Medications and Pregnancy

The risks involved with medication use during pregnancy:

When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician/midwife before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.

Women who take medications for preexisting medical conditions, such as epilepsy or high blood pressure, should always check with their physician/midwife about those medications.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created pregnancy letter categories that help explain what is known about using medications during pregnancy. These letter categories tell whether the medicine was tested in pregnant animals or pregnant humans and the effects. For example, Category A medicines have been tested in pregnant women and their babies had no problems related to using the medicine. Category X medicines have been shown to be dangerous for unborn babies and should never be used by pregnant women. Unfortunately, there is little scientific information available about the effects of many medications on a pregnancy.

Always consult your physician/midwife before taking any medication during pregnancy.