28
answers
V.B.
asks from
Whittier, CA
on
November 03, 2008
Question About Medication Taken During Pregnanvy
Hello Moms!
I am 12 weeks pregnant and this past weekend was so sick, I spoke to my OB and he said the only thing I could take was Robitussin. I waited as long as I could before I couldn't stand it any longer and broke down and took some( I felt like I was swallowing rocks!)
Before taking the medicine I couldn't swallow let alone eat so I knew I had to take something! The problem is after I started to feel better Sunday afternoon I realized that I hadn't felt the baby move since I started taking the medicine.
Is this just a weird coincidence or is it possible that the baby is drowsy from the medicine?
I am beating myself up for taking the medicine even though it was cleared by my OB! I am worried that it harmed the baby!
Am I just being paranoid or does anyone have any experience with this?
Featured Answers
J.V.
answers from
Santa Barbara
on
November 04, 2008
Try not to worry (easy for me to say, right). Since Robitussin is so mild, I doubt it had any negative effects.
K.R.
answers from
San Diego
on
November 04, 2008
On baby movement: You do not need to feel a baby moving until 28wk and it is uncommon to feel anything before about 18wk. 12 wk is basically impossible due to the size of the fetus.
On medication in pregnancy: We have to say that almost all are unsafe because none is tested in pregnant women. The only truly safe OTC med is tylenol. Even sudafed and other cold medications have been linked to some problems. It's also true that in studies OTC meds have not helped anyone get over a cold faster and the best treatments are safe in pregnancy - fluids, rest, chicken soup, etc.
You will be fine.
C.M.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
Hi V., this won't be a P.C. answer but this is my story. I threw up for 9 months with my first pregancy, had the flu twice and 5 colds. I also had a horrible hacking cough for the last five months that would make me throw up (like I needed any help with that). I have a high tolerance for pain meds so I occasionally take and keep a supply of hydracodon cough med. It is a very strong prescription cough med. I took it several times (without my doctor's OK) while I was pregnant just so I could sleep for a little while. My "baby boy" is now 12 years old, 5'9", size 13 men's shoe and gifted (also lazy, but he got that from me). Doctors always advise pregnant women to take the least amount of the mildest meds because there are no med studies done on pregnant women. Use moderation in all things and you and the baby will be fine.
More Answers
S.G.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
It is fine. Don't stress yourself out. Besides, most drugs that are harmful are harmful when taking in large doses or quite frequently. An occassional dose to keep you well is fine. It's a little early to feel the baby too. All will be fine.
S.H.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
Don't worry - if you are stressed, your baby knows it. If your OB okayed the medicine & dosage, then I am sure that is fine. I got a list of the drugs that were okay to take from my doctor, you might ask for a similar list. Pretty much typlanol is the only thing you can take. If you are concerned then you should stick to vitamins and healthy food to stay in good health.
D.M.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 03, 2008
V.,
Stop beating yourself up! I have terrible allergies and they were esepecially bad in my first trimester. As a result, I got a sinus infection and then awful cold/flu like symptoms. My OBGYN said it was okay to take Sudafed to ease up my symptoms, but she gave me a list of meds that in moderation were okay.
I had the same freak out, and went to my OBGYN. She did an ultrasound, and then explained to me that my baby would be moing and then not be moving and it was SO early in my pregnancy that the movement would not be a significant indication that there was something wrong.
Everything turned out okay for us, but I always follow the rule of thumb to follow my gut...so, I would call you OBGYn and voice your concerns.
Good Luck!
J.T.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
I'm surprised you can feel your baby move at 12 weeks. Don't use this alone as a gauge for your baby's health. Call your OB about your concerns. Throughout all my pregnancies I was sick and took medicine that was OB approved. There are also some teas out there that ease cold symptoms. Check with your OB first to make sure the herbs don't affect yours or your baby's health.
C.A.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
Do not worry-easier said than done. I had pneumonia during my 2nd pregnancy and took a few scrpts. and had to have xrays during my 3rd. the normal pregnancy was my 1st one, and he is a cancer survivor. So, I hope a little cough medicine wont make a difference.
W.S.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
I am surprised that you have even felt the baby move yet at all. 12 weeks is REALLY early to feel the baby! I would call the OB if you are that concerned because a mother's intuition is pretty strong and your OB might be able to calm your fears. Being stressed during pregnancy is not good for you or the baby!
