MEDICATIONS IN PREGNANCY
While some medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy, the effects of other medications on your
unborn baby are unknown. Therefore, it is very important to pay special attention to medications you take while you
are pregnant. This is especially important during the first trimester, as it is crucial time of development for your baby.
If you were taking prescription medications before you became pregnant, please ask your health care provider
(who prescribed it to you) as soon as you find out you are pregnant, about the safety of continuing these medications.
With some medications, the risk of not taking them may be more serious than the potential risk associated with taking
them. If you are prescribed any new medication, please inform the prescriber that you are pregnant.
What Medications Are Safe to Take During Pregnancy?
Prenatal vitamins are safe to take during pregnancy. Ask your health care provider or midwife about the safety of
taking other vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements during pregnancy. Most herbal preparations and supplements
have not been proven to be safe during pregnancy.
Can I Take Alternative Therapies During Pregnancy?
Many people believe “natural” products can be safely used to relieve nausea, backache, and other annoying symptoms
of pregnancy. However, many of these products have not been tested for their safety and effectiveness in pregnancy.
Therefore, it is very important to check with your health care provider or midwife before taking any alternative therapies.
If you have any questions regarding a certain medication during pregnancy, please contact Mother to Baby, or talk to
your local pharmacist. Mother to Baby is a resource that allows you to ask questions about the safety of medications
during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
www.mothertobaby.org
If you have a specific pregnancy concern which may need medication, you can also refer to our Top 20 Discomforts of Pregnancy page.
While some medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy, the effects of other medications on your
unborn baby are unknown. Therefore, it is very important to pay special attention to medications you take while you
are pregnant. This is especially important during the first trimester, as it is crucial time of development for your baby.
If you were taking prescription medications before you became pregnant, please ask your health care provider
(who prescribed it to you) as soon as you find out you are pregnant, about the safety of continuing these medications.
With some medications, the risk of not taking them may be more serious than the potential risk associated with taking
them. If you are prescribed any new medication, please inform the prescriber that you are pregnant.
What Medications Are Safe to Take During Pregnancy?
Prenatal vitamins are safe to take during pregnancy. Ask your health care provider or midwife about the safety of
taking other vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements during pregnancy. Most herbal preparations and supplements
have not been proven to be safe during pregnancy.
Can I Take Alternative Therapies During Pregnancy?
Many people believe “natural” products can be safely used to relieve nausea, backache, and other annoying symptoms
of pregnancy. However, many of these products have not been tested for their safety and effectiveness in pregnancy.
Therefore, it is very important to check with your health care provider or midwife before taking any alternative therapies.
If you have any questions regarding a certain medication during pregnancy, please contact Mother to Baby, or talk to
your local pharmacist. Mother to Baby is a resource that allows you to ask questions about the safety of medications
during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
www.mothertobaby.org
If you have a specific pregnancy concern which may need medication, you can also refer to our Top 20 Discomforts of Pregnancy page.
