Medication during pregnancy

introduction

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, medication should be taken cautiously and only after consulting a doctor.

Many drugs can get from the maternal bloodstream via the umbilical cord into the child's blood and possibly cause damage there.
For this reason, certain medications must not be used or only to a limited extent during pregnancy.

There is not yet enough data on many active ingredients and their use during pregnancy.
This also applies to herbal medicines and certain types of tea. In these cases it is important to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of taking it.
Homeopathic remedies are considered safe in most cases during pregnancy, but pregnant women should Get advice from a certified homeopath.

Women who at chronic diseases sufferers can usually not completely do without medication during pregnancy because this could harm both the expectant mother and the child. In this case, pregnant women should always consult your doctor and if you want to have children, get advice before you become pregnant.

Withdrawal from medication

Taking or stopping medication during pregnancy should never be done without consulting a doctor.
This is especially true when drugs e.g. Continued use due to a chronic illness during pregnancy.

If women suffer from a disease that requires medication before they become pregnant, they should not simply stop taking the medication they have been taking, but rather contact their doctor as soon as possible.
Such diseases include High blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy (more on the subject: Epilepsy and pregnancy), autoimmune diseases, thyroid diseases and chronic bowel diseases.

If pregnancy is planned, the woman should consult her doctor about medication and the course of pregnancy before the pregnancy.
Since an existing illness can be dangerous for mother and child when the medication is discontinued, the therapeutic options should be considered with the treating doctor and e.g. a change in medication or a lower dose of the medication may be specified.

Medication for headaches

Many women suffer during pregnancy a headache.
In addition to simple means like Relaxation, massages, fresh air, adequate and regular sleep and sufficient amounts of water to drink, can also be different if required Painkiller can be used.

Here, too, you should consult your doctor about which medication and in what dosage you can take.

The remedy of choice is Paracetamol. This drug can, but should, be used throughout pregnancy as short as possible and used in the appropriate dosage.

Are second choice agents Ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin).
While doing this, it is important to note that ibuprofen and aspirin only up to the 28th week of pregnancy may be taken because otherwise Circulatory damage in the fetus may occur.

If the pain persists due to the measures and medication mentioned above, stronger pain medication can also be used in individual cases. However, this should always be done after consulting a doctor.

Medication for a cold

If a cold occurs during pregnancy, the pregnant woman should refrain from using classic cold remedies, as these are often combination preparations and can contain several active ingredients that may have a harmful effect on the growing child.

In the case of typical symptoms such as runny nose, cough and sore throat, remedies such as seawater nasal sprays, inhalations, sufficient amounts of water to drink, hot drinks and lozenges should be tried first.
Decongestant nasal sprays (e.g. Oxymetazoline) should be used cautiously, e.g. only if the pregnant woman cannot sleep at night due to a blocked nose. They should then only be used at night and for a short time (a maximum of seven days at a time).

Read more on the subject below Runny nose during pregnancy

Fever should be lowered during pregnancy, especially if the temperature rises above 38 degrees and it lasts for more than 24 hours.
In addition to measures such as leg wraps or lukewarm baths, the fever can be reduced with medication with paracetamol and up to the 28th week of pregnancy with ibuprofen.

If you have a cold during pregnancy, ask your doctor which medication and nasal sprays you can take and, above all, how long and in what dosage.

Read more on the topic: Respiratory infection in pregnancy

Medicines for allergies and asthma

About every fifth pregnant woman is Allergies known. If you have a known allergy and you are pregnant, you should find out from your doctor which medication you need to take.
With the following drugs, it is not only important whether they can be taken during pregnancy, but also in what dose and in what stage of pregnancy.

In addition to avoiding certain allergens such as food, some substances are available for treating allergies during pregnancy. Allergic reactions during pregnancy can occur with Antihistamines how Loratadine, Cetirizine, Clemastine or Dimentinden (Fenistil®). Also Cromoglicic acide and Glucocorticoids (Budesonide, Prednisolone) can be used.

A Desensitization should not be restarted during pregnancy. However, it can be continued if it was well tolerated before the pregnancy. In this case, however, the dose should not be increased.

Women with bronchial asthma must continue to be treated with medication during pregnancy, otherwise there is a risk for mother and child.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the following drugs are used during pregnancy: For mild asthma or, if necessary and in an emergency, e.g. Salbutamol sprays (short-acting beta-2 sympathomimetics) can be used.
With stronger symptoms, depending on the severity, the symptoms are mild or moderate Corticosteroid sprays as long-term medication (e.g. Budesonide, Beclometasone).
If that is not enough, there will be a combination of one Corticosteroid spray and one long-acting beta-2 sympathomimetic (e.g. Formoterol, salmeterol) used. Additionally can Theophylline be taken in a specific and adapted dosage.

If this therapy is not sufficient, you can Glucocorticoids e.g. be given as a tablet. Then Prednisolone Means of choice.
Occurs Asthma attack during pregnancy, he should always be hospitalized.

Medication for nausea and gastrointestinal complaints

At Pregnancy sickness Measures such as avoiding carbonated drinks, several small meals a day, ginger, acupuncture, and taking acupressure can take measures Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) in certain doses (no more than 80 mg per day) can be helpful.

If the symptoms persist, nausea can also be temporarily caused by medication Antihistamines such as. Dimenhydrinate (Vomex®).
Vomex® should however because of the Risk of premature labor can only be used in the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy.

Second choice drug Metoclopramide, which can be taken especially in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
With persistent nausea and severe vomiting should the pregnant woman im hospital treated with infusions.

At Heartburn and bloating can be called during pregnancy Antacids (e.g. Magaldrat) can be taken. If this doesn't help, it can Ranitidine and if the complaints persist e.g. Omeprazole be prescribed during pregnancy.

At diarrhea the pregnant woman should drink sufficient amounts and get plenty of rest. If diarrhea is severe or persistent, pregnant women can take electrolyte solutions to drink. Ask a doctor for advice if you have persistent diarrhea.

At constipation can a high fiber food, drinking enough and lots of exercise be helpful.

If symptoms persist, swelling substances such as linseed or Indian psyllium husks be taken, with sufficient liquid should be drunk.

If these cannot be effective Lactulose given and if this also cannot work sufficiently Macrogol (Dulcolax®) can be used during pregnancy.

Since many medicines for constipation should be avoided during pregnancy, a doctor should always be consulted in this case.

Gestational diabetes

About 10% of all pregnant women have one Gestational diabetes, also Gestational diabetes called.

Gestational diabetes should be treated in any case, as otherwise complications during pregnancy, childbirth and long-term health problems for the child can occur.

If diabetes is diagnosed before or during pregnancy, this counts as High risk pregnancy and needs more intensive care.

Next Exercise and Weight Loss can have gestational diabetes insulin (Human insulin). A woman who had diabetes before pregnancy that was treated with tablets should, after consulting a doctor, discontinue them during pregnancy and continue therapy with insulin.

Summary

Medicines should only be taken during pregnancy after consulting a doctor.

This also applies to herbal medicines and various types of tea. Homoeopathic drugs are safe in most cases, but pregnant women should seek advice in these cases as well.

Women with chronic illnesses that must be controlled with medication during pregnancy should discuss possible therapy options such as changing the medication, lowering the dose or stopping the medication with their doctor.