Medications and pregnancy
Questions often arise
regarding the use of medications during pregnancy. You may be trying to
conceive and are wondering how your current medication might be affecting your
attempts to conceive. Or maybe you just found out you're pregnant and are
wondering if the drug poses a risk to your baby.
Contact the doctor who
prescribed the medicine for you. You may find that the benefits of taking the
drug outweigh the potential risks. You and your doctor can analyze these
factors and try to determine the best course of action for you and your child.
Be aware that many women take
prescription drugs during pregnancy for necessary reasons such as diabetes,
seizures, depression, anxiety, and other illnesses. Some pregnant women take
medication to relieve common pregnancy discomforts such as heartburn, morning
sickness, or headaches.
Pregnancy may affect the
effectiveness of your medicines. When you are pregnant, your blood volume
increases and your heart and kidneys work harder. This means that medications
may pass through your body faster than usual. This may mean that you need to
take more medication or take it differently.
In most cases, there are
different types of medicines for a specific problem. Your doctor may change the
type of medication you are taking to meet your medical needs while reducing the
risk to your developing baby.
Medication risk factor classifications
Each drug has a classification
of risk factors associated with potential risk factors during pregnancy. These
ratings, along with an assessment of the risks and benefits of using a
particular medication in your situation, will help you and your doctor
determine what action to take.
Categories of drugs for
pregnant women:
- Category
A: Controlled studies found no risk or
found no evidence of harm.
- Category B: Animal studies have shown no risk, but no controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant women.
- Category C: Animal studies have shown a risk to the fetus, no controlled studies in women, or studies in women and animals are not available.
- Category
D: There is positive evidence of potential
risk to the fetus, but the benefits of use in pregnant women may be acceptable
despite the risk.
- Category X: Animal or human studies have shown fetal abnormalities or there is evidence of risk to the fetus. The drug is contraindicated in women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Category C is a confusing
category. A drug receives this classification if there is insufficient data on
its use during pregnancy. It may be safe or probably safe, or it may be
potentially harmful.
Alternatives to drugs
Your doctor has the best in
mind for you and your developing baby. She may try to change the course of
treatment to include other methods such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, or
behavioral techniques. Of course, this depends on the medical conditions you
are facing.
Recommendations
You should never start or stop
taking any medication during pregnancy without first talking to your doctor.
Here are a few steps to help you and your developing baby be well taken care
of.
- Always consult your doctor: this is your first and most important step.
- Read the label: pay attention to any warnings or signs of pregnancy. You should also look into potential allergic reactions as well as expiration dates.
- Be aware of side effects: ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects. Some medications cause side effects such as drowsiness, headaches, or vomiting, which can be exacerbated by pregnancy hormones.
- Organize your medicines: Be careful not to mix medicines to avoid overdose.
- Don't skip your medications: take them as directed by your doctor.
- Don't share drugs!
- Ask questions: It is appropriate to ask questions about the safety of medicines for you and your developing baby. Learn about the drug name, generic alternatives, benefits and risks, and issues to watch out for.
- Keep a record: It's always a good idea to keep a record of your medications, whether you're pregnant or not. This becomes even more important if you wait.