Taking medications during pregnancy can, in most cases, harm the baby because certain components of the drug can pass through the placenta, causing miscarriages or malformations, can induce uterine contractions in advance or even cause unwanted changes in pregnant women and babies.
The most dangerous drugs are those that present a D or X risk, but pregnant women should never take any medications, even if it is Class A, without first consulting the doctor.
- Although it depends on the drug in question.
- The stage of pregnancy in which it is most risky to use drugs is the stage at which the embryonic period occurs.
- That is.
- The onset of the main organs and systems.
- Which occurs during the first trimester.
- Pregnancy.
- Therefore.
- The woman should have additional care during this period.
If the pregnant woman took medication during the period when she did not know she was pregnant, she should immediately inform the obstetrician of the name and amount of medication used, to verify the need for more specific tests, to assess the baby’s health. and herself. Mom.
Although complications can occur at any time during pregnancy, the chances of affecting your baby’s development are higher during the first 3 months of pregnancy and therefore taking medications during pregnancy is more dangerous at this stage.
The FDA has defined several categories of drugs based on their risk of teatogenicity, which is the ability to cause birth defects in infants:
Few medications are included in Category A and are safe during pregnancy or have been studied for testing. Therefore, when deciding on treatment, the doctor should postpone its use, if possible, after the first trimester. , use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible and avoid prescribing new medicines unless your safety profile is well known.
There are some remedies that can be used during pregnancy, which are those described on the label with risk A, but still under the indication of the obstetrician.
After confirming pregnancy, to reduce the risk of your baby’s complications, you should take only the medicines prescribed by the obstetrician and always read the instructions before using the drug to check if there is a risk and what side effects may occur. ?
It is also important to know some natural remedies and shellless teas, such as bulb tea, mackerel or chestnut for example. See the full list of teas that pregnant women should not take.
In addition, pregnant women should avoid alcoholic beverages and foods containing artificial sweeteners, as they contain substances that can accumulate in the baby’s body and cause developmental delay.