Pregnancy is a very beautiful time in every mother's life, but it is also a time when you need to be very careful. So, if you get a cold, aches and pains, or frequent nausea during this time, you may be wondering, "Oh, if I take some medicine for this, will it harm the baby?" This is a big question and fear for many mothers. So don't be afraid. Let's learn more about this today.
Why is it important to ask the doctor before taking medication?
Simply put, everything you take during pregnancy, whether it's food, drink, or medication, can be passed on to your baby through the umbilical cord. While some medications may not harm your baby's development, others may have adverse effects on your baby.
That's why it's so important to talk about this the first day you see your doctor to confirm that you're pregnant. Your doctor will explain to you which medications you can usually take and which ones you should definitely stop taking. If your doctor always prescribes a medication, the decision will be made after weighing the benefits to you and the risks to your baby.
Most importantly, if you are taking medication for other conditions, you should tell your doctor about those medications, as well as any vitamins, herbal supplements , or even Ayurvedic medicines you are taking. Some things may be labeled as "natural," but they may not be safe during pregnancy.
Medications that are generally considered safe during pregnancy
It is very important and safe to take prenatal vitamins as prescribed by your doctor during pregnancy. However, it is important to consult a doctor before taking any other vitamins or herbal products. Many herbal products have not been proven safe during pregnancy.
As a general rule, it is best to avoid using over-the-counter (OTC) medications during pregnancy, even if they are absolutely necessary.
However, the medications and home remedies listed below are not known to cause any harmful effects during pregnancy if you follow the instructions on the package. However, if you want more information about a medication that is not on this list or about its safety, talk to your doctor .
| Illness | Commonly used medications (on medical advice) |
|---|---|
| Allergy |
( NB: Ask your doctor before taking these during the first trimester of pregnancy.) |
| Cold and Flu |
|
| Constipation | |
| First Aid Ointment | |
| Skin rashes |
The most important thing is that no medication can be considered 100% safe during pregnancy, so it is always important to seek medical advice.
What about alternative treatments?
In addition to medications, there are several alternative treatments that can help relieve some of the discomforts of pregnancy. But remember, just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's "safe" during pregnancy. So, before trying anything, it's important to talk to your doctor about it.
Some alternative treatments that may help during pregnancy
- For nausea in the early months: Acupuncture, acupressure, dried ginger (250 mg capsules four times a day), and vitamin B6 (25 mg two or three times a day) work well.
- Backache: Chiropractic manipulation has been shown to be the best treatment for this. Massage is also a good option. However, make sure to only do it under the supervision of a massage therapist who is specially trained for pregnant women .
- Turning a breech baby: Some exercises and hypnosis can help with this.
- Pain relief in labor: An epidural is the most effective method of anesthesia. However, soaking in a warm tub can also help reduce stress. Relaxation and breathing techniques and acupuncture also help some women.
Things to definitely avoid during pregnancy
The following substances can be harmful to the baby if taken in concentrated formulations . This does not mean adding a little bit of these to food as a sweetener, but rather using the extract. Some of them are thought to cause birth defects and lead to premature birth.
- Herbal Supplements to Avoid (Oral Supplements): Arbor vitae, beth root, black cohosh, blue cohosh, cascara, chaste tree berry, Chinese angelica (dong quai), cinchona, cotton root bark, feverfew, ginseng, goldenseal, juniper, kava kava, licorice, meadow saffron, pennyroyal, poke root, rue, sage, St. John's wort, senna, slippery root, tansy, white peony, wormwood, yarrow, yellow dock, and vitamin A (very high doses can cause birth defects).
- Aromatherapy essential oils to avoid: Calamus, mugwort, pennyroyal, sage, wintergreen, basil, hyssop, myrrh, marjoram, and thyme.
If you have any doubts about any medicine, supplement, or treatment, ask your doctor before using it. It's the safest thing for both you and your baby.
Take-Home Message
- Always talk to your doctor before taking any medication, vitamin, herbal product, or Ayurvedic medicine during pregnancy.
- Just because something is labeled "natural" doesn't mean it's safe during pregnancy.
- If you visit any other doctor during your pregnancy, let them know that you are pregnant .
- Even medications that are considered "safe" should only be used when absolutely necessary, in the lowest possible dose, and for the shortest possible time.
- If you are in doubt about something, it is wiser not to take it. Ask your doctor first.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න