©Pregnancy bliss 2008

Continues from previous page

 

Transfer of  drug across the ­placenta  to the fetus

It is true that most drugs are transferred across the placenta to the fetus. The main issues are the rate of transfer, which differs from drug to drug, and the effect the drug is likely to have on the fetus. These will be discussed in due course.

 

Birth defects blamed on medicine taken during pregnancy

The figure is not known for sure. However, in the Western world,, where approximate figures are available, it is estimated that about one in forty (2.5 per cent) of babies born with defects end up that way because of medicines takes by the mother during pregnancy. This figure is clearly historical as awareness of this problem is much better now and therefore such errors increasingly rarer.

 

This is about 1 in 1500 of all newborns, since babies with birth defects account for 2-3 per cent of all newborns.

 

This cannot be eliminate entirely because there are a lot of women who take potentially harmful medication before they are aware of their pregnancy. This also happen to be the most sensitive phase of the pregnancy.

 

Types of birth defects and seriousness differ from drug to drug.

 

The most sensitive pregnancy phase for drug taking

The embryonic phase of pregnancy, which stretches up to the eighth week, is particularly sensitive to any foreign chemicals. This is the time when organs are being formed. Any damage occurring at this stage is irreversible.

 

A word of caution: Not all types of medication will cause damage to the fetus, even if taken in this sensitive period. Moreover, some medications taken outside this period could still inflict harm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antibiotics in Pregnancy: Next Page

Drugs like Valproic acid used in epilepsy can increase the risk of such conditions as Spina bifida if taken in the earliest phase of pregnancy. Even common antibiotics such as Doxycycline nan cause harm to the fetus in the womb.