Becoming a mother is a very special and responsible time in your life, isn't it? We know that you must be trying very hard to keep yourself and your little one healthy and well during this time. So, during this precious time, you need to think twice, not twice, but several times about the food you eat and the medicines you take. Because, some medicines may not be beneficial for your baby, that is, they may have adverse effects.
Why are some of these medications not good for pregnancy?
Simply put, many medications you take can enter your bloodstream and cross the placenta to your baby. This can be especially true during the first trimester, when your baby's organs are developing. However, some medications can affect your baby's development or health later in life at any time during pregnancy. Sometimes, the type of medication, the dose, and the stage of pregnancy when it is taken can affect the baby's health.
Imagine what could happen if a harmful chemical were to enter a baby's delicate organs, such as the brain, heart, and limbs, while they are still developing. Not only that, but some medications can stunt the baby's growth, cause premature birth, or even cause the baby to have certain problems after birth. That's why we are so concerned about this.
Be careful with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that you can buy from the pharmacy without a prescription!
We often think that medicines that can be purchased from the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, that is, `OTC (Over-The-Counter)` medicines, are not so bad, and that anyone can take them, right? For example, the pills and syrups we take for common headaches, colds, and body aches.
However, some of these are not suitable for you as a mother. Because some of the ingredients, that is, the active ingredients, in these can be harmful to your baby. Therefore, it is better not to take anything without asking your doctor, thinking, "This is a normal medicine, everyone can take it," right?
Imagine this: you have a cold, and you go to the pharmacy to get it, asking for a medicine that you are very familiar with. But some of the ingredients in that medicine (e.g., some painkillers, decongestants) may not be good for you if you are pregnant. It's like giving an adult medicine to a child in the same adult dosage, and the effects can be severe. Therefore, even if it's a small thing, it's wise to ask a doctor to confirm.
Even if it's prescription medicine, what if you find out you're pregnant?
Now, you may be taking medication for a medical condition, such as diabetes , hypertension, asthma , thyroid problems, or epilepsy , even before you became pregnant. It is not a good idea to stop taking these medications immediately after you find out you are pregnant. This can cause your condition to get out of control, which can be harmful to both you and your baby.
Therefore, the best thing you can do is to inform your regular doctor/consultant as soon as you find out you are pregnant, or if you are planning to become pregnant. The doctor will then decide:
- Is it okay to continue taking the medication you are currently taking?
- Do I need to change the dosage of the medicine?
- Or, should I switch to another safer medication that won't harm the baby and is more suitable for pregnancy?
- Maybe the condition can be controlled without medication?
Remember, a doctor prescribes a medication because the benefits of taking it far outweigh the risks to you and your baby from not taking it. This decision is even more complicated during pregnancy, which is why it's important to always follow your doctor's advice.
Is everything that says 'natural' good for pregnancy? (Herbal Remedies and Supplements)
A big belief among many of us is that things sold under the labels 'Ayurvedic medicine', 'traditional herb', or 'Herbal', various nutritional supplements ( `Supplements` ), and vitamins ( `Vitamins` ) are "natural" and therefore have no side effects and are very good for the baby. But is that really the case?
Think about it, some plants are also poisonous to humans, right? And so are these 'Herbal' products. Most of the time, these are not properly tested and regulated by recognized international or local drug regulatory authorities like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America . That means, it is often difficult to give a guarantee about what they actually contain, what their quality is, and their safety. Sometimes, they may contain chemicals, heavy metals, etc. that are harmful to the baby. Or, they may react with other medications that your doctor has prescribed and cause adverse effects.
To give a simple example, folic acid is essential during early pregnancy. However, some vitamins, such as vitamin A, can be harmful to the baby if taken in excess. Therefore, do not use anything without consulting your doctor, thinking, 'This is natural' or 'This is what the aunt next door took.' Your doctor is the one who knows what you and your baby really need, what is safe, and how much you need.
So, what should we do to prevent the baby from being at risk?
Okay, so with all this, how do we ensure that the baby is not at risk? There's nothing to worry about, if you follow these steps carefully, you can reduce this risk to a great extent:
Talk Openly With Your Doctor
This is the most important and first step on this journey.
- Tell your doctor about the medications you are already taking: Tell your doctor clearly about all the medications you are taking before you became pregnant (whether they are prescription or over-the-counter (OTC)). Also, tell him about the types of cosmetics, vitamins, and supplements you are using. Your doctor will then tell you which ones you can continue taking, which ones you should stop taking, and which ones you should change.
- Ask your doubts: If you have any questions or doubts about these so-called 'natural' medicines, supplements, or vitamins, be sure to ask your doctor about them. Don't be shy or afraid. This is about your safety and health, as well as that of your baby.
Inform All Healthcare Providers that you are pregnant.
Whether you're seeing a dentist for a tooth extraction or a dermatologist for a skin condition, tell them you're pregnant first. Then they'll think twice before prescribing you medication or recommending a procedure or X-ray.
Imagine you have a minor accident and go to a different doctor. If he doesn't know you're pregnant, some of the painkillers he gives you might not be good for the baby.
What to do for common illnesses? (Managing Common Illnesses)
We can get colds, fever, body aches, headaches, and constipation during pregnancy, right? Although these are common ailments, we still need to be careful when taking medication for them during pregnancy. Before panicking and rushing to the pharmacy to buy medication, talk to your doctor.
- Ask about safe medications: Sometimes your doctor will recommend a safe medication that you can use, with less risk to your baby. For example, there are times when you can take something like `Paracetamol` in the prescribed dosage for a short period of time. However, this should also be done under the doctor's advice. Other painkillers (e.g. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin) are not suitable during certain periods of pregnancy.
- Non-Medical Treatments: In many cases, there are simple, natural ways to manage these conditions without medication. For example:
- For colds and flu: Drink plenty of water and fluids (soup, porridge, fruit juice), get plenty of rest, inhale steam with hot water, and gargle with salt water.
- For headaches: Rest in a quiet, dark place, apply a damp cloth to your forehead and the back of your neck, and gently massage your head.
- For back pain: Maintaining proper posture, using a pillow to support your back when sitting, light exercise (as advised by your doctor), and sleeping with a pillow between your legs can help.
- For constipation: Eat more fibrous foods (fruits, vegetables, greens, bran rice), drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day, and do light exercise.
Pregnancy is a time of many changes and concerns. However, with the right knowledge and medical advice, you can definitely have a beautiful, happy, and healthy pregnancy.
So, what is the most important message we should take home from this story?
Okay, from everything we've talked about, these are the most important things to keep in mind:
- Do not take any medication (whether it's an 'OTC' medication purchased from a pharmacy, an 'herbal' medication, or one used by someone else) during pregnancy without consulting a doctor.
- If you have been taking medication for a medical condition since before you became pregnant, tell your doctor immediately when you find out you are pregnant or if you are planning to become pregnant. Do not stop taking your medication suddenly.
- Tell all doctors, dentists, and other healthcare workers who treat you that you are pregnant.
- Not everything that is 'natural' is always safe. Even `Supplements` and `Vitamins` should be taken only with the approval and recommendation of a doctor, and in the prescribed dosage.
- If you have any doubts or questions about your medication, your health, or your baby's health, don't be shy or afraid to talk to your doctor. He or she is there to help you and your baby.
The safety and health of you and your unborn child are more important than anything else in this world. Therefore, when making decisions about medication, do not be rash, always be informed, responsible, and follow your doctor's advice. We wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy!
` Pregnancy, Medicine, Medicines, Pregnant, Child Health, Safety, Medical Advice, Medicines in Pregnancy
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