Health Tip: Medications and Pregnancy
November 28, 2008, 11:01 AM ET
• 1 min read
Nov. 29 -- (HealthDay News) -- You may take certain over-the-counter supplements and medications without thinking twice. But when you're pregnant, even drugs that you can buy without a prescription can affect the developing fetus.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these safety guidelines about medications and pregnancy:
Don't take any medicine or herbal supplement without checking with your doctor.Try not to take any medicine during your first trimester of pregnancy, when your baby is most likely to be affected.If you are having pain, acetaminophen is usually safe for pregnant women to take for a short period. But you should first check with your doctor.Don't take aspirin while you're pregnant.Don't take an NSAID -- such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve -- while you're pregnant, particularly during your third trimester.