Risks of self-medication during pregnancy

For many women, pregnancy is a time to take extreme care and to deny themselves some pleasures and conveniences for the benefit of their unborn child.

According to medical specialists, the medicines and supplements that women use when they are pregnant could have a negative effect on the health of their growing babies.

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Kecia Gaither, a medical doctor at WebMD in Johannesburg, said some medicines are considered to be risky during pregnancy.

Gaither cited aspirin, ibuprofen, isotretinoin, thalidomide, vitamin A derivatives, certain anti-cancer drugs, immune-system-modifying medicines as well as the epilepsy drug phenytoin, the anticoagulant warfarin, mood stabilisers, valproate and lithium, to name a few.

“The risk of adverse effects on unborn babies is likely to be higher from an untreated maternal disease than from the medication used to treat the condition,” said Gaither. “So in once-off dire situations when you must take medicine to safeguard your own health, chances are good that you and your baby will be fine. Just take care to do so in consultation with your healthcare professional.”

The average risks of delivering a baby with major birth defects are relatively low for most people – about three to five per cent. Gaither said, however, that untreated diseases, like epilepsy or depression, and consumed substances like medicine, herbal remedies and some foods can increase that risk.

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“Especially when their use coincides with critical foetal development during the first and third trimesters.”

Dr Trudy Smith, a Johannesburg-based obstetrician and gynaecologist who specialises as a gynaecology oncologist, advises that it is best to avoid all unnecessary medication while pregnant. “Any medication taken during pregnancy must be under the direction of your trusted medical professional,” she advised.

Details: SAMSA 011 280 6679.