Bactrim, chemically known as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, is an antibiotic used to treat various infections of the urinary tract, ear and respiratory tract. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration categorizes Bactrim as a pregnancy category C...
Lovenox (enoxaparin) is a blood thinner, often referred to as a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), that's given by daily injection. LMWH's offer a more stable and predictable course of action in the body and therefore minimize the bleeding risks...
Heparin is a prescription drug classified as an anticoagulant. It is used for the treatment and prevention of deep vein blood clots. Heparin is the medication that is preferred during pregnancy. Medications given during pregnancy, however, always...
Calcium is an important mineral for people of all ages, especially for women during pregnancy. While a balanced diet provides adequate amounts of calcium for most people, taking a supplement can help guard against nutritional deficiencies. Calcium...
Progesterone is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body. According to the American Pregnancy Association, during the earlier stages of pregnancy, days 12 to 16 of the cycle, it is released by the part of the egg follicle known as the...
Each day, healthy women need between 310 and 320 mg of magnesium, a mineral that every organ in the body needs to function properly. During pregnancy, a woman's nutritional needs change to account for the added stress a growing fetus puts on her...
The FDA approved ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, in 1974. Drugs in the NSAID group are used to manage mild to moderate pain, inflammation and fevers. Pregnant women, however, should avoid taking ibuprofen and other...
The normal gestation period of a pregnancy is 40 weeks, and chances are that a woman will experience part of her pregnancy during the summer. While all pregnant women should drink plenty of water, get adequate rest and avoid unnecessary exertion,...
Effexor, also known by the generic name venlafaxine, is an antidepressant used to treat depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Because depression affects up to 20 percent of pregnant women, there is great need for medications that can...
Indomethacin is a powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, which means that it works to help relieve pain and also prevent inflammation. Indomethacin works by blocking the action of a compound called prostaglandin. Indomethacin can be...
Cymbalta is an antidepressant medication classified as an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), which means it increases levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Cymbalta is a Class C drug for use in pregnancy, which means that...
Caffeine is a stimulant, and neither doctors nor scientists can agree on a safe level of consumption during pregnancy. Studies have been performed attempting to identify the risks associated with caffeine intake during pregnancy, although results...
Having high blood sugars during your pregnancy can be bad for your baby. According to Medline Plus, three to eight out of every 100 women get gestational diabetes. Women who are already diabetic when they are pregnant have to monitor and manage...
Folic acid, or folate, is a type of water-soluble B vitamin crucial for women of childbearing age. Folate is the form that occurs naturally in foods; whereas, folic acid is the synthetic variety, added to fortified foods and supplements. Folic...
Three kinds of medicines are used to treat anxiety, according to Psych Central, and not all of them are safe for pregnancy. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, or Xanax, earn a pregnancy category D rating from the U.S. Food and Drug...
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a naturally occurring hormone that is found in pregnant women. It is often used to detect pregnancy. Some women may not make enough HCG on their own, which can result in a miscarriage. In this case, a...
Chicory root, a perennial plant that grows as a weed in moderate climates, has been used as both a vegetable and dietary supplement to treat various health conditions. Despite its medicinal properties, using chicory root during pregnancy may cause...
For centuries, cod liver oil has been used for its potent nutritional properties. This concentrated oil contains a combination of omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also contains the...
Progesterone supplements are given to pregnant women who have a history of low progesterone levels in pregnancy or a history of recurrent miscarriage. Progesterone is a hormone that helps maintains a pregnancy; normal levels are over 12 ng/ml in...
Because of their unique needs, pregnant women require more daily iron than the average woman. They often turn to a prenatal vitamin or another supplement in order to reach their recommended intake; however, for some women iron supplements can...
Taking prenatal vitamins may be suggested for women who are thinking of becoming pregnant. Prenatal vitamins are a specially formulated combination of vitamins and minerals essential for normal fetal development and the prevention of certain birth...
Ginger root is one of the most popular herbs available as alternative medicine. This is due in part to the appealing flavor of ginger, which is sometimes used in the making of baked goods like cookies and cake. But ginger is also a very versatile...
During pregnancy, several hormones work in symphony to support the growing fetus and the complex body changes needed to support it. They are also important for labor and birth to occur and for the production of breast milk. Human chorionic...
Diarrhea is a common side effect of pregnancy. Whether it strikes in the first trimester or the last, most women are bound to experience it at some point. Diarrhea is not always serious, but as always, a woman should report any symptoms to her...
Stretch marks, the shiny scars that mark the spot where skin has suddenly stretched to accommodate growth or weight gain, are one of the potential side effects of pregnancy that women dread most. Genetics are the most likely indicator of whether...
Taking your prenatal vitamins daily is essential for the health of your growing baby. These vitamins will fuel your body, giving you energy to carry your baby, while also providing nutrients for your baby's development. Dizziness can be a symptom...
Pregnant women need to be careful what they consume and avoid cigarettes, alcohol, raw seafood and other potential dangers. However, if you are pregnant you also need to be aware of what you place on your body. The ingredients of some skin care...
Pregnancy has many effects on a woman's body, and itching is one of the most common side effects. In some cases, the itching might be so severe that it becomes painful. To determine the cause of the itching, it's important to note the location of...
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 14 to 23 percent of pregnant women will experience depression during their pregnancy. The symptoms of depression during pregnancy can be difficult to recognize because they can...
Exercising during pregnancy can help provide a more healthy pregnancy period. Learn how to exercise during pregnancy from an exercise professional in this video.
