Although some medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy, the results of other medications on your coming baby are unknown. According to the CDC, about two-thirds of women in the United States take one or more prescription medications during pregnancy. Yet most medications have actually not been sufficiently studied for their safety during pregnancy. One report notes that more that 90% of the medications approved by the FDA from 1980 to 2000 had insufficient data to determine safety in pregnancy. Therefore, it is crucial to pay unique attention to medications you take while you are pregnant, especially during the first trimester, which is an essential time of advancement for your baby.
Safe Medication During Pregnancy
An approximated 50% of U.S. pregnancies are unplanned. Therefore, all women of childbearing age need to discuss the risks of any medications you take with your doctor, including non-prescription medications.
If you were taking prescription medications before you conceived, make certain to ask your doctor about the safety of continuing these medications as soon as you learn that you are pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the advantage to you and the risk to your baby when making his/her suggestions. With some medications, the risk of not taking them may be more serious than the risk connected with taking them.
If you are recommended any brand-new medication, please inform your doctor that you are pregnant. Be sure to talk about the threats and benefits of the freshly prescribed medication with your doctor prior to taking the medication.
Also read: Dizziness and Fainting During Pregnancy
What Type of Drugs Allowed During Pregnancy
Prenatal vitamins, now readily available without a prescription, are safe to take during pregnancy. Ask your doctor about the safety of taking other vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements during pregnancy. A lot of natural preparations and supplements have not been proven to be safe during pregnancy. Generally, you must not take any over-the-counter medication unless it is necessary.
The following medications and home remedies have no recognized hazardous results during pregnancy when taken inning accordance with the bundle instructions. If you wish to know about the safety of any other medications not listed here, ask your doctor.
| Condition | Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy* |
| Allergy | Antihistamines including: Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Efidac, Teldrin) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, Loradamed, Tavist ND Allergy) Nasal spray oxymetazoline (Afrin, Neo-Synephrine) (Check with your doctor first.) Steroid nasal spray (Rhinocort) (Check with your doctor first.) |
| Cold and Flu | Robitussin (check which ones, some should not be use din 1st trimester), Trind-DM, Vicks Cough Syrup Saline nasal drops or spray Actifed, Dristan, Neosynephrine*, Sudafed (Check with your doctor first. Do not use in first trimester.) Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Tylenol Cold Warm salt/water gargle *Do not take “SA” (sustained action) forms or “Multi-Symptom” forms of these drugs. |
| Constipation | Citrucil Colace Fiberall/Fibercon Metamucil Milk of Magnesia Senekot |
| Diarrhea | For 24 hours, only after 12 weeks of pregnancy: ImodiumKaopectateParepectolin |
| First Aid Ointment | Bacitracin J & J Neosporin |
| Headache | Tylenol (acetaminophen) |
| Heartburn | Gaviscon Maalox Mylanta Riopan Titralac TUMs |
| Hemorrhoids | Anusol Preparation H Tucks Witch hazel |
| Nausea and Vomiting | Emetrex Emetrol (if not diabetic) Sea bands Vitamin B6 (100 mg tablet) |
| Rashes | Benadryl cream Caladryl lotion or cream Hydrocortisone cream or ointment Oatmeal bath (Aveeno) |
| Yeast Infection | Monistat or Terazol Do not insert applicator too far |
| *Please Note: No drug can be considered 100% safe to use during pregnancy. | |
Are Alternative Pregnancy Medicine Therapies Safe?
Many pregnant women think “natural” products can be safely used to alleviate nausea, backache, and other irritating symptoms of pregnancy, but a lot of these so-called natural products have actually not been evaluated for their safety and efficiency in non-pregnant women, much less in pregnant women. For that reason, it is very important to contact your doctor prior to taking any alternative therapies. He or she will not suggest a product or therapy up until it is shown to be safe and reliable.
There are some alternative therapies that have been revealed to be safe and effective for pregnant women to take to ease some of the unpleasant side effects of pregnancy.
- Queasiness in early pregnancy: acupuncture, acupressure, ginger root (250 milligram pills 4 times a day), and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, 25 milligram two or 3 times a day) work well.
- Backache: chiropractic manipulation and physical therapy must be considered.
- Turning a breech baby: exercise, hypnosis, and traditional Chinese treatment (burning incense-like compound on the fifth toe) have actually proven useful.
- Pain relief in labor: epidurals are most reliable, however injections of sterile water near a woman’s tailbone works surprisingly well, as do immersion in a warm bath, and a high tech nerve stimulator called TENS system. Relaxation methods, patterned breathing, psychological support, and self-hypnosis are currently extensively used alternative therapies in labor.
Also read: Home Remedies for Yeast Infections in Pregnant Women
Alternative Pregnancy Medicine Therapies to Avoid
The following compounds have the possible to hurt a developing baby when used in a concentrated solution (not as a spice in cooking). Some are believed to cause birth defects, and possibly motivate early labor.
- Prevent these oral supplements: Arbor vitae, Beth root, Black cohosh, Blue cohosh, Cascara, Chaste tree berry, Chinese angelica (Dong Quai), Cinchona, Cotton root bark, Feverfew, Ginseng, Golden seal, Juniper, Kava kava, Licorice, Meadow saffron, Pennyroyal, Poke root, Rue, Sage, St. John’s wort, Senna, Tansy, White peony, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yellow dock, vitamin A (big doses can cause abnormality).
- Avoid these aromatherapy important oils: calamus, mugwort, pennyroyal, sage, wintergreen, basil, hyssop, myrrh, marjoram, and thyme.
If you have any doubt concerning the safety of a medication, both traditional and alternative, contact your doctor prior to taking it.
