Legal Drugs
Some legal drugs can be very harmful to an unborn child. You should have your doctor’s approval before taking any of these drugs while you’re pregnant:
Asprin
Benefits of Aspirin:
- Reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes
- If taken during a heart attack, increases chances of survival
- Can prevent heart disease
- Recently linked to the prevention of colon, esophagus, stomach and rectum cancer
Aspirin Risks
- Taking more than a recommended dose can make your blood dangerously thin.
- Aspirin can cause your stomach to bleed or damage stomach lining.
- On rare occasions, Aspirin has been found to cause a blood vessel in the brain to break, triggering a stroke.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a chemical agent and stimulant that your bloodstream absorbs when you eat or drink foods with caffeine. This results in an increased heart rate and heightened alertness.
Caffeine is found in:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Carbonated Sodas
- Chocolate and chocolate products (sauces, syrups, chips, candy, sprinkles, etc.)
Although Caffeine is a common drug, it should be consumed with care as it can:
- Cause your blood pressure to rise (though usually only temporarily)
- Lower bone mineral density in women
- Make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep
- Become addictive
Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are medicines prescribed by a doctor to treat a specific health issue for a specific amount of time. They have many benefits, like:
- Pain relief
- Making complex surgeries possible
- Enabling people with chronic health problems to lead normal lives
Although prescription drugs are legal, safe and helpful, using them in any way other than as directed by a doctor is considered drug abuse and can be dangerous or even fatal.
If you become pregnant while taking a prescription drug, you should stop taking that drug unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
