Nutrition, Medications, and Other Recommendations
Supporting a healthy pregnancy involves making informed choices about what you eat, the medications you use, and your daily habits.
Proper nutrition provides the foundation for your baby’s growth, while safe medications and mindful lifestyle choices help ensure both your well-being and your baby’s development. Always consult with your healthcare provider to address any specific needs or concerns.
Nutrition Information
Proper nutrition is one of the most important ways to support your baby's growth and your own well-being during pregnancy. Making thoughtful choices about what you eat and drink can positively impact your baby’s development and help ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Fish
Avoid
Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, Big Eye tuna, marlin, orange roughy, or tilefish. These fish contain high amounts of a form of mercury that may harm an unborn baby's brain or nervous system.
Limit
Fresh water fish caught by family and friends to one serving each week.
Enjoy
Up to 12 ounces of other cooked fish each week. Fish contain DHA, an omega-3 fat, that is important in development of the baby's brain, nerves, and retina.
If you do not eat seafood, talk with your provider about a DHA supplement (at least 1200 mg per week) that is safe to take during pregnancy.
Listeriosis
Listeriosis is an illness caused by bacteria found in certain foods. Symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle aches, and backpain. The disease can cause serious problems for the fetus, including miscarriage or stillbirth.
To prevent listeriosis, wash all fruits and vegetables before using them. Avoid the following foods:
- Unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, ciders.
- Raw or undercooked meat or poultry, runny eggs.
- Prepared meats, such as hot dogs or deli meats, unless they are heated until steaming hot.
For a complete list of foods to avoid in pregnancy and updates on food recalls, visit Foodsafety.gov.
Vitamins
Please take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid 800mcg per day and DHA 200mg per day.
Water
Water is an essential nutrient that is commonly overlooked. It assists in digestion and transport of food. Water is the main substance in cells, blood, and other vital body fluids. It also aids in maintaining body temperature. You should drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water and non-caffeine liquids every day. Please limit caffeine to 200mg/day.
Snacks
Snacks should be nutrient-rich. Good choices include fresh fruit and vegetables, yogurt, low-fat cheese, cereal, and low-fat crackers.
Remember, a healthy lifestyle and wise food choices during pregnancy can help your baby get a healthy start in life.
Common Medications That Are Safe to Use in Pregnancy
Please follow package directions for use unless stated otherwise below.
General Aches & Pains
- Tylenol (acetaminophen) regular or extra-strength
Colds/Allergies
- Saline mist, humidifier
- Decongestants containing phenylephrine, Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) may be used after the 12th week of pregnancy
- Robitussin, Robitussin-DM, or Dextromethorphan for cough
- Cough drops, throat lozenges, Vicks, vapor rub
- Benedryl
- Claritin, Zyrtec
- Allergy shots
Heartburn, Stomach Upset
- Pepcid, or Prilosec OTC, Prevacid
- Tums or Rolaids
- Maalox or Mylanta
Constipation
- Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, Colacec, Miralax, Senokot
Diarrhea
- Imodium, clear, liquid diet with Gatorade or Pedilyte
Hemorrhoids
- Preparation H, Tucks, or Anusol
Nausea
- Benadryl, Dramamine
- Ginger and Ginger products (high-concentrated sugar drinks like Ginger Ale)
- Seabands for your wrists
- Over-the-counter Unisom half tablet in the evening
- Vitamin B6 (25mg) up to 3 times daily
- Take a prenatal vitamin in the evening after a meal.
Other Recommendations
Vaccines
Tdap, COVID, and Flu vaccines are highly recommended during pregnancy.
Anesthetics and Topical Medications
Use local anesthetics for dental work. Ask your provider about medicated facial products or prescribed topical medication.
Avoid products in Saccharin.
Nutrasweet (aspartame) or Splenda in minimal amounts.
Prescribed Antibiotics
Use prescribed antibiotics as prescribed by your healthcare provider: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Azithromycin, other penicillin-type antibiotics, Clindamycin, Flagyl (metronidazole), Bactrim, Keflex, and other Cephalosporins.
For any other prescribed medications, please contact McFarland Clinic OB/GYN.