Study: Medication use during pregnancy becoming more common

According to research appearing in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology out of Boston University Schools of Public Health and Science, more than 80 percent of pregnant women were using at least one medication, either over-the-counter or prescription, by 2008.

Researchers, led by Dr. Allen A. Mitchell, also found that about 50 percent of pregnant women were taking some type of drug during the first trimester of their pregnancy. This data is alarming, as the risk of birth defects resulting from medication use is the most concerning at this stage of pregnancy.

The findings, which are based on data from two separate long-term studies on birth defects, also showed that about 30 percent of pregnant women were using some type of medication during the first trimester thirty years ago, suggesting a 20 percent increase over the past three decades.

The study is significant because in pregnant women, the safety of many drugs is unknown. Medication trials involving pregnant women are extremely rare because of the dangers of exposing pregnant women to medications that have unclear effects.

Often times, birth defects can be prevented, especially those caused by prescription medications administered during pregnancy. If your child was born with a birth defect that could have been prevented, or if your child was injured at birth, call or e-mail the medical malpractice lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos today. One of our experienced attorneys will evaluate your case for free. We have helped clients with Queens birth injury, Bronx birth injury, Brooklyn birth injury, Manhattan birth injury and Long Island birth injury matters.

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