What You Should Know About Taking Drugs During Pregnancy

Studies reveal that a lot of pregnant women prefer to use so-called social, non-prescribed over-the-counter drugs. The claim is that these drugs ease the stress associated with pregnancy. As a pregnant woman, you should pay close attention to your drug intake. You should also consult your doctor before any drug use at all to be on a safe side.

Most drugs, even those that pose no risk to non-pregnant women, have harmful effects on the developing baby when used. These drugs stunt the growth of developing fetus during pregnancy when used by their mothers. Significant amongst these drugs are over-the-counter painkillers like Nurofen and Ibuprofen.

The following are a few of the ways that these drugs affect the fetus:

• They cause fetal damage and severe growth alterations. Some of these complications eventually lead to congenital disabilities or death.
• Placenta malfunctions might happen due to blood vessels construction. This complication reduces oxygen, and nutrients supply from the mum to the baby, leaving the baby underdeveloped or under weighed.
• Forceful contraction of the uterine muscle from drug use can damage the fetus. This leads to blood supply reduction, which leads to premature delivery eventually. 
• Some indirect complications reduce the blood pressure of the pregnant mother. This complication hinders the supply of oxygen and other useful nutrients to the fetus through the placenta. 

Drugs also take effect based on certain conditions. The impact a drug has on any pregnant woman depends on different parameters. 

• The period of the pregnancy (Whether it is the first, second or the third trimester)
• The amount of the drug and its single-volume dictates its effect to some extent. 
• Some pregnant mothers are susceptible to drug impacts. -This is a genetic factor that makes such mothers easily affected.

These factors impact the effect these drugs can have on you.

Furthermore, certain drugs are safer options for common ailments. Check out this list of a few of these drugs to know what to use but only use medicines prescribed by your doctor. 

• Paracetamol
• Hot lemon and honey
• Simple linctus
• Steaming for blocked nostrils
• Senna or Cascara
• Lactulose
• Nasal Sprays