Common Pregnancy related symptoms and what you can
self treat, and
when to call your healthcare provider. If at
anytime you are unsure of your condition, please contact
your physician immediately. The symptoms and
remedies below are meant only as guides. |
 Symptoms |
Remedy
And Action |
When
To Call Your Provider |
|
Nausea and vomiting |
Eat small and frequent meals which are high in protein,
avoid spicy, fatty or fried foods. |
Unable to keep fluids down for 24 hours. Vomiting more than
4 times a day, associated with fever and chills. |
|
Increased rate of urination |
Go when the urge is there to avoid bladder infections. |
Burning with urination, blood in urine low abdominal or low
back pain, fever, chills, nausea. |
|
Increase in vaginal discharge |
Wear panty liners. Avoid douching. |
Itching and/or burning in or near vagina, foul odor, pain
with intercourse, blood tinged or greenish color leakage of
amniotic fluid. |
|
Constipation |
Increase intake of water (more than 2 liters each day),
drink prune juice. Add roughage (i.e. apples, veggies),
increase exercise, avoid foods which constipate (bananas,
rice, eggs). Drink a glass of warm water first thing in the
morning. |
Unable to have a bowel movement for more than three
consecutive days, abdominal pain or blood in the stool. |
|
Diarrhea |
Eat simple foods (rice, toast, applesauce, bananas) avoid
fried, spicy or fatty foods, increase fluids. |
Persistent diarrhea for greater than 3 days, fever chills,
nausea, vomiting. |
|
Backache |
Use proper body mechanics, no heavy lifting, wear abdominal
support brace. Rest, Tylenol 650mg, 20 minutes of ice or
heat as needed. Exercises like pelvic rocks and stretching,
use foot stool to lift leg while standing. |
Numbness or tingling in back, hips legs or feet, sharp pain,
pain not relieved with rest and/or Tylenol. Low back ache
can be a sign of bladder or kidney infection, if associated
with other symptoms like fever. |
|
Swelling in feet |
Increase protein in diet, and don't eliminate salt or take
diuretic, avoid tight fitting socks/stockings and switch to
open, flat shoes, elevate feet several times a day, rest on
left side. Exercise!! |
Sudden swelling in hands and face, a 2 pound weight gain in
a week, concurrent with headache, blurry vision or
heartburn. |
|
Leg Cramps |
Increase calcium and protein in diet. Don't massage the
cramps, increase exercise if cramp is mild. |
Persistent cramps, pain in specific location, or throbbing
sensation, hot or red to the touch, pain worsens when you
flex foot or swelling in just one foot. |
|
Heartburn |
Eat 5 or 6 small meals each day, limit fatty or fried foods,
avoid spicy foods, don't lie down for at least an hour after
eating. Tums, Maalox, Mylanta or generic antacids may be
used after the first trimester. |
Associated with persistent headaches, swelling of face or
hands, or visual changes.
|
|
Abdominal Pain |
Avoid rapid movements, consider the location and the source. |
Abdominal pain of any significance should be discussed with
your provider. Could be a common cause (round ligament pain)
or a danger sign (pre-term labor, etc.) |
|
Headache |
Increase calorie intake, increase fluids, consider the
source of stress, take Tylenol 650mg every 4 hours. |
Headache that is localized on one side of head (Migraine).
Headache that is persistent after trying remedies.
Persistent headache that is associated with swelling in
hands/face, visual changes, upper abdominal pain. |
|
Abdominal Cramps or Tightening |
Less than 4 in an hour are considered acceptable. Increase
fluids, rest on left side, empty bladder, pay attention to
symptoms and keep a record. |
Cramping continues in spite of rest and fluids, bloody
discharge or watery discharge, increases in frequency,
greater than 4 contractions in an hour or intensity of
cramps and/or increase in pelvic pressure. |
|
Bloody Show |
If during the 36th week or after, this is often a normal
sign of impending labor. |
Blood clots, bleeding that soaks a Kotex pad in an hour,
persistent pain, any bleeding before 36 weeks. |
|
Gush of Water |
Consider the source (urine and amniotic fluid can be
mistaken for each other). |
Notify provider if you think water bag has broken. |
|
Dizziness |
Can be caused by low blood sugar or dehydration. Eat small
frequent meals and sip fluids between meals. Always move
slowly from a lying to standing position. Elevate legs often
to increase return of blood to head from legs. |
Any loss of consciousness or dizziness which is significant,
shortness of breath/or significant or persistent chest pain.
|
|
Hemorrhoids |
Avoid straining to have a bowel movement. Establish a
regular bathroom schedule, avoid sitting on toilet "waiting"
for a bowel movement. Warm soaks in bath and Tucks can bring
relief. Take measures to decrease constipation.
|
Significant bleeding from rectum. |
|
| |
