DAY BY DAY

OC's best family calendar

October 2008 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

KID

QUIPS

During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE

SUBMIT YOUR QUIP

Before Baby Series

Before baby - 5th in a series Taking medication during pregnancy. By S. Danyelle KnightPublished: May, 2007

Print This Article Email This Article RSS Subscribe Digg This Article

Few women carry their babies to term without complaining of nausea or heartburn, back pain or fatigue, incontinence or water retention at some point along the way. However, aside from prenatal vitamins and the occasional Tylenol or Tums, doctors warn against pill popping during pregnancy. Ignoring their advice could significantly raise the risk of birth defects, miscarriage, preterm labor and other complications. As soon as you begin to “flirt” with the idea of becoming pregnant, it’s wise to talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking. Certain prescription medications, such as the acne drug Accutane, the psoriasis drugs Tegison and Soriatane and ACE inhibitors commonly used to treat high blood pressure, are especially harmful and can cause serious birth defects. Drinking and drug use poses obvious threats to you and your unborn child, so come clean with your doctor if you have a problem with substance abuse. Over-the-counter medications, considered safe for the general public, aren’t OK unless approved by your doctor or midwife. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best choice for soothing head and body aches. Aspirin and ibuprofen are no-nos. When it comes to another common pregnancy complaint, heartburn, moms-to-be can spell relief in a variety of ways: Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Tums or Rolaids – just avoid heartburn products that contain aspirin such as Alka-Seltzer. Think twice before you add vitamins in addition to prescribed prenatal vitamins or herbal supplements to your diet. Even a product as seemingly innocuous as herbal tea should be cleared through your healthcare provider first. In the case of an illness, doctors may prescribe a range of approved drugs. Antibiotics to avoid include Streptomycin (used to treat tuberculosis), Tetracycline (used to treat acne and respiratory infections) and Trimethoprim (a common prescription for urinary tract infections). If you receive your prescription from a primary care physician, contact the healthcare provider who is coordinating your prenatal care to make absolutely sure it’s safe for you and your baby. – By S. Danyelle Knight

SEARCH THE SITE