Over the course of your pregnancy, you will come across many do’s and don’ts for yourself and your growing child. A lot of the don'ts are due to health risks and issues for baby; medications during pregnancy are at the top of the list of what to look into. Certain things that were safe for you pre-pregnancy are now totally unsafe or could pose possible health risks for your child. We will go over common medications and replacements here.

Be sure to update your doctor

During your prenatal visits, your doctor will likely want to go over the medicines you take on a regular basis (whether they’re prescription or over the counter). It is important to inform your OB of any herbal or natural supplements you’re taking as well, as some of these may even be unsafe or need to be replaced with something else.  Prenatal vitamins are definitely safe to consume and are certainly recommended, but you will need to consult your physician about the safety of any other herbal remedies or vitamins you’re taking.

Medications to avoid during pregnancy

Medications to avoid during pregnancy- illegal drugs and narcotics should always be avoided, especially during pregnancy. If you have a prescription or illegal drug dependency issue, please seek help immediately, as continued use during gestation can cause lasting adverse effects to your child’s health, mental capacity, and well-being.

Safe medications to take during pregnancy

Certain medications during pregnancy are safe to take (although you should always consult a physician), such as Benadryl, Sudafed, Tylenol. Saline nasal drips or spray and a few others. Some acne medications can be extremely dangerous to take during your pregnancy- especially Accutane. Studies show Accutane caused birth defects in 25-35% of babies born to women exposed to medications during pregnancy (including craniofacial defects, heart defects, and central nervous system defects).

Be sure to qualify for your breast pump before baby arrives

You can ensure you’re giving your child the best nutrition possible post-birth by breast feeding. Breast milk is nature’s perfect food for baby. You may end up finding yourself need a breast pump, or other breast feeding equipment and supplies- you can find these items at Aeroflow Healthcare for an amazingly low price. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps are covered at little to no cost to patients- you can find out if your policy is compliant by completing the following simple three-step qualification form. A representative will contact your insurance company, verify your coverage and network status, and contact you with your options within 3-5 business days.

If you have questions about getting your breast pump through insurance, give us a call at 844-867-9890. We look forward to working with you!