Here are some safe medications that can be taken anytime during pregnancy. Please call the office if your temperature is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is a safe and recommended antiviral for the flu in pregnancy and is best started within 48 hours of symptom-onset.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – a safe pain reliever and fever reducer
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin) – a cough suppressant
Guaifenesin (Mucinex) – an expectorant that helps loosen mucus
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec), and chlorpheniramine – antihistamines
Flonase, Nasonex, or Rhinocort – intranasal corticosteroids

Ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and alcohol-containing cough medicines and night-times formulas. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a decongestant that should generally be avoided in the first trimester due to a small risk of abdominal wall birth defects but can be considered for use later in pregnancy.

Tums, Mylanta, or Rolaids are all safe over-the-counter options. If these don’t provide sufficient relief, ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or famotidine (Pepcid) can be considered.

Fiber supplements like Metamucil or Citrucel, stool softeners like Colace or Surfak, and osmotic laxatives like Miralax or Milk of Magnesia. Other options include Dulcolax pills or suppositories and Fleet enemas.

There has been research on whether caffeine increases the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth, but the results are unclear. Most experts agree it’s safe to drink about one to two cups of coffee or other caffeinated beverage a day. Pay attention to tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and other caffeine sources when you’re calculating how much you’re taking in. We recommend limiting caffeine consumption to less than 200 milligrams per day.

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. Secondhand smoke is also harmful. Marijuana use in any form is discouraged due to concerns regarding impaired neurodevelopment.

You can try taking your prenatal vitamin at night. Also, 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. Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade are helpful. Water is sometimes upsetting so you can try drinking diet pop or sparkling water. Once you are feeling better, we recommend 8-12 cups (64-96 oz) of water per day. Ginger products such as ginger tea, ginger ale, and ginger root may also help. Try to eat small, frequent, dry meals throughout the day. Also, vitamin B6 up to three times daily (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 doxylamine (the over-the-counter sleep medication called Unisom) with vitamin B6. The recommended dosing is vitamin B6 10-25mg orally (either alone or in combination with doxylamine 12.5mg orally), 3 times daily. Doxylamine is best taken at night as a preventative measure for nausea. 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.

A lot of women read online that they should sleep on their left side throughout their entire pregnancy, but that’s difficult and not necessary. You can sleep on either side, right or left. You just want to avoid sleeping on your back later in pregnancy. You can sleep on your belly, but you’ll get to a point where it’s just not possible. Usually after 24 weeks (about 6 months) of pregnancy it is advisable to sleep on one side or the other. As your belly grows, sleeping on your back puts more pressure on the blood vessels that supply blood to your uterus. If you find yourself sleeping on your back in your second or third trimester, don’t panic. Just turn to one side or the other. You naturally will often just feel better and probably do it on your own.

A first trimester ultrasound is done in our office to confirm your due date and verify a singleton or twin pregnancy (or more!). An anatomy screening ultrasound will be done around 19-20 weeks in our office or at the Fetal Imaging Department at Corewell Troy or Royal Oak. The detailed ultrasound will examine the fetal anatomy and may identify the sex of the baby (if you want to know!). Sometimes we’ll recommend an ultrasound in the third trimester to see how baby is growing. If problems or concerns arise during your pregnancy, additional ultrasounds may be recommended, and we will discuss this during your prenatal visits.

If your pre-pregnancy weight is normal, the average weight gain is 25-35 pounds. If your pre-pregnancy weight is considered overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9), the recommended weight gain is 15-25 pounds. If your pre-pregnancy weight is considered obese (BMI >30), the recommended weight gain is 11-20 pounds, and you may often find that your weight remains unchanged or even notice some weight loss depending on your starting weight. If your pre-pregnancy weight is underweight (BMI <18.5), it is recommended to gain 28-40 pounds.

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.

If this is your first baby, we strongly advise you take advantage of the classes. They can provide helpful information and help to reduce anxiety as a new parent. Corewell offers not only a birthing class, but also classes for pregnancy, parenting, and beyond. Some classes offer both in-person and virtual sessions and examples include a breastfeeding class, infant CPR and choking, infant car seat safety, and new parent prep course to name a few. There is also information on how to schedule a birthing unit tour. 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, among other things. Please visit online at https://www.beaumont.org/services/womens-services/maternity for more information.

We recommend you wait until after the first trimester or twelve weeks of pregnancy before highlighting, coloring, or perming your hair.

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 lighting weights, we suggest high repetitions with low weights. We recommend using dumbbells, but not barbells. Prenatal yoga, swimming, treadmills, and ellipticals are safe. Take breaks and drink plenty of water. Remember to listen to your body!

We recommend genetic screening in all pregnancies, regardless of your age. If you will be over 35 years of age at or before your due date, or have a family history of genetic abnormalities, you are at increased risk and genetic testing is especially recommended. Screening Tests:

• Carrier screening is done on parents (or those just thinking about becoming parents) using a blood sample. These tests are used to find out whether a person carries a gene for certain inherited disorders. Carrier screening can be done before or during pregnancy.
• Prenatal genetic screening tests of the pregnant woman’s blood and findings from ultrasound exams can screen the fetus for aneuploidy; defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects (NTDs); and some defects of the abdomen, heart, and facial features. They include first-trimester screening, second-trimester screening, combined first- and second-trimester screening, and cell-free DNA testing. Most commonly in our office, we recommend cell-free DNA testing with Panorama, which can be drawn after 10 weeks of pregnancy.

If there are any concerns on a genetic screening test, we usually refer you to a genetic specialist who may offer additional testing or diagnostic testing.

You may continue working throughout your pregnancy unless certain complications arise. Most companies allow 6 weeks leave for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks leave for a cesarean section. You will need to check with your human resource department for your policy details. We can assist you with filling out this paperwork. We recommend avoiding overtime. Prolonged standing and lifting greater than 25 pounds should be avoided. If there are complications during pregnancy, certain restrictions may apply or you may be recommended to stop working earlier.

Please see the included information sheet and/or visit the FDA website at https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish.

It’s best not to. Some studies suggest that using saunas and hot tubs early in pregnancy, especially for long periods of time, is associated with birth defects. Your core body temperature rises when you use saunas and hot tubs. This rise in temperature can be harmful for your baby. If used during the second and third trimesters, we recommend limiting use to a very short time (10 minutes or less). The same applies to a tanning salon or sunbathing.

We deliver at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital. In the event that you have complications more than 12 weeks (about 3 months) prior to your due date, you may need to be evaluated at Corewell Health Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital.