Do I Need to See My Ob or Regular Doc If Either?

Congratulations! Sorry you aren't feeling so well. Oddly enough I got a sinus infection with both pregnancies early on... the only two I've ever had. I'll call the OB first, then probably see the GP. They put me on antibiotics for it, but the kind that were okay for pregnant people. Helped greatly. They also did suggest a sinus rinse first - tried to avoid the antibiotocs, but it didn't improve.
Good luck and enjoy the pregnancy - it will go FAST!

Oh no fun! But congrats on the pregnancy! It might just be a cold, but since you're pregnant your immune system isn't fully up to speed like normal so it really wouldn't hurt to run in to see the doctor. Go to your regular doctor for this as your OB is trained in basic medicine but doesn't specialize in it. Just tell your doctor you're pregnant and they won't prescribe anything you can't take. If you just want to try some home cold medicine, call your OB's office and they can recommend some over the counter medicines that are safe to take while pregnant. Hope you feel better soon!

If you don't have one, I would say go get a thermometer and take your temp! As I discovered when peggers, it seems they are more concerned with your temperature than the other stuff. Just remember to be extra careful and gentle with yourself while you are feeling under the weather. Also, this may sound gross, but I was also very phelmy during my first couple months of pregnancy. (Nose and throat) Something to do with a combination of the hormones and not being able to take allergy meds. So you might not be sick at all! Good luck.

R.,
Having worked in the medical field for 12 years, and as a receptionist for a family care physician for 7 of those years, I got that question a lot. The fact that your phlegm is colored indicates an infection, which means you could need an antibiotic. As to which doctor you should see, it depends on your OB. I have noticed a trend in the last few years where the OB will refer routine care like this back to the primary care physician, but there are OBs that would rather treat their patients for any illness they have while pregnant so they know what is going on and what meds you are taking. Either way is fine, but I would definitely suggest you go in before it gets any worse. Sounds like a classic sinus infection to me. I would call the OB's office and ask what their policy is regarding this kind of situation. They'll either tell you to come in to their office or see your regular doctor. Then you'll know who to see. Congratulations on the pregnancy and I hope you feel better soon!!
J.

R.,
If your teeth are hurting chances are good you have a sinus infection. Don't let that go. They can really knock you out and get worse and turn into other things.I would get into your Dr right away, but be sure to tell/remind him/her that you are pregnant so if an rx is needed it will be one that is safe to take while pregnant. Good luck.

You will probably go to your family physician but I always call the OB first and ask. They are used to all sorts of goofy questions.

just let you regular dr know that you're five weeks. it was fine for me. they know what's safe and what's not.

Call your OB's office and push the button that lets you talk to a nurse. While you haven't had your first appointment, you're a patient and entitled to phone-nurse service. Explain your symptoms and ask if you need to see someone about it or what you can take for it.

Green phlegm usually means you have a bacterial infection plus you have several symptoms. I would go in to your regular doc to be on the safe side- just let them know that you are pregnant in case you need any medications. Not a fun way to start out your pregnancy, huh!

It sounds like you have a blocked sinus - pain in the teeth is a classic symptom. Either your regular doctor or your ob can help - go with the one you're most comfortable with - just let them know you are expecting. I would call first and talk to the nurse to see if/when they would like to see you. Not all blocked sinuses turn into infections that need to be treated. I had a blocked sinus a month or so ago - it resolved on its own. I talked to my dr's nurse and she gave me some home remedies and told me if it lasted longer than a certain time or if it got worse to schedule an appointment. I never needed to go in or use antibiotics. Your dr's office should be able to guide you through what you should do.

Sounds like a sinus infection (green stuff means you need antibiotics and the teeth hurting means your sinuses are full of the green stuff).

You can go to either doc, but OBs usually become your primary care provider while you are pregnant. They are used to seeing colds, back injuries, acne, etc. and will only prescribe stuff that is safe for you and the baby. A general practioner usually thinks of prescribing what is best for the symptoms/illness first instead of what's best for a pregnant mom and baby. Also, your OB will want to know everything you're taking, so if you go to another doc, you'll have to keep a record and remember to follow up with your OB.

