MORNING SICKNESS: If you feel sick to your stomach, try keeping a few soda crackers by your bed and eating them before you get out of bed. Try eating smaller meals more frequently. Call our office if you vomit everyday. Call our office or Emergency Room at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center if you are unable to keep any liquids down for more than six hours.

VAGINAL BLEEDING OR SPOTTING: If any vaginal bleeding or spotting occurs, stay off of you feet as much as possible and call our office during office hours 208- 746-1383 ext 6510. If bleeding is as heavy as a period, or heavier contact our office or the OB/GYN on call, they can be reached by calling the office number after hours. In case of vaginal bleeding do not put a tampon in the vagina and avoid sexual intercourse.

COLDS AND FLU: Drink lots of fluids, especially water and juices. Take your temperature 2-3 times a day. If your temperature is over 101, call your family Doctor or our office. Although no medication is actually tested safe for pregnancy, the following over-the-counter medications seem to be relatively safe for use:

• Acetaminophen - any brand (for example, Tylenol). You make take 2 regular strength or one extra-strength tablet every 4-6 hours for aches and fever.
• Sudafed - (Not Sudafed Plus or PE) as directed on package, for congestion.
• Robitussin DM - when needed for a bad cough. Call your primary care provider if you are coughing up green or yellow phlegm or if cough is severe. You may call or office if you can not reach your primary care provider.
• Warm salt water gargles can be soothing to a sore throat. You can also try Cepacol throat lozenges occasionally. If your throat is very sore, call your family doctor or our office.

AVOID: Aspirin, Ibuprofen. Call our office if you have a special need for medication not listed. Try to avoid most medications during the first trimester unless otherwise stated by your doctor.

Allergies: You may try Chlortimeton, Benedryl, Zyrtec, Claratin.

Constipation: Try to increase your fluid intake, natural fiber in the form of fruit, vegetables and dried fruit. If need you can try stool softners and miralx.

Diarrhea: If you are unable to tolerate any food or fluids call our office and you may try Immodium for severe diarrhea. Remember to stay well hydrated.

HEARTBURN: You may use TUMS, Rolaids, Mylanta, Maalox, Gas-x, Gelusil or Gaviscon. Do not use Pepto bismol. Gaviscon is a better product for true heartburn.

HEADACHES: Try 1 extra strength or 2 regular strength Acetaminophen ( Tylenol) tablets. Rest and ice. Call our office or you family doctor if the headache is severe.

HEMORRHOIDS: Anusol is an over - the - counter medication that you can try. Try to keep your stool soft by eating high fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereal and bread. Also drink 6 - 8 glasses of water per day.

SWELLING OF YOUR HANDS AND FEET: Try to stay off of your feet more. Rest. Drink plenty of water and avoid salty foods. Wear support pantyhose. Avoid knee- high socks or stockings. Try to avoid sitting in a way that puts pressure on the back of your knees. Call our office or the on call Doctor at the hospital if you have sudden swelling of your face, or if there is a sudden increase in you swelling.

FAINTNESS OR DIZZINESS: This is a common problem during pregnancy and usually does not indicate a serious medical condition. Getting up slowly from lying or sitting positions best relieves it. If this becomes a frequent problem, do not drive or operate heavy machinery, and contact the office for further evaluation.

TRAVEL: The doctors are not opposed to travel up to a month before your due date, as long as there has been no bleeding, or other complications with your pregnancy. If you will be riding in a car for a long distance, it is a good idea to get out of the car every 2 hours and walk around for at least 5 minutes and Schedule frequent bathroom stops. Flying is okay if in pressurized planes, as long as you are not anemic. For long distance travel, be aware of local medical facilities along your route.

OTHER THINGS TO AVOID: Hot tubs, saunas, tanning booths, hot springs. Do not drink alcoholic beverages including beer and wine. Do not use any "recreational drugs."