This is a very complex topic so please refer to the Pregnancy Reference Guide for complete information. In general terms you should avoid the following:

• Ready-to-eat meals, poultry, seafood, and dairy products
• Certain fish that contain high levels of methyl mercury (Swordfish, Tilefish, King Mackerel, Shark)
• Raw or undercooked foods (except fruit and vegetables properly washed)
• Meat
• Seafood
• Eggs
• Caffeine (OK if less than 300mg per day)
• Alcohol (NONE)

If you are having problems with nausea, you may begin prenatal vitamins at any time. These may aggravate nausea in some patients. In that case, wait until seeing your doctor for advise on when to start taking them.

This is caused by elevated hormones. If you are primarily queasy with no vomiting, we recommend small frequent feedings (eight per day), no prenatal vitamins, and Vitamin B6, 50 mg, four times daily. If vomiting persists and cannot keep liquids down, please contact our office right away.

Early pregnancy creates general fatigue by the usage of 300 calories of energy per day in the development of the fetus. Be assured that usually after a period of time, you will begin to feel better and have more energy.

You may use non-aspirin products for headaches. If headaches persist and are uncontrolled by medication, call our office. For colds, you may use Sudafed orally. Kaopectate may be used for diarrhea, and over-the counter antacids for heartburn. Please refer to the “APPROVED MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING” section of the Pregnancy Reference Guide for a comprehensive list of safe medications.

We usually anticipate an average of 24-48 pounds during pregnancy. We will discuss individual situations.

A small number of abdominal twinges are normal as the uterus enlarges and the fetus grows. Anything equivalent to menstrual cramping occurring on a regular basis should be evaluated by our office. Bleeding as a period is never considered normal and should be reported immediately. Spotting or a few small brown-red drops may occur after intercourse and would be considered normal. If spotting occurs without having intercourse or is combined with cramping should be reported to us.

Mumps is not of a concern during pregnancy. Measles, Rubeola, and Roseola are the most common form of measles seen today. They are usually childhood diseases, and if transmitted to an adult are mild and cause no problems to the fetus. However, Rubella or the 3-day German measles are very harmful especially if contracted during the first trimester or 12 weeks. We will draw initial lab work at your first office visit to determine your immune level. If there is no immunity, we will give you guidelines for your pregnancy and also make sure a vaccine is given after delivery. Fortunately, in the general population Rubella is not commonly seen due to childhood immunizations. If you have previously had Chickenpox, you have developed immunity to the disease and if exposed you do not need to worry. If you never have had Chickenpox, contact our office if exposed and we will discuss your individual risk factors. Remember, a true exposure is one who actually has the infection at the time of contact with you. A contact to a parent or family member with an ill child is NOT exposure.

Initially, as the uterus enlarges, more pressure is placed on the bladder thus causing a need to urinate more frequently. As you progress in the pregnancy, the uterus will raise away from the bladder and some of the early symptoms will subside.

Exercise is very important to your well-being and better health during pregnancy. We prefer you avoid riskier sports such as water and snow-skiing, all-terrain vehicles, horseback riding, etc., in which you could more easily fall or injure yourself. Prenatal aerobics, stationary bike, swimming, walking, and jogging (if you are already in condition) are very safe.

An average pregnancy diet includes 2,000-2,200 calories a day. The emphasis is on food groups and increasing certain areas of each. Average daily allowances should include: six servings of proteins (meat, eggs, fish, and poultry); four to five servings of milk products (milk, dairy products, cheese, yogurt, etc.), and four to six servings of breads (bread, rice, rolls, cereals, pastas). Fluids should be increased to six to eight glasses of water daily. These are basic guidelines to get you started.