I’ve done the best I can… I stopped taking my asthma steroids because I wasn’t convinced they were doing anything anyway, but have continued using my inhaler (albuterol)… once a week to once a day usually… sometimes more depending on outside factors. It is thought to possibly be associated with some birth defects such as cleft pallet, but nothing showed up on the ultrasound so I’m hoping we’re ok. I stopped taking allegra, but continued taking singulair because it helps control asthma as well as allergies, and it’s thought to be safe for pregnancy. I also take benydril and tylonol as when I need them.

The problem with getting data on how drugs effect fetuses is that it is impossible to do a randomized clinical study, and you have to wait for pregnant women to take the drug and report a result.
We need to do a better job and encouraging women to enroll in pregnancy registries when they are on medications. For pregnant women on medication, google your med and the term “pregnancy registry”. I’m in a registry that followed me through my pregnancy and will follow up with my son for five years.

I avoid all medication while pregnant and nursing, but I am fortunate that I do not depend on or need any medication on a regular basis. I’m sure most expectant mothers would choose not to use medication but often have no choice (for example, one of my friends has arthritis and needed to continue taking her medication during pregnancy or she could not get out of bed).

I went into pregnancy determined not to take anything stronger than Tylenol. And then I got hyperemesis gravidarum and had to wear a pump delivering anti-nausea meds for three months in addition to various other anti-nausea pills. It was either that or the baby and I were both going to die of dehydration.

I didn’t have much choice and am happy to report that she is a very healthy and happy 2 year old.

I am 16 weeks pregnant with my third child during the first two I took nothing but required anti depressants, however after the birth of my second I developed a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis and was put on a daily high dose of pain medication and xanax. with this surprise pregnancy I weaned myself off of the xanax immediately and got on a taper plan for the pain medication. However my anxiety rose to the point where I could not function, take care of my children, eat, sleep or literally leave the house. My ob does not like the fact that I have been having to take very very small doses of my xanax throughout the day but the second opinions I have received state that the benefits outweigh the risk. The level of constant anxiety without it is not good for me or baby. I am still currently weaning off of the pain meds slowely as to not shock my system or the babys, I have ultrasounds every 4 weeks and so far everything looks great, baby is growing, active and good development and heartrate. Unfortunately some medications are necessary for normal day to day functioning for the mother, such as the steroids I am on for ra, but had this pregnancy been planed I would have been sure my body wasn’t dependant on the medication at the time of conception. As of now all I can do is put it in Gods hands that my baby will be born healthy.