01. January 2024
Taking medication during pregnancy: a guide
You are always concerned about the well-being of the embryo, but pregnancy symptoms often occur during pregnancy. Some can be minimised through a healthy diet, others require the use of medication. However, caution is advised with antibiotics, paracetamol etc. for the benefit of the child, as some can harm the embryo.
Experts suspect that 15 to possibly 50 per cent of all pregnant women take medication in the first trimester of pregnancy because they don't even know they are pregnant. This is problematic because, given the sensitive period of organ development of the child in the first three months, this can have unpleasant effects on the unborn child.
The medication can reach the placenta via the mother's bloodstream. This forms a barrier for some drugs so that they are harmless to the child, but other drugs penetrate to the child. While this is positive for therapeutic use, it can also have negative consequences and lead to damage.
If a woman suffering from an illness wishes to have a child, the pregnancy may be jeopardised by the illness and the illness may worsen during the pregnancy. At best, if the doctor is informed about any existing illnesses before the pregnancy begins, he or she can adjust the medication at an early stage. The same applies to the dentist: he or she should also be aware of a pregnancy before taking action.
Read package leaflet
Read the package leaflet before taking any medication. There you will find useful information on taking the medication during pregnancy. If your doctor prescribes a medication, they will also discuss with you what you need to bear in mind during pregnancy.
Taking medication
The doctor should definitely be informed about your pregnancy. If possible, they will then only prescribe medication that will not jeopardise your pregnancy - without losing sight of the fact that you are actually taking the necessary medication.
No woman with chronic illnesses such as bronchial asthma, epilepsy or arterial hypertension should refrain from taking any type of medication for fear of malformations. Stopping the medication immediately can have serious consequences and further aggravate the illness - possibly affecting the child.
The use of some medications that are dangerous for pregnancy, such as vitamin acid derivatives, coumarin derivatives and cytostatics, must be discussed with the doctor beforehand.
Homeopathic medicines and other natural remedies are generally harmless. Nevertheless, there is still the possibility of negative consequences of a substance or preparation for pregnancy. It is therefore safest to always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any type of medication.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations should always be carried out by a doctor. They will advise their patients on the right time to be vaccinated and how they can protect themselves against infectious diseases.
Every woman who wants to have a child should be immune to varicella (chickenpox) and rubella. If she is not, a rubella or varicella infection during pregnancy can pose a serious risk to the unborn child. In this case, contact with infected persons should therefore be avoided at all costs in order to minimise the risk of infection. The vaccination can be repeated after the birth of the child.