I'm 8 months pregnant now (2nd baby) and my general practioner told me to see my OB for everything until about 3-4 months after the baby is born. If there is something serious, my OB can refer me out to other specialists just like my GP can.

Sounds like either a bad headcold or a sinus infection (the teeth hurting suggest something sinus related, and that can also cause the sore throat).

Regular doctor would be the best, as OBs deal with pregnancy related issues. Just make sure he knows your pregnant, and how far along, it can affect treatment options.

You can go to a regular doctor, just be sure to tell him you are pregnant. If you have a fever I would go. Otherwise, I don't know. If you are worried about it, just go.

Sounds to me like a sinus infection. I would see your regular dr. but let them know you are expecting.

Sounds like you may have a sinus infection. I'd definitely go get checked, you can just go to your regular doctor but make sure he/she knows that you're pregnant. That way if they give you antibiotics they'll make sure to give you a safe one.

That is the way that my daughter started out with the flu. Just go to your regular doctor and be sure to tell him that you are pregnant.

Hi R.,
Do you think you may have a sinus infection? This can cause a sore throat and phelm. If you use a "netty pot" you can find them at vitamin cottage or whole foods and cleanse the sinus. I had this when I was pregnant used the netty pot and it kept me off antibiotics and cleared up the infection.
I hope that helps,
L.

Either or neither, I'd say. Sounds like a wicked sinus infection to me. If you're interested in lots of non-drug suggestions, consider calling up a Certified Nurse Midwife. They can prescribe if needed (maybe you actually do need a round of mild antibiotics to kick this) and midwives offer excellent prenatal care but are experts in staying healthy during normal pregnancies. Because they do not perform surgical births, they have a lot more tricks up their sleeves than typical OBs when it comes to keeping moms and babies comfortable and healthy in simple, low-intervention ways (and I'm not talking voodoo here). I see my midwife for my own basic health care now, pregnant or not. The care is more thorough and personal and the births are ten times better. Get well soon and congrats on your growing family!

Regular doctor. Many OB's don't want to see you before 8 weeks. There's not much for them to do before then. And a family doctor will be more aware of the various illnesses currently in your area.

Hi Rachel,

I would go in to see your regular doctor. It sounds like you have a sinus infection - green phlegm usually indicates infection. I have had my share, and it will probably not get better without antibiotics. Your regular doctor can give you an antibiotic that is safe for pregnancy. I always called my OBGYN before taking the meds just to make sure too. I know you hate to take anything while pregnant, but if it is a sinus infection it can get really bad, and it's no fun to be really sick when preggo! You can try warm saline nasal washes with a netti pot, or just the saline mist sprays they sell at the drugstore. It helps with the congestion. I alway gargle with warm salt water too when I have a sore throat and it always helps with the pain.I hope you feel better soon!

Sarah

I would get in to the doctor. I had something that sounds exactly like this this last month. I needed antibiotics. Interesting you say your teeth hurt because mine did too. It took a few weeks for my symptoms to start to go away, even with the antibiotics. I would go to you regular doctor and of course, note that you are pregnant. Oh, I hated being sick and being pregnant...there's so many things you can't take!! If anyone brings up any homeopathic remedies, I would try those if you're up to it! Feel better soon!!!

Go see your regular Dr, since it is not a pregnancy issue. I had the exact same thing early in my second pregnancy!

If it were me, I would call my OB, talk to the nurse there, and see what they thought I should do. Some OBs want to see you for almost everything during your pregnancy--others don't. Call and see if they think you need to be seen, and by whom.

GL!

Hi R. - congratulations on your pregnancy! Just go to your doc - you probably have a sinus infection. Avoid any OTC cold/flu that your doc has not approved. My doc gave me a handout that had a list of all the safe OTC meds. There are plenty of antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy but some are not so make sure they know you are pregnant when you visit.

all the best!

You may need antibiotics, so I'd call your regular doctor.

It sounds like a sinus infection. I have had at least one with every pregnancy. The sooner you get antibiotics, the sooner you'll feel. Just make sure to tell the doctor you're pregnant. The Z-pak always works well for me, but there are some strands of sinus infections that don't respond to it. Congratulations!