Medicines And Pregnancy
Knowing which medicines are safe and unsafe to take during pregnancy can be worrisome. Ideally you might prefer not to take any medicines whilst pregnant. However, reality can be very different. Anything that enters the bloodstream can cross over the placenta into your baby’s system. Below are some suggestions about what is safe and what is better avoided. However, your GP has a proper and thorough knowledge of your medical history and should be the first and most reliable contact if you are having any doubts
I Have A Chronic Illness. What Should I Do?
If you have a medical condition that needs to be controlled do not stop taking your medication unless indicated to do so by your GP
- Diabetes can be difficult to control in pregnancy. Insulin requirements may not be constant especially if your diet is affected by nausea. Insulin is a natural hormone and therefore safe to take. Diabetes can start in pregnancy and will require specialist monitoring but will stop after birth
- Epilepsy drugs may need to change. Refer to your GP for professional advice
- Asthma studies measuring peak flow indicate that moderate asthma usually improves with pregnancy. Some pregnant women feel it gets worse but this is because the growing uterus presses on the lungs. If your asthma is severe, you may find that it does worsen. Continue to use your inhaler, it won’t have any ill affects on your unborn baby but it may affect you if you don’t use it. Visit you GP for individual professional advice
- Pregnant women with thryroid conditions should consult their GP of specialist for medication advice
- Cardiovascular problems can be complicated and varied. You may need to change medication and your condition may change. Discuss your situation with your GP
- Arthritis can improve in pregnancy because the hormones soften ligaments. However, some drugs for arthritis are contra-indicated in pregnancy. See your GP for tailored and detailed advice.
- Eczema may improve or may worsen although it is unlikely that you will have to stop using your creams. Homeopathy might be a helpful alternative
I Have A Condition Brought On Through Being Pregnant. What Should I Do?
For serious conditions including pre-elampsia, high blood pressure or excessive vomiting you GP will weigh up the seriousness of your condition against the possible side effects of any drug they may wish to prescribe.
There are many complementary therapies that can be used safely. As remedies can still differ from person to person, consulting a professional homepath is recommended.
- Morning Sickness. Unless this is severe your GP is unlikely to recommend a drug. Ginger or camomile tea can help. Acupuncture, acupressure and aromatherapy and vitamin and mineral supplements can be helpful but avoid iron.
- Indigestion. Some antacids are generally safe and may be recommended by your GP. Some containing aspirin and are better avoided
- Haemorrhoids & Constipation. Most creams are safe as are most bulking agents. Prune and fruit juice and fibre are natural alternative.
- Stretchmarks can be reduced by using lavender or frankincense oil.
- Paracetamol is safe as a general pain reliever but not aspirin or codeine
Can I Use Alternative Medicine?
Many alternative forms of medicine are suitable for pregnant women. As with any medicine however, it is always best to check what you are taking with a qualified practitioner. Just because a remedy is “natural” does not automatically mean that it is safe and for a remedy to be powerful it must have an “effect.”
- Homeopathy
A qualified homeopath will look at the whole individual and treat accordingly. For this reason it’s better to visit a specialist than treat yourself.
- Aromatherapy
Can be very effective and is usually safe. A few drops of oil can be placed in a burner or five or six drops in a bath. Avoid anise, aniseed, jasmine, juniper. Camomile, oregano, rosemary, sage, yarrow, thuja, wormwood, rue, cinnamon, clove, thyme, basil, parsley, aloe vera, feverfew, juniper, pulsatilla, pokeroot and fennel. Essential oils are very concentrated and the effects can be strong whilst bath products containing these products are safe because the amounts used are negligible.
- Acupuncture and Acupressure and both safe and ideally suited to pregnancy
- Herbal medicine is also suited to pregnancy. It’s safer to consult a practitioner. These remedies may be drunk as a tea, or taken in tablet form The herbs listed above (under aromatherapy) should be avoided. Many of these cause uterine contractions which mean they are fine to take once in labour.
- Other therapies. As long as you make it clear to a qualified practitioner that you are pregnant there is no reason why other therapies can’t be beneficial.
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