Is It Safe To Take Any Drugs During Pregnancy?
Many women today want to go back to basics and try to keep their unborn child from any contaminant at all, hoping that their baby will be in perfect health. This usually means avoiding medication of the over-the-counter or prescription type, and while not taking medicine is an admirable choice, expectant mothers may find themselves regretting their decision once one of those pregnancy-related headaches hits or heartburn discomfort is just too bothersome to be able to lie down. There’s no need to feel guilty for taking medication a few times during your pregnancy, as long as you’re informed on what’s safe and what’s not.
First of all, you should avoid all medications and even natural health products for the first ten weeks of your pregnancy. These early stages of your baby’s growth are the most important and your child is developing every second at an amazing rate. Medications can interfere with healthy growing and staying away from all possible complications for your baby is the best idea.
Should you truly feel that you need medication during this ten-week period and can’t avoid toughing out the symptoms of a severe illness or have not been able to find other methods of relief available, such as a dark room and quiet for helping with headache pain, then consulting your doctor and pharmacist is the best choice.
There are ways to try and ease headaches and heartburn without taking medication. For one of those killer headaches, lie down in a very dark room and close your eyes to try and relax. The more tension you have in your face, neck and body, the more pain you will feel. But pregnancy-related headaches tend to be stronger than normal ones, so if you do need help for relief, choose acetaminophen, such as Tylenol brand.
Heartburn can be eased by avoiding spicy foods and large meals, eating often and in small, snack-sized quantities, and propping yourself up with a pillow when you lie down so that your body is upraised and on an angle. If that doesn’t help, Maalox is one brand that can provide some help. For yeast infections and colds or coughs, consult your doctor or pharmacist for the best choices, as not all medications to ease symptoms are safe for pregnant women.
The rule of thumb with taking any medication or natural product during pregnancy is to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any risks. While you don’t have to suffer needlessly for many common complaints that expecting mothers mention, you do have to be extra responsible and take care to make the right choices that will keep your unborn baby healthy and developing properly.
Andi Michaels owns and writes regularly for http://pregnancy.health-and.info/ where you can find more information and advice on all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. Also go to http://health-and.info for health information on pregnancy and many other health topics.
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