You should avoid many drugs during pregnancy, including Isotretinoin (for acne), ACE inhibitors/Angiotensin II blockers (blood pressure), Warfarin (blood thinner), Lithium, certain antibiotics (like Tetracycline), NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen/Aspirin, especially later on), and Opioids (like Codeine, Oxycodone), plus Alcohol and Cocaine, as they can cause birth defects or complications, so always consult a doctor before taking any medication.
Research shows that use of tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs by pregnant women can have severe health consequences for infants. This is because many substances pass easily through the placenta, so substances that a pregnant woman takes also reach the fetus.
Paracetamol remains the recommended treatment option for pain or fever in pregnant women when used as directed. Importantly, untreated fever and pain can pose risks to the unborn baby, highlighting the importance of managing these symptoms with recommended treatment.
New studies now show that painkillers from the group of so-called non-aspirin NSAIDs, such as diclofenac, naproxen, celecoxib, ibuprofen, and rofecoxib, taken alone or in combination during early pregnancy, can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion by 2.4 times ( Nakhai-Pour, HR, P. Broy, et al.
The birth control pill (also called "the Pill") is a daily pill that has hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy.
Illegal drugs and pregnancy
Substances with some known effects include: Methamphetamines and amphetamines – increased risk of low birth weight, birth defects, premature birth. Cannabis – increased risk of growth restriction sleep problems, behavioural problems later in life.
During the first trimester, avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs, limit caffeine, and steer clear of foods like high-mercury fish (shark, swordfish, marlin), raw/undercooked meats, eggs, seafood (sushi, smoked salmon), unpasteurized dairy, and soft cheeses, plus activities like cleaning litter boxes (toxoplasmosis risk) or using saunas/hot tubs (overheating), to protect the vulnerable developing baby from infections, toxins, and overheating.
In some cases, if you and your doctor decide this option is right for you, medication can be used. This medication brings on the miscarriage faster. This medication is called misoprostol (also known as CytotecTM).
Chromosome conditions
If your baby inherits a chromosome condition, they'll not be able to develop properly. This causes a miscarriage. It's not possible to tell which parent passed on the chromosome condition. Chromosome conditions are thought to be the most common cause of an early miscarriage.
We observed chemical gene sets (parathion, cadmium, naphthalene, carbon tetrachloride, arsenic, lead, dieldrin, and atrazine) were highly enriched for miscarriage genes.
Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen, a nonsalicylate similar to aspirin in analgesic potency, has demonstrated efficacy and apparent safety at all stages of pregnancy in standard therapeutic doses.
Is Biogesic® safe for pregnant women? Biogesic® tablet contains paracetamol, an analgesic-antipyretic, which may be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, we encourage pregnant women to always consult with their doctors before ingesting medicines.
Codeine and pregnancy
Codeine can be taken in pregnancy, although long-term use is not recommended. If you take codeine at the end of pregnancy there's a risk that your baby will be used to having codeine. This means that they may have withdrawal symptoms.
Each of the following drugs or drug groups may cause birth defects in a developing fetus:
Advanced age. Risk is higher for women younger than 17 or older than 35. Medical history. Previous miscarriages, a family or fetal genetic condition, or a prior C-section can all cause a pregnancy to be considered high-risk.
Antibiotics and Risk for Spontaneous Abortion
These antibiotics included quinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, metronidazole, and macrolides (except erythromycin). Several of these, like azithromycin and ciprofloxacin, are commonly prescribed in the outpatient setting.
Caffeine in High Amounts: Excessive caffeine consumption (more than 200 mg per day) is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, especially during the first trimester. Caffeine can disturb the placenta, affecting the baby's developing heart rate and metabolism. Common Sources of Caffeine: Coffee.
There is no evidence of reduction in the risk of miscarriage in women prescribed bed rest. HCG administration as an alternative care for threatened miscarriage was more effective than bed rest in the Harrison study but this benefit is not confirmed when compared with placebo.
Most miscarriages happen because the unborn baby doesn't develop properly. About half to two-thirds of miscarriages in the first trimester are linked with extra or missing chromosomes. Chromosomes are structures in each cell that contain genes, the instructions for how people look and function.
Folic acid is important as it reduces the risk of having a baby with a serious medical condition known as a neural tube defect. Neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida can lead to miscarriage, so folic acid can help prevent miscarriage caused by NTDs.
The first 0 to 13 weeks of pregnancy are considered the first trimester. Roughly 80 percent of miscarriages occur during this time. The remaining 20 percent of miscarriages happen between weeks 13 and 20.
The physical recovery can take 1 or 2 months. Your period should start within 4 to 6 weeks. Don't put anything in your body, including a tampon, and don't have sex for about 1-2 weeks. It can take longer for you to heal emotionally, especially if you knew you were pregnant when you miscarried.
A pregnancy may also be more likely to end in miscarriage if you:
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions every 3 minutes, lasting 2 minutes each (or 1 minute long for some variations), for over 1 hour. It helps differentiate true labor from false labor (Braxton Hicks), signaling it's time to head to the birthing center, while subsequent pregnancies often follow the faster 5-1-1 rule.
There's no perfect time to share your pregnancy—do what feels right for you. Many wait until after the first trimester. Miscarriage risk drops after 13 weeks, but it's also OK to tell trusted loved ones earlier for support.