1. More and more pregnant women are abusing drugs
Pregnant women are always recommended to limit the use of the drug. However, in clinical practice, there are many women who abuse over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs and supplements.
In some of the largest studies in the United States by a team of experts from the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, more than 70% of women take at least 1 over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication during the first 3 months of pregnancy. 60% of women take 3-4 medications during pregnancy. In several studies in different countries, the drug is also used in more than 50% of pregnant women and this rate is increasing.
Accordingly, the most commonly used drugs, including: Antiemetic, antacid, analgesic, antihistamine, antibiotics, diuretics, sleeping pills, sedatives ... Not to mention there are quite a few cases where there is the use of illegal drugs.
2. Effects of the drug in pregnant women
Some drugs cross the placenta, can be toxic and directly affect the fetus:
- Causes miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects.
- Can act on the uterus, causing contractions, which in turn leads to the development of pregnancy or causes premature birth. Specifically depending on the age of the fetus, the drug can cause the following effects:
+ In the first 3 months, the drug may cause birth defects. The risk of birth defects is greatest from the 3rd to the 11th week of pregnancy.
+ In the middle and last 3 months, some drugs may adversely affect the functional development of the fetus or cause fetal tissue intoxication.
+ Some used right before or during birth may cause harmful effects on the birth or for the baby after birth.
Some medications may not cross the placenta, but can still harm the fetus by:
- Accumulation in the placental cake blood vessels, thereby changing the function of the placenta cake, reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus leading to underdeveloped pregnancy.
- Causes severe uterine hypertone leading to non-toxic damage. The drug can cause changes in the mother's body and indirectly affect the pregnancy.
3. What should be noted about the use of drugs for pregnant women?
Avoid all medications (if possible) during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Medicines that are widely authorized for use during pregnancy should be used and have been shown to be safe after being put on the market. Do not take new and untested drugs. - Should be taken at the lowest effective dose.
- Precautions when using: Quinolone antibiotics, co-trimoxazole, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, anticancer drugs, beta-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, nicotine, statin groups... With dietary supplements, clinical safety data are even more limited than with drugs. Therefore, if you decide to use it for pregnant women, you must be much more cautious.
- For pregnant women with certain disorders, it is necessary to see an obstetrician, in conjunction with a specialist who is suffering from ... for advice on appropriate, safe medication.