Medication in early pregnancy: prevalence of use and relationship to maternal characteristics

Article Abstract:

It is increasingly becoming apparent that the use of drugs and chemicals during pregnancy can adversely affect the fetus. Little is known about the effects most medications can have on the fetus and thus their use during pregnancy should be as limited as possible. Despite this, most studies have shown that 44 to 92 percent of all women take at least one medication during pregnancy. The few studies that have examined maternal characteristics in conjunction with use of medications have been limited to age, race, and smoking history. This study examined the relationship of medication use during pregnancy and various characteristics of the mother. Women planning to deliver at Yale-New Haven Hospital were invited to join the study. A total of 4,186 interviews were completed. During the first trimester of pregnancy, 34.1 percent of the women reported using no medications, 32.3 percent used one, 27.3 percent used two or three, and 6.4 percent used four or more. Prescription drugs were used by 27.3 percent of the women and over-the-counter drugs were used by 54.9 percent of the women. Women taking medication were more likely to be using both prescription and nonprescription drugs. The most commonly used over-the-counter drugs were analgesics such as Tylenol and the most commonly used prescription drugs were parasympatholytic agents such as Bendectin antihistamine. Maternal characteristics associated with use of both types of drugs included being older, married, white, college-educated, and users of caffeine and marijuana. Alcohol use was associated with taking over-the-counter drugs only. These results suggest that women who are more likely to take medications during pregnancy are also more likely to engage in other high-risk activities that could affect the fetus. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Drugs, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Fetus, Dosage and administration, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Drug administration and dosage, Adverse drug reactions, Nonprescription drugs

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Cigarette smoking during pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia: a systematic review

Article Abstract:

Women who smoke during pregnancy appear to have a lower risk of preeclampsia although the reason for this is not known. Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and mild kidney disease.

Preeclampsia

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies on the association between maternal cigarette smoking and preterm delivery

Article Abstract:

Smoking appears to be a risk factor for premature labor, according to an evaluation of 20 studies. The more cigarettes smoked per day, the higher the risk.

Premature labor

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