Health Tips for November 30

Health Tip: Medications and Pregnancy

You may take certain over-the-counter supplements and medications without thinking twice. But when you're pregnant, even drugs that you can buy without a prescription can affect the developing fetus.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these safety guidelines about medications and pregnancy:

• Don't take any medicine or herbal supplement without checking with your doctor.
• Try not to take any medicine during your first trimester of pregnancy, when your baby is most likely to be affected.
• If you are having pain, acetaminophen is usually safe for pregnant women to take for a short period. But you should first check with your doctor.
• Don't take aspirin while you're pregnant.
• Don't take an NSAID -- such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve -- while you're pregnant, particularly during your third trimester.

Health Tip: Considering Home Birth?

Home birth is a safe option for many moms-to-be who want to deliver in the privacy and comfort of their home.

But for some women who are at risk of complications, a home birth may not be the safest option.

The American Pregnancy Association lists these factors for women who may be better off at a hospital when they deliver:

• Being diabetic.
• Having preeclampsia or chronic high blood pressure.
• Having had a prior preterm birth, or being at risk for preterm labor.