The best thing when we are looking for a baby or we get pregnant is to leave the medicines aside and of course, not self-medicate.
The safest thing is not to take them unless strictly necessary. It can be said that Pregnancy medications are not a necessity but a luxury. Therefore, it is best to avoid them.
Most of the discomfort can be treated with natural remedies without the need to take drugs because it is not known to what extent they can affect the fetus.
Recently we talked about a study revealed that paracetamol, one of the medications considered harmless, increases the chances of asthma in childhood, the same risk with which it has been related to antacids.
Even so, both are within the kit of the allowed drugs provided they are taken according to medical prescription, since the misuse of any medication, especially in the first 12 weeks of gestation, can cause malformations in the fetus, abnormalities and even risk of abortion
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 90% of women are medicated in pregnancy, a percentage that is surely reducible if we do not take the drugs at the slightest symptom. I do not say that we have to endure, but there are also harmless ways to treat ailments such as colds, congestion or a headache.
According to the specialist Francisco Zaragoza, professor and director of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Alcalá de Henares, there are certain medications such as antiepileptics or antimaniacs (lithium salts) in which the benefits they provide to the mother are valued more than the risk they may pose to the fetus.
Among the harmless, always with a prescription, there are some analgesics (paracetamol, for example), some antibiotics such as penicillin, antiemetics (against vomiting and nausea) or heparin as an anticoagulant. Of course, also the vitamin supplements and folic acid that in addition to being allowed is mandatory for at least one month before becoming pregnant and during the first months of pregnancy.
Among the banned are retinoic acid, hormones, vaccines, some antibiotics such as tetracycline or aminoglycosides.
There is also a group of intermediate drugs whose safety is not proven, as are medicinal plants, but so far there are no studies that recommend avoiding them.
Anyway, before taking any medication you should consult your gynecologist and remember that the same precaution must be taken before becoming pregnant and during breastfeeding.
