Drugs should be avoided during pregnancy unless essential because of possible adverse effect on the fetus. Drugs may pass through the placenta and cause harm, as the enzyme systems responsible for their degradation are undeveloped in the fetus. While many drugs are harmless, examples of problems include warfarin, which may induce fetal and placental haemorrhage, and thiazides which may produce thrombocytopenia in the newborn. Many progestogens have androgenic side-effects and their administration to a mother for the purpose of preventing recurrent abortion may produce virilization of the female fetus.
Certain medications used during pregnancy, like thalidomide and isotretinoin, can traverse from the mother to the fetus via the placenta. This transmission might disrupt the fetus’s development, resulting in congenital abnormalities. Although only a limited number of drugs have been definitively linked to fetal harm, it’s essential to recognize that no medication can be deemed entirely risk-free, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. Pregnant individuals should consult medical professionals before taking any medication, even those available over-the-counter. However, if a medication’s benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the fetus, healthcare providers might recommend its use.
Complications can arise for a developing fetus when a pregnant individual consumes alcohol, uses tobacco, or engages in substance abuse. Infants born to mothers who use heroin during pregnancy often exhibit lower birth weights and a heightened mortality rate in the initial weeks of life, surpassing typical expectations. Moreover, infants of mothers who misuse drugs intravenously face a substantial risk of contracting HIV infection.