With covid-19 and so many couples are in quarantine it is more than likely that the pregnancy rates will increases in this time, we will have so many what I call it Covid babies some where in November 2020.Many ladies taken different of medication and some do not have access to a doctor now days so be careful of what you are taken , ask your doctor and pharmacist abut these drugs and medication on the unborn baby or if it will effect your pregnancy.

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure or congestive heart failure. Angiotensin II antagonists, also used to treat high blood pressure or congestive heart failure. Isotretinoin (an acne drug)

 Part of doing what is best for your growing baby is making careful choices about what you put in and on your body.

Many different substances can cross the placenta and enter the baby’s bloodstream. These include: Prescription drugs, Over-the-counter medications, Herbal products, Topical creams, Inhalers, Nicotine, Street drugs .Alcohol , and Cocaine.

Effect of alcohol on the fetous.

Because your unborn baby is going through critical stages of development, these products can affect him or her differently than they affect you. Some substances can irreversibly harm your baby.

Ideally, you should not take any medication during pregnancy unless you and your health care provider determine that it is necessary. A small number of medications have been shown to be safe for use in pregnancy. The effects of most medications on the fetus are unknown.

If you were taking prescription medication for a diagnosed medical condition before you became pregnant, talk to your health care provider as soon as possible about the safety of continuing this medication. For most medical conditions in pregnancy it is much better for the mother and the baby to properly treat the condition.

The right treatment for most conditions when a woman is pregnant is generally the same as the right treatment when she is not pregnant. Consult your health care provider before stopping any medication. For information on specific medications, consult your health care provider or databases of research on medication use during pregnancy. Much of the information posted on the internet tends to be an unscientific posting of horror stories and is not a reliable source of information about the effects of drugs in pregnancy.

Many people use natural or herbal products with the assumption that they are safer than other options. However, most of these products have not been clinically tested for safety or effectiveness. And very few have been tested for safety during pregnancy. Although a product may be considered natural, it still can contain ingredients that could harm your baby. Always talk to your health care provider first.

 Other drugs that can affect the unborn baby are the antidepressants, anti epileptic, and some antibiotics drugs, such as Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, wellbutrin, valpric acid (Depakote) this drug can cause heart atria septal defect (ASD), Ventricle septal defect (VSD),and many other heart defects.

Antibiotic called Nitrofurantoin, and other medication under the name of Sulfasalazine (azacol) is associated with ASD and hypo plastic heart disease, and coarctation of aorta.

Lithium a mode stabilizer used for the treatment of bipolar disorder has been associated with Ebsteins anomaly –tricuspid valve disease. Paroxetine, bupropion, cephalosporins (keflix), ibuprofen, tobacco has been associated with many fetal heart anomalies.

Other disease such as Rubella, Diabetes mellitus, hyperthermia, taken Vitamin A all is associated with fetal heart disease.

Make sure to ask your doctor, pharmacists, and check yourself for the side effects of these drugs if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant at this time so they can tell you when you can stop the medication and when you can take it and advice you of the time you need to get rid of the drugs from your system.

Steve Ramsey.PhD- Public Health, PgD -Natural medicine. MSc Medical Ultrasound. Okotoks – Alberta.