Before introducing the speech, it is good to make a premise: drugs are responsible for only 2-3% of all congenital malformations, mostly linked to genetic, environmental or unknown factors. At the same time, however, it is realistic to state that
some medicines could have consequences on the fetus , based on the dosage and the period of use. Not surprisingly, the package leaflet of almost all the drugs on the market warns of caution in their use during pregnancy.
BEFORE CONCEPTION
From the moment you decide to look for a baby, it would be advisable to consult a doctor, especially if you need to undergo prolonged therapy. Most drugs are eliminated within 48-72 hours, but there are also drugs that stay in circulation longer, for example retinoids for acne treatment. Certainly there are cases in which a mother cannot discontinue her medications: let's think of hypertensive, diabetic women, suffering from metabolic diseases or epilepsy. However, the expert could replace the therapy with more suitable and safer molecules for the health of mother and child. Except in these exceptional cases, it would be better to stop taking the medicines a few months before attempting to conceive.
WHAT ABOUT PREGNANCY?
The most delicate period is that of the
first three months , in which the main organs are formed. In particular, medicines taken within the twentieth day of conception could produce the effect of 'all or nothing' (ie miscarriage or no flu); between the third and eighth week, teratogenic effects on the fetus (serious physical malformations: antineoplastic agents against tumors and adrenocortical hormones are the cause); after the eighth week, changes in the fetal organs or tissues (for example, some antibiotics affect the growth of the teeth).
If a woman has taken antibiotics after conception but before pregnancy is confirmed, it is advisable to contact a gynecologist or specialized hospital centers so that they can evaluate the type of antibiotic and possibly intervene.
In general, it would be better to avoid the use of drugs during pregnancy and, in any case, never take any without first
consulting your doctor , since a potential effect on the embryo can be totally excluded for no drug, including the most common ones (analgesics, laxatives, flu remedies, antacids and psychopharmaceuticals). What is certain is that a mother
cannot fail to take care of herself : the important thing is to get advice from an expert.
By Lucia Modici | Taken from the magazine Nascere Mamma
