Placenta is not acting as a “barrier” to dangerous agents; it can not protect the fetus from substances its mother is exposed to. Most drugs easily cross the placenta and reach the fetus. Any drug that the mother takes the baby takes also through blood circulation.
Some drugs can harm your baby during different stages of your pregnancy. At these times, your doctor might tell you to stop taking your regular medicine and put you on a different medicine that is safer for your baby.
Some drugs are known to induce malformations in newborn. They should be avoided in any time of the pregnancy: Vitamine A, anti-coagulants (warfarin, coumadin), lithium and some anti-convulsivants (carbamazepin, phenytoin).
Other medicines can be harmful to the baby depending on the dosage, the time of pregnancy they are taken at, or because there is only a limited knowledge on their consequences on pregnant women. This includes anti-inflammatories (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen), anti-depressants, anti-nausea medicines, many anti-hypertensive medicines (propranolol), many mental health medicines (diazepam, chlorpromazine, haloperidol…) and also many anti-allergic medicines.
Some other medicines have been used a lot during pregnancy and do not appear to cause major birth defects. This includes drugs such as some antibiotics, acetaminophen/paracetamol, aspartame (artificial sweetener), famotidine,prednisone (cortisone), insulin.
Women wanting to give birth or pregnant women with a preexisting condition such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure should seek medical advice on the appropriate way to continue their treatment as these conditions if untreated could be harmful for the baby.
Safe medicines to use during pregnancy
Pain/fever/cold/flu – paracetamol (acetaminophen) is thought to be safe for short-term use for pain and fever in pregnancy and breast feeding. Avoid anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diclofenac and aspirin, especially in the third trimester.
Allergies: dexchlorpheniramine is now considered to be safe.
Vaginal Thrush: clotrimazole do not seem to cause any problems in pregnancy, using an applicator may not be recommended, vaginal douches may also increase the risk of vaginal infections.
Infections: Many antibiotics (Amoxycillin, Ampicillin, Cephalosporins) have been widely and safely used in pregnancy without been associated to any malformations. Tetracyclines (vibramycin, doxycycline) are not recommended during pregnancy.
Herbal Remedies, Vitamins and Minerals: do not assume that these are safe just because they are natural. Natural product may contain chemical components close to those found in medicines (Vit A for example). A vitamin or mineral complement should be taken with physician/midwife advice.
In a general way, only very few drugs can be taken without a medical advice. Physicians and midwifes are the most appropriate person to provide a clear and appropriate information to their patients.
(source : hm magazine)
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