Medications

It can be hard to determine which medications you can take during pregnancy and which ones
you should avoid. You’ll have to weigh the benefits to your health against potential risks to the
developing baby.

Ask your healthcare provider about any drugs you may take, even OTC ones for minor ailments
such as headaches.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted SourceTrusted Source, each year
50 percent of pregnant women in the United States report taking at least one medication.

In the 1970s, the FDA created a letter systemTrusted SourceTrusted Source to categorize
drugs and their perceived risk to pregnant women. However, they began to phase out this letter
system (and use updated drug labeling) in 2015. Their new rules for drug labelingTrusted
SourceTrusted Source only apply to prescription drugs.

The service MotherToBaby also provides up-to-date information on the safety of specific drugs.

The bottom line

Learning or relearning all the rules of pregnancy can be overwhelming, especially if you’re
having your first child. Feel more prepared with this handy list of pregnancy do’s and don’ts.

The takeaway

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all health insurance plans in the United States are
required to offer some level of prenatal care.
Once your pregnancy’s been confirmed, call your insurance provider to get an idea of what’s
covered by your specific plan. If you don’t have health insurance when you find out you’re
pregnant, speak to your doctor about steps you can take to get coverage.

The timing of your first prenatal visit may depend on your overall health. Most women may have
their first visit during week 8 of pregnancy. Women whose pregnancies are considered high-risk,
such as those who are over 35 or have chronic conditions, may be asked to see their doctors
earlier.