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Be careful! The use of medications, whether for migraine relief or to treat chronic illness, should not be taken lightly. And this, even more so if you are planning a future pregnancy. Indeed, certain medications can have serious consequences, immediate or later, on your baby, such as malformations or cognitive disorders.
Pregnancy is getting ready!
Are you ready to have a child? Now is the time to tell your doctor or midwife about your pregnancy plan, especially if you are on chronic treatment. This consultation plays a key role! “This will be an opportunity to take stock of your state of health, on all the medications you take with or without a prescription, but also on your possible treatment and its compatibility with a pregnancy”, explains Dr. Christelle Ratignier-Carbonneil, Director General of ANSM. This is because some drugs can stay in the body for a very long time. If one of them poses a danger to the baby, it will be necessary to wait until it is properly eliminated.
The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM)
Medicines under close surveillance thanks to the ANSM
In France, the ANSM is the body that provides access to health products. It also ensures their safety throughout their life cycle. Experts, brought together in a dedicated unit, assess and monitor the risks associated with exposure to drugs during pregnancy, breastfeeding and even fertility. Their goal ? Make sure that drugs that can be taken by a pregnant woman do not pose any risk to her or to her unborn child. The ANSM ensures that everyone realizes that: “Pregnant, medication is not just any old thing! ”
www.medicamentsetgrossesse.fr
Zero self-medication
Do you ever take ibuprofen for pain or treat yourself with herbal products and essential oils? Review your reflexes! “For some drugs, a single intake can be dangerous,” warns Dr. Christelle Ratignier-Carbonneil. “This is the case with ibuprofen, which should not be taken during pregnancy,” she explains. For all medicines, including those from a prescription prior to pregnancy and which you store in your medicine cabinet, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Chronic illness? A medical opinion.
Have you just found out about your pregnancy? If you are chronically ill, turn to your doctor immediately and do not interrupt your medical treatment. He will work with you to assess the risks of stopping treatment and may change the prescribed doses or your treatment if necessary without endangering your health or that of your little one.
Pregnancy: let’s talk about it!
At the pharmacy, at the dentist, on a visit to the dermatologist … Whatever health professional you consult, always make sure to inform them of your pregnancy. The latter will thus be able to adapt your care and prescription of a long-term medication. And, if you find out about your pregnancy when the use of the drug has already started, you should also check with it that it is safe to use during pregnancy.