Health Tip: Medications and Pregnancy

(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.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Nov. 28, 2008

Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.