Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time, in which the expectant mothers have to change in many ways. Even the use of medication during pregnancy should be reconsidered. Whereas in the past it was normal to reach for a painkiller when a headache arose, nowadays mothers-to-be should study the package insert very carefully before taking it. But it is not only painkillers that can endanger the child’s well-being. Even seemingly harmless cough syrups pose a risk to the unborn child.
Medication during pregnancy: the less, the better!
When offspring is announced, many habits are again put to the test: so also the intake of medicines during pregnancy. Especially in early pregnancy, when the child’s organs are being laid out, medications should be avoided as much as possible. Taking harmful substances can have serious consequences for the unborn child. In the worst case, the ill-considered use of medication can result in mental retardation or malformation of organs and body structures. However, this risk does not only exist in the first weeks and months of pregnancy. Although the risk of disabilities and malformations is no longer as high as in the first third of pregnancy, various medications can still affect the health of the baby and also trigger labor pains. In general, therefore, it is advisable to avoid as many medications as possible. The fewer medications taken, the lower the risk to the baby. For chronically ill pregnant women in particular, this rule is not so easy to follow. For example, women with asthma or epilepsy cannot simply do without their medication. Here, the renunciation would probably be even more dangerous. In the case of pregnant women with chronic diseases, a detailed consultation should therefore take place, if possible, even before pregnancy.
Nasal spray in pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts nine months, so the probability of getting a cold during this period is quite high. When the nose is blocked, it is obvious to resort to a nasal spray. But caution is advised here. The decongestant effect of many nasal sprays is based on a constriction of the vessels. However, this vasoconstriction is not limited to the blood vessels in the nose, but affects all vessels in the body. This includes the blood vessels of the placenta, which is responsible for supplying the baby. An overdose of nasal spray could thus affect the blood supply to the unborn baby. The use of nasal sprays during pregnancy should therefore be avoided if possible, or at least severely limited in time. However, nasal sprays should generally only be used during pregnancy after consultation with a doctor.
Antibiotics during pregnancy
Bacterial infections that occur during pregnancy can endanger the well-being of the child and the mother. Therefore, they must be treated consistently during pregnancy. Antibiotics are available for this purpose that can also be used during pregnancy. The drugs of choice are ß-lactam antibiotics in particular. Cephalosporins and penicillins can also usually be used. Nevertheless, a detailed risk-benefit analysis should be performed before antibiotic therapy in pregnancy.
Caution with pain medications
Women should take pain medications during pregnancy only in absolute emergencies and always in consultation with a physician. Over-the-counter painkillers also contain active ingredients that can severely harm the unborn child. Acetylsalicylic acid, a well-known active ingredient in over-the-counter medicines, can inhibit blood clotting and thus cause bleeding. Malformations of 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 should never be taken without the doctor’s permission. Special care should be taken with prescription pain medications. Opioids can cause dependence in the child, so that the newborn would suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms.
Flu vaccination during pregnancy
During pregnancy, an influenza infection can endanger mother and child. Therefore, the STIKO of the Robert Koch Institute recommends that pregnant women who are in an advanced stage of their pregnancy during the flu season receive a flu vaccination. Women with chronic conditions such as asthma are recommended to receive flu vaccination as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. The safety of the flu vaccine is well established. There is currently no evidence that vaccination has a negative effect on the course of pregnancy or on the health of the child. Immunization during pregnancy is also thought 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 needed for the annual flu vaccination. Vaccine protection usually occurs after one to two weeks and lasts six to 12 months.
Medications during pregnancy: never without consulting your doctor!
In summary, pregnant women should be extremely cautious about taking medications. However, if the women are severely affected by the symptoms or if even the child’s well-being is at risk, it is often not possible to prevent taking medication. Before taking any medication, however, women should be aware that they are also treating the unborn child. To avoid adverse effects, medication should never be taken during pregnancy without consulting a physician.
