Your guide to a healthy pregnancy.
Whether you just found out or you’re counting down the weeks, this page gathers the everyday answers our patients ask for most: first steps, healthy habits, common discomforts, which medicines are OK to take and when to call us.
Pregnancy at a glance
- Due date About 40 weeks from your last period
- First visit 8–10 weeks, with ultrasound
- Prenatal vitamin Daily, with folic acid
- Pain or fever Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
Just Found Out?
Your first steps
Congratulations! Here is what to do in the first few weeks.
- Start a prenatal vitamin Choose one with folic acid, at least 400 mcg a day, to help protect your baby’s brain and spine.
- Schedule your first visit Call us to book your confirmation visit with ultrasound, usually at 8 to 10 weeks.
- Review your medicines with us Keep taking your prescriptions until you talk with us. Don’t stop anything on your own.
- Leave out alcohol, smoking and vaping It’s one of the best things you can do for your baby, starting now.
Quick tool
Estimate your due date
This estimate assumes a 28-day cycle. Your provider will confirm your due date, usually with an ultrasound.
Healthy Habits
Taking care of you, and your baby
Small, everyday choices make a big difference. Here are the basics we share with every patient.
Eat well
Nutrition
- A balanced plate with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein
- About 340 extra calories a day in the second trimester and 450 in the third
- A daily prenatal vitamin with folic acid
- Plenty of water throughout the day
Foods to avoid
Food safety
- Raw or undercooked meat, eggs and seafood
- Unpasteurized milk, juice and soft cheeses
- Deli meats and hot dogs, unless heated until steaming
- High-mercury fish: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, bigeye tuna, marlin and orange roughy
Caffeine
Keep it moderate
- Keep it under 200 mg a day, about one 12-ounce cup of coffee
- Tea, soda, energy drinks and chocolate count too
Stay active
Exercise
- Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week
- Walking, swimming and prenatal yoga are great choices
- Skip contact sports and activities with a risk of falling
- Check with us before starting something new
Things to skip
For you and baby
- Alcohol. No amount is known to be safe
- Smoking, vaping and marijuana
- Hot tubs and saunas
- Changing the cat litter. Ask someone else to do it
Rest and protection
Sleep and vaccines
- Later in pregnancy, sleep on your side. A pillow between your knees helps
- Rest when you can, especially in the first trimester
- Ask us about recommended vaccines, such as the flu shot and Tdap
Common Discomforts
Normal, but not always comfortable
Most pregnancy discomforts are normal and come and go. These simple tips can help. If something worries you, call us.
- Nausea and morning sickness Eat small meals often, keep crackers by the bed and try ginger. Call us if you can’t keep food or fluids down.
- Heartburn Choose smaller meals, go easy on spicy or greasy foods and wait a few hours after eating to lie down. Ask us which antacids are right for you.
- Constipation Add fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink plenty of water and keep moving.
- Back pain Wear low-heeled shoes, lift with your legs and try a warm (not hot) compress or a prenatal massage.
- Swollen feet and ankles Put your feet up and avoid standing for long. Sudden swelling of your face or hands needs a call to us right away.
- Feeling tired Rest when you can and keep up gentle activity. Energy often returns in the second trimester.
Medication Guide
Cold, flu and COVID-19 medicines during pregnancy
Feeling sick while pregnant? This guide covers common over-the-counter medicines, prescription antivirals and supplements. Always use medicines as directed, and call us before starting something new.
