Pregnancy and Prescriptions

You could be taking some kind of drug, substance, or medication during pregnancy, often without realizing the potential for harm it poses to your unborn child. Drugs or medication taken by the mother may cross the placenta and reach the developing fetus. The possible effects may include developmental delay, intellectual disability, birth defects, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

You should always give your doctor, midwife, and pharmacist a full list of all the medications you take or have recently taken, including:

• prescription medicines
• over-the-counter medicines 
• nutrition supplements (e.g., vitamins) 
• complementary therapies (e.g., herbal medicine)

You should also tell your doctor or midwife if you smoke, drink alcohol, or take illegal drugs, even if you only take them occasionally or socially.

Additional Resources

• Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs, and Pregnancy FAQs from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Pregnancy and Alcohol Information from FASD United (National Voice on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders)

For more information and resources, visit the Navigating Treatment page.