1

Backache

admin · Accepted Answer

Caused by increased weight, postural changes, and pressure from a growing pregnancy. Recommendations:

Avoid lifting and high heels
Maintain good posture
Exercise and stretch regularly; use back exercises
Use a maternity belt- available at Motherhood and BabiesRUs
Can use heating pad, Tylenol, or ice packs to lower back

Question 2

Hemorrhoids

admin · Accepted Answer

Caused by increasing uterine pressure, venous dilatation, constipation, and heavy lifting Recommendations:

Avoid constipation (See Constipation recommendations)
Avoid heavy lifting
You can use Tucks pads, ice packs (no heat), and Anusol/Preparation-H
Call if they are blue in color and painful

Question 3

Insomnia

admin · Accepted Answer

Common in late pregnancy Recommendations:

Exercise regularly, stay active in the day
Try relaxation techniques… warm bath before bed, decrease stimulus in bedroom (for example, no TV), meditation, stretching before bedtime
Can use Benadryl, Tylenol PM

Question 4

Leg Cramps

admin · Accepted Answer

May increase with dehydration. Recommendations:

Increase water
Stretch (especially before going to bed)
Exercise regularly
Increase calcium to recommended daily dose with diet or Tums
Increase Potassium in your diet with bananas or figs

Question 5

Nosebleeds

admin · Accepted Answer

Caused by dry nasal passages and worsened by vascular changes in pregnancy Recommendations:

Saline nose spray 3-4 times daily
Use a humidifier
Vaseline jelly to lower nasal septum

Question 6

Swelling

admin · Accepted Answer

Most common in late pregnancy and in hot weather and in women who are on their feet throughout the day. Recommendations:

Increase water
Avoid salty foods
Elevate feet above the level of the heart when resting
Exercise
Avoid squatting, sitting, or standing at length
Wear support hose- available at Motherhood (full length hose are better than knee or thigh high)
Wear Maternity belt – available at Motherhood or BabieRUs
Call if warmth, palpable clot, chest pain, shortness of breath, concerns

Question 7

Varicose Veins/Spider Veins

admin · Accepted Answer

Caused by increased pressure from pregnancy and increased venous dilatation. Recommendations:

Avoid tight clothes
Avoid squatting, sitting, or standing at length
Wear support hose- available at Motherhood (full length hose are better than knee or thigh high)
Wear Maternity belt – available at Motherhood or BabieRUs
Elevate feet above the level of the heart when resting
Call if warmth, palpable clot, chest pain, shortness of breath

Question 8

Yeast

admin · Accepted Answer

Very common in pregnancy. Symptoms include white clumpy vaginal discharge, itching, and burning. Recommendations:

Can use Monistat/Femstat 3 or 7 day treatments (although applicators may be contraindicated if you are at risk for preterm labor or if you have certain placental condition so please call our office if you have any concerns prior to use).
Wear loose fitting clothes and cotton undergarments
Dry off completely after bathing; may use a hair dryer to decrease moisture
Change out of moist clothes quickly after exercise, swimming, etc.
Call if discharge is yellow, green, or has a foul odor, or continues despite treatment.

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