Women’s Health A-Z

Pregnancy & Safe Medications & Treatments

Pregnancy can be an incredibly exciting time, but we also know it can come with a lot of symptoms and changes to your body. The last thing you should have to worry about on top of your pregnancy is how to treat an illness or minor discomfort. Below, you’ll find a list of treatments for minor discomforts that are approved in pregnancy.

  • Allergies or sinusitis: Clor-Trimeton, Dimetapp Elixir, Dimetapp Extendtabs (4mg.), Sudafed without pseudoephedrine, Zyrtec, Claritan, or Benadryl
  • Colds: Coricidin, Nasal Saline Spray, Sudafed, Tylenol Cold/Sinus
  • Constipation: Colace (docusate), Glycerin Suppositories, Magnesium Citrate (1 btl), or Milk of Magnesia. Make sure you get plenty of exercise and also be sure to drink sufficient liquids. Eat plenty of bran foods, fruits, and veggies. Prunes are a natural laxative, and you may eat them eaten raw or stewed or drink their juice.
  • Cough: Non-medicated cough drops or Robitussin
  • Cramping: Tylenol, increased water intake, and a warm bath. Occasional menstrual-like cramping is common in early pregnancy. If cramping persists, becomes severe, or is associated with bleeding, contact our office.
  • Dental Work: Novocaine or Xylocaine (without Epinephrine). X-rays may be taken if the abdomen is shielded. Inform the dentist of your pregnancy, especially if there is a need to prescribe medicine.
  • Diarrhea: Kaopectate or Imodium
  • Exercise: Pregnant women are encouraged to exercise, though you should avoid contact or high-risk sports. If bleeding occurs, increase water intake and decrease activity. Do not use hot tubs or saunas.
  • Exposure to Rubella, Chicken Pox, or Shingles: Contact our office.
  • Fever: You may use regular or extra-strength Tylenol. If your temperature reaches 100.4 degrees or higher, contact our office. For all respiratory infections, rest in bed as much as possible, drink plenty of fluids, and use a vaporizer if available. Contact our office if you do not notice any improvement within a few days.
  • Headache: Tylenol (regular of extra-strength), increase water intake
  • Heartburn/Indigestion: Mylanta Gelcaps, Pepcid, Rolaids, Tums, OTC Zantac. Avoid gas-producing foods as well as large meals and fatty foods. Chew gum after each meal.
  • Hemorrhoids: Avoid constipation, do not strain, take 15 minute warm sitz baths 3-4 times a day, and lie of your left side with feet elevated as often as possible. You may also use Preparation H and Tuck Pads.
  • Lower-Extremity Swelling & Varicose Veins: Hydrate with water, elevate feet over the level of your heart, avoid salts and sweets, and wear compression socks
  • Paint & Chemicals: Do not expose yourself unnecessarily in non-ventilated areas to paint, strong cleaning agents, or solvents. Read all directions and warnings on products carefully.
  • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Skin Rashes: Benadryl, Caladryl, or Cortaid
  • Sore Throat: Chloraseptic Lozenges or Spray
  • Spotting or Bleeding: Spotting after intercourse or after a pelvic exam is normal. If bleeding worsens, however, please call our office.
  • Travel: Please discuss plans with your physician before you travel. We do not recommend flying after 35 weeks for routine pregnancy, and we generally do not recommend travel in the last four weeks of pregnancy. Avoid heavy lifting, including anything as heavy as a suitcase. If you are traveling, plan frequent stops (at least every two hours) to walk around for a few minutes to reduce the risk of blood clots, and make sure to drink plenty of water. Before you travel, refer to the CDC.gov website for up-to-date information on areas at risk for the Zika Virus.
  • Urinary Tract Infection: If you experience any symptoms of a UTI, such as a foul odor or burning with urination, call our office.
  • Vaginal Discharge and Yeast Infections: An increase in vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy. If there is a burning, itching, or a foul odor, contact our office. If you have a yeast infection, you may use Gyne-Lotrimin or Monistat. Use the three or seven-day treatment. Do not get the one-day treatment as it is too strong.
To schedule an appointment with a VPFW provider, you can call us at 804-897-2100 or set an appointment online.