Pregnancy being the most delicate and transformative time of a woman’s life, they go through a lot of physical and hormonal changes. It is important for expectant mothers to prioritise their health and well-being as a new life grows in them. Taking care of their diet, basic health issues like balancing blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as mental health is crucial for both the baby and the mother.
One of the aspects mothers should be careful about is medications. Although some over the counter (OTC) medicines might seem harmless, they can pose major health risks to pregnant women and their babies. Hence it is important for pregnant women to always take medication prescribed by their doctor. To understand more on why expectant mothers should not take OTC medication without prescription, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Roohi Pirzada, MBBS, FCCM, Senior Physician and Critical Care Specialist, Mumbai.
Risks Of Taking OTC Medicines During Pregnancy
Dr Pirzada said, “Although some medications are considered safe during pregnancy, many drugs still remain a mystery and their effects on the newborn are unknown.”
1. Harm To Baby
Talking about how over the counter medication can lead to complications, Dr Pirzada said, “Medications taken during pregnancy can cross the placental barrier and impact the developing foetus which can result in miscarriage, still birth, premature birth, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, heart defects and so on.”
2. Teratogenic drugs
The drugs available over the counter are referred to as teratogenic drugs which are said to cause birth defects. “These may include certain antibiotics, anti convulsions, alcohol containing syrups, anti acne like tretinoin, blood thinners like warfarin, some hormonal preparations, and vitamin A in high doses.” This can pose a risk to the baby as well as the mother.
3. Risk Of Allergic Reactions
During pregnancy, moms to be may experience heightened sensitivity or new allergies can develop during pregnancy. According to a study, chances of drug allergies are likely to be high during pregnancy by taking over the counter medications. Consuming such medications without proper guidance can induce the risk of allergic reactions which can be bizarre for both mother and the baby.
4. Lack Of Proper Dosage Information
Over the counter medications often come with general dosage guidelines which may not always be suitable for an expectant mother as their bodily functions like metabolism are altered during pregnancy. Not having information about proper dosage of the medication can have adverse effects on the pregnancy.
5. Prescribed Drugs
As per Dr Pirzada, sometimes prescription drugs also have a risk for the baby, however stopping those can pose a threat to both mother and baby. Citing an example, she said, “If an asthmatic lady stops her medication there is risk of low birth weight and delayed growth milestones.” Adding further, she said, “In such cases doctors may prescribe safer alternatives of similar pharmacological groups.”
Non-drug Alternatives To Manage Health During Pregnancy
Dr Pirzada advised, whenever possible, use non drug alternatives to manage minor health concerns during pregnancy. Here are some tips on managing health during pregnancy, listed by Dr Pirzada.
- Avoid heartburn by eating small frequent meals rather than 3 large ones
- Use salt water nasal spray to treat nasal congestion
- Avoid foods and smells that trigger severe nausea and vomiting
- Contact your gynaecologist always before self medicating with over the counter medications and check
Conclusion
Pregnant women should avoid consuming over the counter drugs without the consultation of a doctor. These medicines can pose risks to baby and mother and any given day these risks outweigh the benefits of self-medication. It is advisable for pregnant women to always prioritise your health during pregnancy and connect with your doctor in case of any health concerns or medicinal needs.