Pregnancy FAQs

For headache: Pregnant women are prone to headaches from the rising hormone levels. They also commonly get headaches right after delivery from the dropping hormone levels. You can take Tylenol and Extra-strength Tylenol, and use heat, neck massage and chiropractic adjustment. NO Aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or other “anti-inflamatory / NSAIDs”. NO migraine medications without first discussing them with our office.

For allergies: Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Chlor-Trimeton, Alavert, Tavist, Xyzal, and saline nose spray. NO Sudafed or Allega, Vistaril, Clarinex. Note that Sudafed is the “D” in allergy medicines such as “Claritin-D”. NO nasal steroids.

For asthma: Asthma may get better or worse in pregnancy. Although most asthma inhalers are labeled, “Category C” (may pose a risk in pregnancy), most doctors agree that an asthma attack / decreased oxygen poses more risks to mom and fetus than the medication.

For a cold: Vitamin C 1000mg a day. Sore throat lozenges, sprays and cough drops. Robitussin cough syrup. Vicks Vaporizers. Saline nose spray. Note that Airborne, Echinacea and other herbs have not been studied in pregnancy. NO Nyquill, Musines or other “multi-symptoms cold relievers”.

For constipation: Pregnant women are prone to constipation because the hormones of pregnancy slow the movement of the intestines. To prevent constipation the most important thing is to drink enough water: 8-10 glasses a day. You can add one glass of prune juice a day and a fiber supplement / stool softener such as Colace, Surfak, FiberCon, Metamucil, Citrucel. Also Gas-X for gas. NO suppositories or laxatives because they can cause contractions.

For Insomnia: Benadryl and Tylenol PM (which contains Benadryl). White noise makers.

For indigestion / reflux: Pregnant women are prone to reflux because the pregnancy hormones slow the transit of food out of the stomach and loosen the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. In the last trimester the growing uterus also pushes the intestines up against the stomach. Eat more frequent but smaller meals. Avoid spicy foods. You can take Pepsid, Prevacid, Tagamet, Zantac, Tums. NO Pepto-Bismol (because it has aspirin).

For hemorrhoids: Pregnant women are prone to hemorrhoids due to constipation and the pressure of the uterus on the blood vessels around the anus. You can use Tucks, Anusol, Preparation H, witch hazel, and do sitz / Epson salt baths.

For a yeast infection: You can take Acidophilus / lactobacilli probiotics or eat yogurt with “live cultures”. After the first trimester it is OK to use Monistat or other over-the-counter yeast medications and use Vagisil for itching.

For poison oak: Benadryl pills and lotions. Aveno lotion and bath flakes.

We recommend an over-the-counter daily prenatal vitamin with DHA/omega fatty acids (which may help with brain development) such as Similac Prenatal, Nature’s Made, or Costco and Wal-Mart brands. In your second trimester add a generic calcium 500mg a day and an iron pill such as BiFera. Take your iron and calcium at separate meals, because they can compete for absorption in the stomach.

Eat crackers first thing upon waking up. “Graze” (eat frequent small meals instead of three large meals). Avoid fatty, spicy, and acidic foods. Avoid strong odors. Meals should be bland and dry. Try the “BRAT” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). Try a protein-rich diet (chicken, eggs, cheese, meat, fish) or a carbohydrate-rich diet (bread, rice, cereal). Drink your fluids separately from your meals. Maximize your nutrition (eat homemade soup, bone broth, add protein powder to pancakes, etc.). Drink clear, carbonated liquids (Ginger Ale, Sprite, and 7-UP). Avoid coffee. Drink ginger, peppermint, or orange teas. Stop your prenatal vitamins and iron, but continue to take a folic acid supplement. Try peppermint essential oil in a room diffuser or smell fresh-cut lemons. Take ginger capsules 250mg four times a day (or try ginger candy) and take Vitamin B6 10-25mg three times a day. Take ½ of a Unisom tablet at night. Wear acupressure wristbands (sold for motion sickness). If these remedies do not work, call our office to discuss prescription medication options.

Pregnant women are at risk for serious complications (even death) if they catch the flu. We recommend a flu vaccine — ask for the preservative and mercury free vaccine.

It is OK to get Hepatitis B vaccines and a PPD test when you are pregnant. Do not get any “live” vaccines.

Dairy: When you are pregnant you should not eat or drink any unpasteurized dairy products (such as raw milk straight from a cow or unpasteurized yogurt) or partially pasteurized cheeses. The pasteurization process kills a bacteria (called Listeriosis), which infects some cows. Listeriosis can cause the baby to die (stillbirth or death shortly after birth).

Meat: When you are pregnant you should not eat any uncooked meat or meat products (such as sushi, raw eggs, or cooked-rare meat). The cooking process kills bacteria, parasites and other harmful infections (such as mad cow disease) that can cause the baby to have birth defects or die (stillbirth or death shortly after birth). Food poisoning can also be dangerous in pregnancy.

Avoid artificial sweeteners. Eat healthy food. Cut out junk food / fast food. Vegetarians / vegans need to make sure they eat enough protein and iron.

