Medication Safety During Pregnancy

During pregnancy the suppression of the normal immune system makes expectant moms easier targets for germs of every variety. But the medications that you might be used to reaching for to find relief are usually off limits when you’re expecting.What can you do? Here’s the lowdown on some of the more common cases you may come across during pregnancy:.

Q: “I’m sneezing, coughing, running a little fever and my head is killing me. Can I use some medicine to get relief?”
A: A Cold or the Flu are very common when you’re pregnant and sometimes you need medicine to make more comfortable. Acetaminophen like Tylenol is usually given the green light for it can be a welcome relief if you’re down and out with a stuffy nose or a high fever (over 100.4℉). Aspirin is not always recommended especially during the third trimester since it increases the risk for potential problems for the newborn, as well as complications before the during delivery such as excessive bleeding.

Q: “I got tonsillitis after I caught cold and my doctor prescribed me some antibiotics. Shall I take them?”
A: If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics for you, it means the bacterial infection you have is more dangerous than taking the antibiotics to fight it off. You’ll usually be put on antibiotics that fall into the penicillin or erythromycin families. Certain antibiotics are not recommended such as tetracyclines. Be sure your doctor knows that you’re pregnant.

Q: “I’ve got a stomach bug, I have a bad diarrhea and I can’t keep anything down. What should I do?”
A: First of all, dehydration is a problem for anyone suffering with a stomach bug. You must be adviced to take some rehydration fluid like Pedialyte. Antacids such as Talcid or Rolaids are considered safe to take during pregnancy. Antidiarrheal medicines like Kaopectate my be suggested only after your first trimester is safely behind you.

Q: “I was diagnosed with chronic depression and I’ve been on low-dose antidepressants ever since. Now I’m pregnant, should I stop taking them?”
A: Treating depression effectively allows a mother-to-be to nurture her body and her developing baby. Wellbutrin is often a good choice during pregnancy. Prozac,Paxil, Zoloft,and other SSRIs carry very little risk to the baby and can therefore also be good choices.

Keep in mind: Before you pick any medication,pick up the phone and call your doctor to ask which remedies best suits your needs and are considered safe in pregnancy.