KeyRecommendedOK as directedShort-term onlyPrescriptionAsk us firstAvoid
| Medicine | Used for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Over-the-counter medicines | ||
| AcetaminophenTylenol®Recommended | Fever, mild to moderate pain | The recommended choice for pain and fever in pregnancy. Studies have not found a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when it is taken for a short time as directed. Treating a fever during pregnancy is important. |
| NSAIDsIbuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®), regular-strength aspirinAvoid | Fever, pain, inflammation | Should be avoided in pregnancy, especially after 20 weeks. They can reduce the fluid around the baby and cause problems with the baby’s kidneys, heart and lungs. If we prescribed low-dose aspirin for you, keep taking it as directed. |
| DextromethorphanRobitussin®OK as directed | Cough | Little research has been done, but available studies do not suggest a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when taken for a short time as directed. Avoid liquid medicines that contain alcohol. |
| GuaifenesinMucinex®OK as directed | Thinning mucus | Little research has been done, but available studies do not suggest a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when taken for a short time as directed. |
| PseudoephedrineSudafed®Ask us first | Nasal congestion | A few studies suggest a small increased chance of birth defects when used in the first trimester, though most studies have not. There is little information about later in pregnancy. If you have high blood pressure, check with us first. |
| PhenylephrineSudafed PE®Ask us first | Nasal congestion | Taken by mouth, it does not work well for congestion. The nasal spray works better, and only a small amount reaches the baby. If you have high blood pressure, check with us first. |
| DoxylamineOK as directed | Runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing | Studied in hundreds of thousands of pregnancies without a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems. |
| LoratadineClaritin®OK as directed | Runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing | Studies have not shown a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when used as directed. |
| CetirizineZyrtec®OK as directed | Runny or stuffy nose | Studies have not shown a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when used as directed. |
| DiphenhydramineBenadryl®OK as directed | Runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing | Studies have not shown a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when used as directed. In rare cases, uterine contractions and pregnancy loss have been reported in the third trimester when it was used longer or in higher doses than recommended. |
| Oxymetazoline nasal sprayAfrin®Short-term only | Nasal congestion | Only a small amount reaches the baby, and studies have not shown a higher chance of birth defects when used as directed. Do not use it for more than 3 days in a row, or congestion can get worse. |
| Cough drops, throat sprays and chest rubsWith camphor, menthol, phenol or benzocaineShort-term only | Cough, congestion, sore throat | Not well studied in pregnancy. Using them for a short time as directed is not thought to increase the chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems. Avoid ongoing use. |
| Antiviralsprescribed by your provider | ||
| Oseltamivir or zanamivirTamiflu®, Relenza®Prescription | Flu prevention and treatment | Studies have not shown a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when taken as directed. Starting within 48 hours of your first symptoms lowers the risk of severe illness from the flu. |
| Peramivir or baloxavirRapivab®, Xofluza®Ask us first | Flu prevention and treatment | Not studied for use in pregnancy. Talk with your provider about the risks and benefits. |
| Nirmatrelvir/ritonavirPaxlovid®Prescription | COVID-19 symptoms | Little research has been done, but available studies do not suggest a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems when taken as directed. Starting within 5 days of your first symptoms lowers the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. |
| Supplements and homeopathic productsnot regulated by the FDA the way medicines are | ||
| Vitamin CUsual amount only | Colds and flu | The usual recommended amount in pregnancy is 85 mg a day. Higher doses have not been studied in pregnancy. |
| ZincUsual amount only | Colds and flu | The usual recommended amount in pregnancy is 11 mg a day. Higher doses have not been studied in pregnancy. |
| EchinaceaAsk us first | Colds and flu | The few available studies do not suggest a higher chance of birth defects or pregnancy problems, but products could contain unlisted ingredients, such as alcohol or lead. |
| Elderberry, propolis and homeopathic productsZicam®, Boiron®, Hyland’s® and othersNot studied | Colds and flu | Not studied for use in pregnancy, so there is no information about possible risks. |
| Herbal teasAsk us first | Colds and flu | Many herbs have not been studied in pregnancy, and some could increase pregnancy risks. Ask us before using teas that claim to treat or prevent illness. |
Helpful tips
- Choose products with only one medicine, rather than combinations you might not need
- Avoid liquid medicines that contain alcohol
- Treat a fever. Acetaminophen is the recommended choice
- Antivirals work best when started early, so call us as soon as symptoms start
Relief without medicine
- Saline nasal spray
- Nasal strips
- Shower tablets
- Warm water with lemon and honey
- Salt water gargle
- A clean humidifier
- Plenty of fluids
- Lots of rest
Adapted from “Cold, Flu, and COVID-19 Medications During Pregnancy,” developed by MotherToBaby and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). It is a general overview, not a complete list, and does not replace advice from your provider. More fact sheets are available at mothertobaby.org.
Don’t wait
When to call us right away
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, call us at 770-451-3100.
For an emergency, call 911. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 any time.
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking
- A severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling of your face or hands
- Severe or constant belly pain
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher
- Your baby moving less than usual
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks
- Vomiting so much you can’t keep fluids down
- Feeling very sad, anxious or hopeless
Ready to schedule your first visit?
Call us and we’ll find a time that works for you. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.
We accept most health insurance plans in Georgia
Visit Us
Contact & Location
-
Phone
-
Fax
770-451-3343
-
Email
-
Hours
Mon – Fri, 8am – 4pmClosed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30