Page 5 - Guide to Pregnancy

When to call the doctor
If you experience any of the following, please contact us immediately as these are considered emergency:
• Continuous leaking of fluid (water broken) • Abdominal trauma or car accident
• Heavy bleeding
• Fever greater than 100.4o, exposure to flu
• Decreased fetal movement
• Urinary tract infection
• Headache with vision changes
• Painful contractions greater than 6 times an
hour if less than 36 weeks
• Change in vaginal discharge, itching, odor,
more watery
Please use this chart to determine how you should treat certain illnesses or symptoms throughout your pregnancy. If in doubt, call the office.
Illness/Symptom
Call The Office If:
Call the Doctor Immediately If:
Home Treatment:
Bleeding/Cramping
•Some bleeding/ spotting may occur after an internal exam
•Bleeding accompanied with cramping
•Bleeding is heavy (using a pad every hour)
•2nd & 3rd trimester cramping or painless heavy bleeding
•Cramping is equal or worse than menstrual cramps
•Rest
•Avoid heavy lifting (more
than 20 pounds)
•No intercourse until resolved •Wear only pads
Vomiting
•Common in 1st trimester
•Unable to keep down liquids and solids for more than a 24 hour period
•Weight loss of more than 3-5 pounds in one week
•Signs of dehydration occur (e.g. dry mouth, fatigue/ lethargy, poor skin turgor)
•Abdominal pain accompanied with vomiting
•Vitamin B6 25 mg three times a day
•Separate liquids from solids (e.g. dry cereal followed by
a glass of milk 1 hour later)
•Plain popcorn •Rest
•Avoid hot sun
Decreased fetal (baby) movements after
24 weeks
•Baby moves less than 4 times in a 30 minute period while you are resting, during a normally active period
of baby
•No fetal movement if accompanied by severe abdominal pain
•Rest
•Drink juice or soft drink •Eat a small snack
Labor
•If less than 36 weeks, contractions stronger than Braxton-Hicks (mild, irregular contractions), but may not be regular
•If less than 36 weeks, call if contractions are every
15 minutes
•Contractions are every 5 minutes apart for 1 hour
•Water breaks; small leak or as a gush
•Bleeding is more than a period •Pain or contractions won’t
go away
•Rest (you’ll need energy for real labor)
•Increase fluids to 8-12 glasses daily
•Dehydration can cause contractions, especially in the summer
Urinary Urgency and/ or Pain With Urination •Frequency is common
in early and late pregnancy
•Pain with urination •Feeling of urgency to void
with little urine produced
•Temperature of 100.4oF or higher
•Pain in upper back •Contractions occur •Blood in urine
•Urinate at regular intervals •Increase fluid intake to
8-12 glasses daily
Swelling
•Recent, noticeable increase in feet and ankles if in a.m. Swelling of feet & ankles is common near the end of the 3rd trimester and at the end of the day
•Swelling of face and hands
•Swelling accompanied with headache or upper abdominal pain
•Swelling with decreased fetal movement
•Elevated blood pressure if using home monitoring
•Lie on left side and elevate legs •Avoid salty foods (e.g. ham,
pizza, chili)
Cold and Flu
•Temperature of 100.4oF or higher •Green or yellow mucus
develops
•Persistent cough for more
than 5 days •Exposure to flu
•Breathing is difficult or wheezing occurs
•Tylenol, Actifed, Sudafed, and any Robitussin
•Increase fluids •Rest
•Use vaporizer
Rupture of membranes
•Water breaks; small leak or as a gush
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