Medications During Pregnancy


General Guidelines:

  • Follow the directions on the package as there is no need to adjust dosing during pregnancy for the medications on the list.
  • If your symptoms do not improve with these medications or if you are planning to take a medication that is not on the list, call us FIRST.
  • Generic equivalents are safe.
  • Call your Pediatrician for any questions related to medications while breastfeeding.


Safe Medications During Pregnancy


Symptom: Nausea, Vomiting
Medication: Emetrol, Benadryl, Dramamine, Less Drowsy Dramamine, real Ginger Ale, Sea Bands


Symptom:  Gas, Indigestion, Heartburn
Medication:  Mylanta, Maalox, Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, Tums, Rolaids, Zantac or any  other-the-counter indigestion medicines


Symptom:  Sinus, Colds
Medication:  All cough and throat lozenges and sprays, Robitussin DM, vapor rub, pseudoephedrine


Symptom:  Headache
Medication:  Regular or Extra Strength Tylenol, Tylenol-PM


Symptom:  Diarrhea
Medication:  Immodium AD after 24 hours of symptoms


Symptom:  Constipation
Medication:  Metamucil, Citrucel, Benafiber, Colace, Miralax


Symptom:  Fever Blisters
Medication:  Campophenique, Blistex


Symptom:  Seasonal Allergies/Rhinitis
Medication:  Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Flonase, Nasonex, Mucinex

 

Medications to AVOID During Pregnancy:


Asprin: Excedrin, Bufferin, Goodys, BC Powder
Ibuprofen: Advil, Nuprin, Midol, Motrin
Naproxen: Aleve, Naprosyn
Ketoprofen: Orudis, Actron
Decongestants: Sudaphed PE


Check with your Doctor before using:
Nasal Sprays
Milk of Magnesia

 

Activities Recommendations:
Your physician may need to modify these recommendations based on your specific health considerations. Before any activity, notify the professional in charge that you are pregnant. Tobacco smoke and alcoholic beverages should be avoided. Pregnant women should also avoid secondhand smoke. The safety of e-cigarettes is undetermined, and many of these products contain flavorings, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Caffeine consumption should be limited to the equivalent of 8oz of coffee per day.


Amusement Park Rides
Follow park recommendations


Bathing
Tubs baths and showers are allowed


Cats
Avoid handing cat litter. If absolutely necessary use gloves and a mask


Dentist
Good dental hygiene is associated with better pregnancy outcomes. Local anesthetics (numbing injections or gels) and shielded x-rays are permissible if necessary.


Exercise
Exercise is good for you and your baby. Avoid overly strenuous activity by following these common-sense guidelines:

  • If it hurts, don't do it.
  • Stay aerobic (able to speak in full sentences). If you are huffing and puffing, slow down.
  • Avoid activity that requires balance and risks injury (cycling, skiing, roller blading, etc).


Exterminators
Avoid areas with strong odors


Fumes
Avoid any fumes/odors that cause nausea, headaches, or dizziness


Hair Treatments
Avoid perms and hair color. Highlights and lowlights are allowed with proper ventilation


Horseback Riding, Skiing, and Roller Blading
Avoid these and other sports that risk trauma to your abdomen


Hot Tubs
Allowed after the first 12 weeks of Pregnancy. The temperature should not exceed 100 degrees F


Nails
Manicures and pedicures and allowed. Acrylic nails are allowed with proper ventilation


Painting
Allowed with proper ventilation. Avoid lead and oil-based paints


Swimming
Allowed


Tanning
Avoid tanning beds! Adequate sunscreen should always be used for outdoor activities. Tanning lotions are allowed.


Useful Links for Environmental Exposure Concerns 

The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unites (PEHSUs) works with health care professionals, parents, schools, and community groups to provide information about protecting children from environmental hazards.
http://www.pehsu.net/general_public.html


Below is the link to the University of California, San Francisco's Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment.
http://prhe.ucsf.edu/prhe/families.html


Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes annual lists of "dirty dozen" (foods likely to be high in pesticide residue) and "clean 15" (foods likely to be low in pesticide residue).
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/


Other important resources include:
www.cdc.gov/Zika
www.cdc.gov/CMV/index.html


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