What's Safe, What's Not

Antihistamines like Benadryl used for allergies are safe for use during pregnancy, as are most cold remedies except decongestants, which can cause high blood pressure and uterine contractions.

It’s best to carefully read labels before taking anything, however, and focus on treating only what you have symptoms of. Aspirin can impact blood clotting in the fetus, which is a concern during delivery. Instead, take Tylenol, ibuprofen, or other over-the-counter medications in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory family for pain relief. Taking limited qualities of these is okay, according to Towers. If used continuously, however, they can decrease the amount of amniotic fluid and affect your baby’s kidneys.

If you take prescription medication regularly, you should talk to your doctor about how these drugs may affect your baby or pregnancy.

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