An unexpected pregnancy can often be a blessing. However, for a woman that doesn’t know that she is pregnant, it can also be scary for several reasons. Many times, before a woman knows that she is pregnant, she might take prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, use alcohol, or abuse illicit substance. The dangers of each of these can vary greatly.

During the first trimester, your baby is just starting to develop. Many of the critical systems and organs are forming. The first trimester is a critical stage, and a stage at which your baby is particularly vulnerable. The consumption of drugs during the first trimester can be dangerous to your baby, just as it can during any other time during pregnancy.

In terms of prescription medications, there are many that are completely safe to use throughout pregnancy. However, there are also many that are not safe to use at all during pregnancy, and may cause serious complications for you and for your baby. If you took prescription drugs during your first trimester, you should discuss this with your health care provider. She should be able to help you determine what the risks of these drugs may have been, and also to help you determine if your baby is OK.

Many over-the-counter medications are safe for use by pregnant women, as well. In fact, medications that are known for certain to cause harm to your baby are typically not available over-the-counter. Still, there are some over-the-counter medications that you should stay away from. Here again, it is best to consult with your physician.

Regular or excessive alcohol consumption while pregnant can have severely detrimental effects on your baby and on your pregnancy. Alcohol is known to pass through a woman’s body, through the placenta, and to her baby. Your growing baby’s body doesn’t have the ability to process alcohol the way that an adult body does, and alcohol can remain in the baby’s body at higher levels and for a much longer time.

Illicit drug use during any trimester of pregnancy is extremely risky. If you used an ilicit substance during your first trimester, your baby is at risk and you should contact your health care provider immediately.

Posted in Pregnancy

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