Safe Medications For Pregnancy

When dealing with various ailments during pregnancy, how do you know which medications are safe for you and your unborn baby? MH finds out. 

- Rachel Lim

Motherhood speaks to Dr Tan Toh Lick, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Thomson Women’s Clinic; and Dr Lim Min Yu, consultant, National University Hospital Women’s Centre, to find out more on the safe medications for you and your unborn baby when dealing with various ailments.

Pain

Pain is an important symptom to alert your obstetrician. One of this is Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). This pain around the front and/or back of the pelvis is common in pregnancy, affecting about 20 per cent of women particularly later in pregnancy. The pain is due to strain on the pelvic joints and can also affect other areas such as the hips or thighs. An assessment by your specialist is required before diagnosing PGP. Typically the pain is triggered by movement such as walking, rolling over in bed and during sexual intercourse.  

What to Do About it?

Avoid lifting heavy objects.

Try to keep both legs together when turning over in bed or getting in and out of the car.

Strengthening your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles to improve posture and stabilise the spine will also improve PGP.

Dr Tan adds that using a support belt, hydrotherapy and acupuncture may also be useful. “If these measures are inadequate, pain relief such as paracetamol is effective and safe in pregnancy.”

Constipation

Constipation is very common in pregnancy, affecting almost 40 per cent of women.

What to Do About it?

In mild cases, increasing exercise, as well as fluid and fibre intake, may resolve the problem. For women taking iron supplements, stopping temporarily if appropriate may relieve symptoms.