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Medications and vaccines

Always tell your physician if you are planning a pregnancy, so that your medication can be planned to be as safe as possible for the fetus even before you actually become pregnant.

Lääkepurkki naisen kädessä

Vaccines

Pregnant women are vaccinated when they are at high risk of being exposed to the disease, when an infection would be harmful for the mother or the fetus, and when the vaccine in itself will probably not cause harm. Inactive vaccines do not contain live pathogens and are thus safe to administer during pregnancy. Please take any vaccinations you may need for travel when you are only just planning your pregnancy.





Antibiotics

Most antibiotics can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although most antibiotics are excreted in breast milk only in minute quantities, the infant may sometimes experience bowel symptoms if the mother is on antibiotics.









Epilepsy medications

Please always inform your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy while on epilepsy medication. Some epilepsy medications are harmful to fetal development, and your medication should be planned to be as safe as possible well in advance, when you are planning your pregnancy.











Insect repellents

Insect repellents contain chemicals that drive insects away. These substances can be applied to clothing, to the skin or to mosquito nets. Electric repelling devices also contain chemicals.




Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a medication used to treat severe acne. Using it during early pregnancy significantly elevates the risk of severe birth defects in the heart and the central nervous system.



Topical treatment of acne

Acne medication by mouth (isotretinoin) is absolutely prohibited during pregnancy. Please stop using such medication well in advance before your pregnancy.



Misoprostol

Misoprostol is used to treat stomach ulcers and also for drug-induced termination of pregnancies. Please do not take misoprostol during pregnancy. 


Painkillers

The primary medication for pain and fever relief during pregnancy is paracetamol.





Mood stabilizers

Remember to tell your physician if you are planning a pregnancy while taking a mood stabilizer, because some medications used for this purpose may be harmful to fetal development (e.g. valproate use is not permissible).





Warfarin

Warfarin is used as a blood thinner, to prevent and treat blood clots in veins.


Medication applied to the skin or eyes

With topical medication (skin creams, eyedrops, etc.), drug levels absorbed into the body are generally lower than if the medication is administered orally.


Sex hormones





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