God bless you~
J.S.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
Taking medicine that your Doctor said was ok, should be fine. I think if for any reason you don't feel the baby move. You should get checked to be safe.
K.R.
answers from
San Diego
on
November 04, 2008
On baby movement: You do not need to feel a baby moving until 28wk and it is uncommon to feel anything before about 18wk. 12 wk is basically impossible due to the size of the fetus.
On medication in pregnancy: We have to say that almost all are unsafe because none is tested in pregnant women. The only truly safe OTC med is tylenol. Even sudafed and other cold medications have been linked to some problems. It's also true that in studies OTC meds have not helped anyone get over a cold faster and the best treatments are safe in pregnancy - fluids, rest, chicken soup, etc.
You will be fine.
S.W.
answers from
Reno
on
November 04, 2008
I wouldn't worry. You usually can't feel the baby consistently until around 17/18 weeks anyways. I didn't feel my daugther consistently until around 20 weeks. I also used this website http://women.webmd.com/pregnancy-taking-medicine to check medications.
T.F.
answers from
San Diego
on
November 04, 2008
I had pnumonia from 18 weeks untill i gave birth> I had a z pac that fixed the infection but from that point on I had a caugh that was monitored until I gave birth. There was nothing I could do or take that would clear it up. I took mucinex and vicodine together as it was the same as cough suyrp on and off until my last two months to control the cough. The only reason I went off of it was because I did not want to give birth to a drugged baby. We were worried that I could go into labor and she would be sleepy. I did not do it often only when I would start coughing so hard that I would puke but still the concern on my part was there. My docs were not concerned at all. O chose to stop close to birth as I was supposed to be a bradley birth and a home birth and wanted the safest outcome for my daighter.
Do not stress about it.
I just wanted you to know that I did it for much longer than you did and everything is fine.
T.
J.V.
answers from
Santa Barbara
on
November 04, 2008
Try not to worry (easy for me to say, right). Since Robitussin is so mild, I doubt it had any negative effects.
K.K.
answers from
Boise
on
November 04, 2008
V.,
You are perfectly fine. If you ever have any doubts on what is safe to take when pregnant, WebMD has a good list on their website. Also, I'm surprised you're already feeling the baby at 12 weeks. Don't stress about how much you're feeling the baby until around 25 weeks. That's when they start having you count kicks. Congratulations!
S.W.
answers from
San Diego
on
November 04, 2008
Hi V.,
It IS scary, and I hope you and your baby are feeling better. I had the same experience many years ago (after a bad cough from the 1996 Elfin Forest Fires in SD). You can contact the Teratogen Registry at UCSD. It is a research based group that tracks the interaction of drugs and pregnancy (usually the big drugs, prescription or illegal). They will have info on cough medicine. You will likely feel reassured that all is well, esp. since you were under the care of an OB-GYN. Be well!
S.
K.H.
answers from
San Diego
on
November 04, 2008
Hi V., I'm a mom of 3 kids, and your OB was correct, Robitussin is safe to take during pregnancy, so is plain sudafed. I have taken both of these with all three pregnancys. Hope this helps you, don't feel guilty about taken the cough syrup...
J.D.
answers from
Reno
on
November 04, 2008
Twelve weeks is awfully early to be feeling movement. I think you might be experiencing some parnoia. Call your doctor if you're really worried, though.
T.M.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
call your doctor, if you have not felt the baby move, call your doctor, mama source is not a doctors advice place,
C.M.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
Hi V., this won't be a P.C. answer but this is my story. I threw up for 9 months with my first pregancy, had the flu twice and 5 colds. I also had a horrible hacking cough for the last five months that would make me throw up (like I needed any help with that). I have a high tolerance for pain meds so I occasionally take and keep a supply of hydracodon cough med. It is a very strong prescription cough med. I took it several times (without my doctor's OK) while I was pregnant just so I could sleep for a little while. My "baby boy" is now 12 years old, 5'9", size 13 men's shoe and gifted (also lazy, but he got that from me). Doctors always advise pregnant women to take the least amount of the mildest meds because there are no med studies done on pregnant women. Use moderation in all things and you and the baby will be fine.
