Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time in which the expectant mothers have to adapt in many ways. Also taking Medication in Pregnancy should be reconsidered. In the past, taking pain pills was normal for headaches, but now future mothers should study the package insert very carefully before taking them. But not only pain pills can endanger the child's well-being. Even apparently harmless cough syrups pose a risk to the unborn child.
Medication during pregnancy: the less, the better!
When offspring is announced, many habits are put to the test again: including taking Medication in Pregnancy. Medication should be avoided if possible, especially in early pregnancy when the child’s organs are being created. The ingestion of harmful substances can have serious consequences for the unborn child. In the worst case scenario, ill-considered medication can result in a mental handicap or malformation of organs and body structures.
However, this risk is not only present in the first weeks and months of pregnancy. Although the risk of disabilities and malformations is no longer as high as in the first trimester of pregnancy, various drugs can still affect the baby's health and also trigger labor. In general, it is therefore advisable to avoid as many drugs as possible.
The less medication that is taken, the lower the risk for the child. This rule is not so easy to comply with, especially for chronically ill pregnant women. For example, women with asthma or epilepsy cannot simply go without their medication. It would probably be even more dangerous to do without. In the case of pregnant women with chronic illnesses, a detailed consultation should take place, if possible, before pregnancy.
Nasal spray in pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts nine months, so the chances of catching a cold during this time are quite high. If the nose is blocked, it makes sense to resort to a nasal spray. But caution is advised here. The decongestant effect of many nasal sprays is based on a narrowing of the blood vessels.
This vasoconstriction is not limited to the blood vessels in the nose, but affects all vessels in the body. This also includes the blood vessels of the placenta, which is responsible for supplying the baby. An overdose of nasal spray could therefore impair the blood supply to the unborn child. The use of nasal sprays during pregnancy should therefore be avoided if possible or at least limited in time. However, nasal sprays should generally only be used during pregnancy after consulting a doctor.
Antibiotics in Pregnancy
Bacterial infections that occur during pregnancy can endanger the well-being of the child and mother. They must therefore also be treated consistently during pregnancy. Antibiotics are available for this, which can also be used during pregnancy.
The agents of choice are in particular ß-lactam antibiotics. Cephalosporins and penicillins can also usually be used. Nevertheless, a detailed risk-benefit analysis should be carried out before antibiotic therapy during pregnancy.
Be careful with pain medication
During pregnancy, women should only take painkillers in absolute emergencies and always in consultation with their doctor. Over-the-counter pain relievers also contain active ingredients that can seriously damage the unborn child. Acetylsalicylic acid, a well-known active ingredient in over-the-counter medicines, can inhibit blood clotting and cause bleeding.
Malformations in the unborn child are also possible. In the last trimester of pregnancy, the active ingredient can also inhibit labor. NSAIDs, the so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, increase the risk of heart malformations in the child in the last trimester of pregnancy. Paracetamol can be used with caution during pregnancy.
However, a daily dose of 2000 to 3000 milligrams per day should not be exceeded. It must never be taken without the permission of the doctor. Particular care should be taken with prescription pain relievers. Opioids can cause addiction in the child, so the newborn would experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Influenza vaccination during pregnancy
Flu infection during pregnancy can endanger mother and child. The STIKO of the Robert Koch Institute therefore recommends a flu vaccination for pregnant women who are at an advanced stage of their pregnancy during the flu season. Women with chronic illnesses such as asthma are recommended to get the flu vaccination as early as the first trimester of pregnancy.
The safety of the flu vaccine is well documented. There is currently no evidence that the vaccine has a negative effect on the course of the pregnancy or on the health of the child. Immunization during pregnancy is also intended to protect the newborn after birth. The mother develops antibodies through the vaccination, which she passes on to the unborn child via the placenta.
This gives the newborn a kind of nest protection in the first few months after birth. Only one injection is required for the annual flu vaccination. The vaccination usually occurs after one to two weeks and lasts for six to twelve months.
Medication during pregnancy: never without consulting a doctor!
In summary, pregnant women should be extremely reluctant to take drugs. However, if the women are severely affected by the symptoms or if the child's well-being is endangered, taking medication often cannot be prevented.
Before each intake, however, women should be aware that they are also treating the unborn child. In order to avoid undesirable effects, medication should never be taken during pregnancy without consulting a doctor.
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