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| Home > Complication & Medications > Medications
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| | Medications
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 Drugs have been used from time immemorial to remedy a variety of human ailments. Our forefathers discovered numerous herbs and other substances to treat a host of disorders. Opium was used to relieve pain, wild cherry soothed coughs and digitalis helped the heart. Today, we may be in possession of variety of drugs to relieve the symptoms of various diseases, but they are not without their side effects. Depending their use, all medications whether herbal or modern allopathic, can be harm-ful or helpful. Drugs for the pregnant women should be administered when their benefits out-weigh their risks and in correct dosages.
General Considerations
There is prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal drugs or drugs sourced from illegal sources. When you choose to take an over-the-counter medication or it is prescribed by your doctor, you must make a note of the following, irrespective of pregnancy.
What benefits will accrue from taking the drug?
What are the risks of taking the drug?
Consider other options before deciding on the best treatment for you.
What happens if you choose not to take it?
Informing your physician and pharmacist about your drug allergies and other medications you are taking?
Read the labels of self chosen drugs
What dosage should you take?
Timing of the drug and the interval after which it is to be taken? Before or after meals?
Instructions of storage? In a special place-the refrigerator, a dark place?
What are the side effects of this drug? Which side effects should be reported to your physician?
Pregnancy, childbirth and when nursing, you will require to be extra vigilant to the following additional questions, since the well-being of your baby, the progress of your labor and the produc-tion of safe breast milk may be affected by the drugs you take.
What effect will this medication have on you during pre-gnancy and labor, after birth, and while you are breastfeeding? How will this medication affect the progress of your labor?
What effect will this medication have on your baby during pregnancy, labor, after the birth and while breastfeeding? In case you do not take this medication, how will your baby be affected?
If only you have satisfactory answers to these questions then you will be able to make an informed decision, one that contributes posi-tively to your health care and to the well-being of your baby.
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