S.C.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
You are only 12 weeks along... Most babies can't be felt until 20 weeks. What you were feeling that you wer the baby was probably just gas. Maybe your gas is gone. Call your OB but i am sure it is fine.
L.I.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
By the time you are getting this response you have felt the baby move again, I'll bet on it. Your womb is very much a protective environment, even though some medicines and substances do get through, if your doc says it's ok then don't worry, it's ok. If you really want to settle your mind just google "robitussin during early pregnancy" and you'll get the scoop. My doc prescribed a somewhat dangerous drug to me around 12 weeks pregnant and we were ok, my baby is healthy. He said there is a time (at 12 weeks) when the baby is developed enough that developmental harm would not happen so it was safe for me. I would think robitussin would not cause developmental harm, I can't imagine it causing any harm - it's only for sore throats, right?
M.S.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
Don't beat yourself up. It is better than you don't get any sicker and have to take more serious medication. I made that error during my third pregnancy. I didn't take any cold medication and ended up with pneumonia for which I then had to take 4 different medications for. Even after taking antibiotics, breathing inhaler, etc., my son is a healthy and happy 15 month old. Take care of yourself! Your baby needs YOU to be healthy.
K.Y.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
First, take a deep breath. Getting stressed out about this is not going to help the baby. Second, your doctor wouldn't prescribe anything to you that wasn't okay for the baby. I've taken both over the counter meds (Tylenol) and antibiotics while both pregnant and breastfeeding. (I had chickenpox in my first trimester.) Third, I'm doubtful that the "movements" you are feeling is actually the baby. I believe that you start feeling the baby around 20-24 weeks. Finally, if you're really worried then call your doctor and tell them your concerns. They'll let you know what you really should be worried about and what is being an anxious pregnant Mommy. I called mine many, many times! Congratulations on your pregnancy!
T.N.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
I was sick with a horrible cold for a couple of weeks in the first part of my pregnancy (actually both pregnancies) I am sure your baby is fine! You need to take care of you so your body can take care of your baby! There are things you can do that are non-medicinal to help with your cold. A cup of warm chicken or beef broth or veggie broth if you are vegetarian, a humidifier or vaporizer in your room, gargle with salt water(sounds weird but it helps with the sore throat, saline nose spray (non medicated) like oceanmist helps with a stuffy nose, and of course lots of liquids. Good luck and take care
A.N.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
It's okay to take it I promise! I totally felt the same way as you when I got sick while being prego. I took Robitussin like my Dr reccomended and I still had a pefectly healthy baby boy :) It's normal to be concerned about it, welcome to motherhood!
M.L.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
First I'd like to say congratulations on your pregnancy and secondly ask "had you really felt the baby move already although only 12 weeks pregnant?" It is quite unusual to feel fetal movement at this gestational age. I say this to try to reasure your decision to take the Robitussin and not to patronise you. If in doubt, you can always see your OB and ask for an ultrasound for reassurance to 'see' cardiac movement.
J.S.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 03, 2008
If you are concerned, call your OB. However, the baby is effected by what mom ingests, so chances are it's just snoozing. If you have something really sugary it will get the baby moving.
S.R.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
V.,
sorry you're sick! I caught a cold while I was pregnant and was home sick for a week - it was miserable!
I think that as long as your OB clears you for taking a drug, you're okay to take it. Just take as little as you can.
E.Z.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
November 04, 2008
V.,
If you have problems swallowing, you could have strep throat, and should be checked right away.
It is much better to take care of an infection right away, than to drag it out, and you might get sicker.
You can go to your regular Family doctor for this too, they also know what medicines are ok during a pregnancy.
But if you are worried about the baby, go in to your OB and request an ultrasound. It's most likely fine, like others have said, it's quite early yet to feel the baby, but just to keep yourself sane, it can't hurt to check it out!
E.
M.A.
answers from
Atlanta
on
November 04, 2008
Hi V.,
Its too early to start worring about a baby's movement. Normally at 12 weeks the fetus is so so small that what you were feeling were flutters from the amniotic fluids and not the baby moving, and any medication you take now unless something really harsh shouldnt affect the baby in any way and especially if your doctor gives you the okay. I believe your fine. Baby's at this stage are not moving like you think in the first place and its just the fluids in your stomach.
Good luck
M. Azu