A study showed that newborn baby blood can be contaminated with pesticides (from produce) and steroids, antibiotics and growth hormones (from meat).  We suggest that all our pregnant patients wash their fruits and vegetables and try to eat organic.

Recommendations regarding consumption of fish in pregnancy are complicated. On the one hand, fish are a good source of omega-3 DHA fatty acids, which have shown a benefit when added to infant formula and may have a benefit to developing babies’ brains. On the other hand, there is growing concern over mercury contamination in the waters of the world (oceans / rivers / lakes) and the potential harm this could have on a developing fetus, including a possible link to autism. The FDA recommends pregnant women eat 8-12 ounces (340gms) a week of a “lower mercury” type of seafood, however, since many prenatal vitamins now contain added omega-3 DHA, so some doctors recommend avoiding fish altogether during pregnancy. Beware of taking extra fish-oil / fish-liver supplements, as they may also contain mercury. AVOID eating “high mercury” types of fish, including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, tilefish and bigeye tuna (found in sushi).

NO. Even small amounts of alcohol may increase the risks of birth defects and fetal alcohol syndrome – with severe birth defects and mental retardation.

Tobacco and marijuana increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm labor and placental abruption (where the placenta tears away, which can kill mom and baby), and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and still birth, because the baby does not get enough oxygen. Cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, methadone and other pain pills can also cause problems, and the baby maybe born addicted. Smoking can also cause crib death, asthma, and learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder (ADD).

If you have an urgent problem, call the office and get connected to the answering service. They will page the doctor on call.

There has been conflicting studies regarding the safety of caffeine in pregnancy, but most doctors agree that pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake. Caffeine crosses the placenta and is both a stimulant (raising blood pressure and heart rate) and a diuretic (which can contribute to dehydration). Some studies have shown an increased risk of miscarriage associated with caffeine intake. The March of Dimes and the American Pediatric Association recommend limiting caffeine to less than 200mg a day in pregnancy (roughly one 12 oz cup of coffee). Also take note that caffeine is in many different types of drinks and in some headache medications. Learn more from American Pregnancy Association.

On average, the caffeine content is approximately: 

• Normal coffee (8oz) = 125mg

• Decaf (8oz) = 5mg

• Espresso (2oz) = 100mg

• Latte (8oz) = 100mg

• Dr. Pepper or Pepsi or Coke or Mountain Dew (12 oz) = 50mg

• Green tea (6oz) = 15mg 

• Black tea (6oz) = 40mg

It is OK if your therapist is trained to treat pregnant patients. We recommend Dr. Christina Cosh. Massage therapist should avoid the back of your calves, as some studies suggest there are acupressure points that could stimulate contractions.

Moderate exercise for up to an hour is OK. Avoid any overly strenuous or prolonged exercise because blood flow is diverted away from the uterus to your muscles. Pregnant women are also prone to over-heating and injury, from lax ligaments and an altered center of gravity. Avoid exercise that has the potential for falls or abdominal injury, including skiing and horseback riding. Avoid sports with significant vibrations such as jet-skiing or water skiing. Do not start up a new exercise program unless it is pregnancy-specific. The best sports in pregnancy are water sports such as water aerobics and swimming laps.

Yes, but not once your cervix is dilated.

NO. This increases your core body temperature, which can be dangerous for the developing fetus.

Generally yes, but not if you have a placenta previa, have been experiencing bleeding, a threatened miscarriage, or preterm labor, and not once your cervix is dilated. During pregnancy your sex drive may go up or down. Sometimes sex will cause spotting or cramping.

If you bleed beyond just spotting, or have severe cramps, call our office.

Your doctor with discuss the risks and benefits of these tests with you.

Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of waiting vs. inducing labor. Most patients have an induction if they have not delivered by 41 weeks.

In Fall 2021, we are currently experiencing a COVID surge in Redding, California and almost all of the patients hospitalized are unvaccinated individuals. 

The Pfizer COVID vaccine now has full FDA approval. Although pregnant women were excluded during the initial FDA safety studies, data gathered from tens of thousands of women vaccinated during pregnancy has shown it to be safe. The COVID vaccine has NOT been shown to increase the risk of miscarriage. COVID vaccination is recommended in pregnancy by both the CDC (Center for Disease Control), ACOG (the American College of OBGYNs) and SMFM (the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine of high-risk pregnancy specialists).

COVID-19 infection causes mild to severe respiratory symptoms and can lead to pneumonia, death, and long-term disability. Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 (compared to non-pregnant women) are at increased risk for death, ICU admission / intubation, preterm labor, and may be at increased risk for stillbirth and miscarriage. The COVID vaccine is very effective (>90%). The COVID vaccine lowers your chance of catching the virus and, if you do catch it, lessens your symptoms and lowers your chance of transmitting it to others. 

Vaccines are designed to protect you from catching diseases and/or to minimize symptoms and complications if you do catch a disease. Most vaccines do this by exposing your body to “something” (such as a weakened version of the disease, a dead version of the disease, or a piece of the disease) that then triggers your body to form “messenger RNA” (mRNA), that then tells your body to make “antibodies” (immune complexes), which then attack a disease if you are exposed to it. The newer COVID vaccines deliver pre-made mRNA to the body.