30 Mar 09 MEDICAL CARE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: DRUGS MAY BE DANGEROUS

In the early 1960s, the first warning shots that certain drugs administered during early pregnancy might be dangerous were fired by an Australian obstetrician named William McBride.

It was reported in London’s medical magazine Lancet in the form of a short letter in the correspondence pages. Of course, what transpired is now well-established, world-wide medical history.

It was the start of the thalidomide disaster revelation. This drug had been prescribed with good intent by physicians around the world as a safe and reliable sedative. But given to pregnant women during the early months, it proved to be a monster in disguise. It had a profound effect on the development of certain key parts of the body, and subsequently great numbers of deformed and crippled children were born.

Since the tragic sixties, an enormous amount of research has been pumped into the study of drug therapy during pregnancy. The results have been so startling that now there is a blanket procedure followed by most obstetricians throughout the Western world. It is simple, clear and straightforward. In essence it merely says: “No drugs of any description during pregnancy.”

In practice it is modified a little. The risk is highest during the early months of pregnancy (particularly the first four.) So, doctors are loath to recommend any form of drug therapy during these first few vital months when cells are dividing and vital organs are being formed.

Perhaps the only forms of medication to escape this blanket edict are simple preparations such as iron, which is often required by the pregnant woman.

Many doctors order vitamin preparation, and I believe this is a good idea. Much misinformation has been printed about vitamins over the past few years, but there also seems a lot of evidence supporting their value, both for normal healthy people as well as for pregnant women. I think they have a lot going for them. Most are water-soluble, and any unwanted excess will be excreted. We gain enough vitamin D from the sunlight, and probably receive sufficient vitamin A from our food – A and D are the ones which may cause trouble if used in excessive amounts.

Some women may have heard of medication called Debendox, which was used for many years to check the nausea of pregnancy. In 1982 this was removed from prescribing lists and its manufacture ceased. Public pressure was against the medication, although for many years, thousands of women took it with good results, and with no ill effects either to themselves or their baby. Today, many doctors are swinging back to simple old vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, to check nausea.

But as for other forms of medication, doctors say, “Hands off – leave them all alone!” This extends even to simple everyday over-the-pharmacy-counter lines such as aspirin products.

So, any pregnant woman is well advised NOT to take any form of medication under any circumstances, particularly during the first three or four months of pregnancy. Be guided absolutely by your doctor’s recommendations. And do not forget that this includes any of the readily available products you might not place in the category of drug therapy. Think twice before you place anything in your mouth when you are pregnant! This could be the only way to guarantee complete safety.

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