MANY
women take at least
some medication while they are
pregnant, but it can be frightening
and confusing to decide what’s safe
to take, given the potential risks to a
developing fetus.
“
Obviously, pregnant women
should avoid alcohol, cigarettes and
illegal drugs during pregnancy,” said
Denise Carlton, director of Women’s
and Children’s Services at Simi
Valley Hospital.
With other
drugs, though,
doctors are
reluctant to
issue blanket
recommendations,
since they can sometimes provide
lifesaving bene ts.
Essential or not?
Many people need medication to
control life-threatening conditions,
and women should not stop taking
these drugs when they become
pregnant.
“
In many cases, medication use
is necessary, though the physician
may wish to substitute a drug with
fewer potential e ects to the baby,”
Carlton said.
For complaints that are not life-
threatening, however, doctors o en
advise pregnant women to rethink
their use of medications.
“
A woman who would have taken
an antihistamine for a runny nose
before she became pregnant may be
more willing to grab a box of tissues
and su er through a runny nose to
safeguard her baby,” Carlton said.
Women who are pregnant—or
think they might be—should avoid
vaccines made with live viruses, such
as rubella and varicella, and only
receive other vaccinations, including
for cholera, rabies or tetanus, if they
face a substantial risk of infection.
PREGNANCY
Medication use during pregnancy
On the other hand, women who
are in the second or third trimester
of pregnancy during u season
should get a u shot.
Treating side effects
Being told not to use drugs
can be especially di cult for a
mother-to-be who is confronting
morning sickness, back pain and
other uncomfortable side e ects of
pregnancy, said
Carlton, a mother
of four. Luckily,
a number of
alternative
therapies are safe
and e ective.
For example, chiropractic
manipulation can soothe the pain
of women experiencing backaches.
Acupuncture, acupressure, ginger
root and vitamin B-6 have all been
shown to safely relieve nausea in
early pregnancy.
Your health care provider can
suggest safe ways to cope with many
discomforts.
Vitamins and herbal
supplements
Pregnant women should
also consult their health care
practitioner before taking
herbal supplements or
vitamins, Carlton said.
“
Even though they’re
available over the counter,
most herbal supplements
and remedies have never
been tested for safety by
the FDA,” she said. “ is
makes them especially
risky for pregnant
women.”
Expectant moms and
women hoping to become
pregnant should take specially
formulated prenatal vitamins to
ensure they receive proper amounts
of folic acid, iron and calcium, along
with other vitamins and minerals
essential to their baby’s growth.
Ordinary vitamins can contain
harmful amounts of certain elements.
For more information on
medication use during pregnancy,
consult your doctor. If you
don’t have one, visit
www.
SimiValleyHospital.com
and choose
“
Find a Physician,” or call Referral
Services at
805-955-6900
.
Call
805-955-6900
for Referral Services.
Tell your doctor about all
medicines and supplements of
any kind that you are taking.
4
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your health