Pregnant women in medication trap: How to make the right choice!

Pregnant women in medication trap: How to make the right choice!

Ulm, Deutschland - Ulm/Berlin - pregnant women who are sick and need medication often face a dilemma! The package inserts of the medicines are rarely a reliable help, because most medication are not harmless to expectant mothers. A look at the package insert often leads to the worrying note: "Ask your doctor or pharmacist!" That leaves many pregnant women in uncertainty.

Wolfgang Paulus, head of the advice center for medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding at the University Clinic Ulm, knows the worries of women. Every year, his team advises up to 4,000 patients. "The information on the package paper often causes so much fear that women either do without medication or accidentally take something and then panic," explains Paul. The challenge is to weigh up benefits and risks, which is often not easy, since the data situation for pregnancy medication is often thin.

The shadows of the past

The reluctance of the manufacturers has their roots in the contergan scandal of the 1960s, which resulted in thousands of children with serious malformations. Since then, pregnant women have been excluded from many studies. "Animal experiments do not provide reliable data because the metabolism of the animals is different and often much higher doses are used," says Paul. The only way to gain scientific findings remains often the observation of women who unknowingly took medication in early pregnancy. But that can take years before warnings can be relativized.

If pregnant women have complaints, it is crucial to look at the individual situation. Manuela Rauer-Sell, midwife and consultant, emphasizes that not everything has to be endured. "Pain can cause stress for the mother and the unborn child," she warns. It is important to educate pregnant women and give them the freedom to decide for themselves when to take medication. Advisory services, such as those of the University Clinic Ulm and the Charité in Berlin, offer valuable orientation. Rauer-Sell also recommends trying home remedies for slight symptoms before taking medication. "Old knowledge still has its justification today," she adds.