Medicine and Pregnancy
You still can use many medicines when you are pregnant or nursing.
Use this guide and talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about
keeping you and your baby safe.
Know the Facts
• If you're not pregnant yet, you can help your chances for having
a healthy baby by planning ahead. You can make choices about
which medicines to use before you get pregnant. Always talk to
your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist first! It's very important that
you keep getting treatment for any health problems.
• Your heart and kidneys work harder when you are pregnant. This
makes some medicines pass through your body faster than usual.
• Your doctor might need to give you a higher dose of your
medicines or make you take them more often.
• 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 until it is safe to go back on it. Your
doctor may put you on a different medicine that is safer for your
baby.
Read the Label and Ask Questions
• The law says that all drug labels must list the risks for women
who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can help you choose the
medicines that are right for you.
DON'T TAKE:
Aspirin
• Don't take aspirin during the last 3 months of your pregnancy, unless
your doctor tells you to. Aspirin can cause problems for your baby, or
cause problems when you are in labor.
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Like aspirin, it may cause problems during the last 3 months of
pregnancy and when you are in labor.
Products like herbs, minerals, amino acids
• No one is sure if these are safe for pregnant women, so it's best
not to use them. Even some "natural" products may not be good for
women who are pregnant or nursing.
Vitamins
• Women who are pregnant should not take regular vitamins.
They can contain doses that are too high.
• Ask about special vitamins for pregnant women that can help
keep you and your baby healthy.
