Which medications are safe for me to use during pregnancy? Many medications – even over-the-counter medications – are not recommended during pregnancy, although you may unfortunately misuse them without you knowing you are pregnant, and it is unlikely that they will be harmful to your fetus at all. However, you should always check with your doctor to see if one of your prescription medications can be used during pregnancy, and also with your pharmacist when you buy an over-the-counter medication. Even if they are technically safe, you may find that some medications (such as indigestion-type drugs) interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals, so it is best not to use them except when specifically needed. Is infection a risk factor when pregnant? Many women worry that infections may affect their pregnancy, but I can assure you that things like the common cold, flu, sore throat, gastroenteritis and general tummy upsets are not dangerous to your pregnancy or your baby. However, if you have a disease such as chickenpox, rubella (see page 14) or measles that you have not had or been immune to before, this can be a cause for concern and you should consult your GP. Chickenpox: This is a highly contagious virus that is particularly common in children, but it will rarely affect your pregnancy or baby if it is you who has the disease. If you get chickenpox in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, it is unlikely to cause your miscarriage or affect the baby. If you contract it between 8 and 20 weeks, there is only a small risk (1-2%) that it will affect your baby. Rubella: One of the highly contagious viral diseases that, if contracted during pregnancy, will cause a miscarriage and infect the fetus in your womb. In the most severe cases, if the infection occurs near the time of delivery, it can lead directly to the death of the baby. Is it safe to use herbal remedies during pregnancy? Some herbal agents can interfere with the development of the fetus, just like traditional medicines. In any case, you should consult a qualified herbalist before using any herbal medicine during pregnancy, remembering that herbal medicines are not subjected to the same rigorous clinical testing as conventional drugs. Just because a drug is “natural” does not mean it is harmless or automatically good for you.