MEDICATION USE IN PREGNANCY

  

The following medications have been taken during pregnancy and have not been shown to cause birth defects. Even so, we recommend not using any medication unless necessary. If you take a medication routinely for a medical problem and are unsure about the medication, please contact our office prior to discontinuing that medication. Take all medications according to the manufacturers directions listed on the bottle unless otherwise directed by your physician.

 

	Antacids (Mylanta, Maalox, Pepcid AC, TUMS, Zantac)
	Antibiotics (Keflex, Macrodantin, Macrobid, Amoxicillin, Penicillin)
	Antihistamines (Allegra, Benedryl, Claritin, Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, Tavist, Zyrtec)
	Antinausea medications (Phenergan, Zofran, Scopolamine patch)
	Blood pressure medications (Nifedipine, Aldomet, Propanolol)
	Cough drops/lozenges/syrups (Cepacol, Herbal cough drops, Robitussen, Vicks)
	Decongestants (Actifed, Sudafed, Entex)
	Kaopectate
	Laxatives (Ducolax)
	Pain medications (Codeine, Vicodin)
	Nasal sprays (Afrin, Beclovent, Flonase, Nasonex, Neosynephrine, Saline, Ventolin)
	PeptoBismol
	Stool softeners (Colace, Citracell, Fibercon, Metamucil)
	Thyroid medicine (Synthroid, Thyroxine)
	Tocolytics to stop labor (Terbutaline)
	Tylenol (Extra-strength, Regular)
	Yeast medications (Monistat, Gyne-Lotrimin, Femstat, Terazol)

Medication you should NEVER take during pregnancy includes: Acutane, Lithium, Tetracycline, Vibramycin, Valproic Acid

Though a small amount of alcohol may not cause harm, there is no known safe quantity. Therefore, we advise against any alcohol ingestion during pregnancy.

Smoking and using recreational drugs are dangerous to the pregnancy. They can cause growth retardation of the fetus, premature maturation of the placenta, which can cause fetal distress during labor, and abnormal separation of the placenta, which can cause fetal death or maternal hemorrhaging during labor.

Other medications may be safe or have minimal risk but should be discussed with your physician prior to taking the medication. Most fall into the "unknown category". This means that there is no documentation of its safety during pregnancy.

There is no contraindication to using Nutrasweet during pregnancy. Caffeine should be limited to less than 300 mg/day.

 

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HOT TUBS AND SAUNAS
Studies have shown that there is an increased incidence of miscarriage if a sauna is used during the first three months of pregnancy. We recommend against using the sauna during the entire pregnancy and not using a hot tub during the first three months of pregnancy. After the first three months of pregnancy, limit the hot tub to 100 degrees temperature. The danger to the fetus appears to be from raising the mother's core body temperature. Warm baths and showers are safe throughout pregnancy.

DIET
Avoid raw meat, unpasteurized milk or cheese, raw eggs, alcohol, tobacco. We recommend increasing your calcium intake to 1500 mg/day. We recommend 1 mg/day of Folate. This is provided in the prenatal vitamins. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water/day and eating fruits and vegetables is recommended. A normal weight increase during pregnancy is 20 - 30 lbs. if you are at a normal body weight at the beginning of your pregnancy. This allows an additional 200-300 calories/day.

EXERCISE
We encourage you to continue your normal exercise routine. It is recommended that you maintain your pulse (heart beats/minute) at less than 140 beats per minute while exercising. Be careful to not injure yourself during the later part of pregnancy when your balance changes and your ligaments loosen.

DO NOT EXERCISE if you have bleeding, cramping, abnormal pain or other high risk factors relating to the pregnancy.

If you have any questions, please fell free to call the office at (805) 928-3678.