- What to do if you took medicine without knowing you were pregnant
- Remedies that can harm the baby
- How to reduce the risk of the baby having complications?
Taking medicine during pregnancy can, in most cases, harm the baby because some components of the medicine can cross the placenta, causing miscarriage or malformations, can induce uterine contractions ahead of time or even cause undesirable changes in the pregnant woman and the baby.
The most dangerous drugs are those that have the risk D or X, but the pregnant woman should never take any medication, even if it is in category A, without consulting the doctor in advance.
What to do if you took medicine without knowing you were pregnant
If the pregnant woman took any medication during the period when she did not know she was pregnant, she must immediately inform the obstetrician about the name and quantity of the medication used, to check the need for more specific tests, to assess the health of the baby and herself mother.
Although complications can arise at any time during pregnancy, the chances of impairing the baby's development are greater during the first 3 months of pregnancy and therefore taking medication during pregnancy is more dangerous at this stage.
Remedies that can harm the baby
The FDA has defined several categories of drugs based on their risk of teratogenicity, which is the ability to produce congenital malformations in the baby:
| Category A | Controlled studies in pregnant women have shown no risk to the fetus in the first trimester, with no evidence of risk in the following quarters. The possibility of fetal harm is remote. |
| Category B | Animal studies have shown no risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women, or animal studies have shown adverse effects, but controlled studies in pregnant women have not shown this risk. |
| Category C | Animal studies do not indicate risk to the fetus and there are no controlled studies in pregnant women, or there are no studies in animals or humans. The drug should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. |
| Category D | There is evidence of human fetal risk, but there are situations where benefits may outweigh risks. |
| Category X | There is a definite evidence-based risk and is therefore contraindicated in pregnant or fertile women. |
| NR | Not classified |
Few drugs are included in category A and are safe in pregnancy or have studies that prove it, so when deciding on treatment, the doctor should postpone its use, when possible, until after the first trimester, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and avoid prescribing new drugs, unless your safety profile is well known.
Remedies that can be used during pregnancy
There are some remedies that can be used during pregnancy, which are those described in the label with risk A, but always under the indication of the obstetrician.
How to reduce the risk of the baby having complications?
After confirming the pregnancy, to reduce the risk of the baby developing complications, one should only take the drugs prescribed by the obstetrician and always read the package insert before using the medicine to check if there is a risk and what are the side effects that may occur. We are a family owned and operated business.
It is also important to be aware of some natural remedies and teas that are not indicated, such as bulb tea, mackerel or horse chestnut, for example. See the full list of teas that the pregnant woman should not take.
In addition, the pregnant woman should avoid alcoholic beverages and foods that contain artificial sweeteners because they have substances that can accumulate in the baby's body and can lead to a delay in development.
