Pregnancy | InfantRisk Center

Articles and content related to pregnancy.

Managing Blood Sugar in Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings remarkable changes to your body, but these shifts can also increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, a condition that can affect both you and your baby. Understanding how ...

Management of Cold and Flu During Pregnancy

Pregnancy

In this article you will find the most commonly questioned cold and flu medications and supplements for use during pregnancy along with safety data.

Migraine Management in Pregnancy (A quick reference)

Pregnancy

Migraines are very common in women of childbearing ages and can range from mild to debilitating. Many women feel that if they become pregnant or decide to breastfeed, that their options will be limite...

Pregnant woman holding small basket of eggs

Choline During Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy Breastfeeding Nutrition

Choline has become a “hot topic” for nutrition in pregnancy. Data suggests that most pregnant women in the U.S. don't get enough. Are you getting enough?

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

If you're a mom addicted to opioids during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, there are treatments available to help you reach recovery and protect your baby!

Our Statement on Monkeypox: Infection, Vaccines, and Treatment for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Monkeypox is an infection that requires special consideration during pregnancy and breastfeeding: it is expected to transfer into breastmilk, and fetal infections have been reported (vertical transmis...

Pregnant woman standing in front of windows

Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy

Pregnancy

It is common for pregnant women to want to put their baby’s health before their own, but in the case of depression lack of treatment can also pose risks. The benefits of treating depression often outw...

Fad Diets During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Nutrition

It seems there is always a new diet that becomes “trendy” or popular in the media, many of which tout “healthier” or “clean” eating. It is important to consider that such diets may have negative effec...

Neonatal Vitamin K Refusal Increasing

Pregnancy Breastfeeding Nutrition

Vitamin K is an essential intervention recommended for all newborns to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), and has been part of newborn care since 1961. Unfortunately, parental refusal of ne...

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding may Lower Risk of Early Menopause

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

More research is being done on prevention of early menopause and a study recently published in JAMA found that pregnancy and breastfeeding may decrease risk of early menopause.

Is Ketamine Safe to Use for Depression During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy

The fast-acting nasal spray esketamine, marketed as SpravatoTM, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression in individuals whose depression has been resistant t...

New Study Suggests antidepressants used during pregnancy pose no harm to infant’s brain

Pregnancy

A large European study below, further supports our suggestions for some years that the use of antidepressants during pregnancy does not harm the infant’s intellectual capacity later on.

Kratom

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Kratom was on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) list of drugs of concern since 20051 and was almost reclassified as a Schedule I drug in 2016. The reclassification was eventually put on hold du...

Seafood Consumption During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

The benefits of fish and shellfish, collectively termed “seafood” as part of a balanced, healthy diet have been described. Seafood is low in saturated fat and a good source of high-quality protein and...

Zika Virus Update

Pregnancy

At present there is enormous concern about the birth defects believed associated with infections for an old virus called Zika during pregnancy. Information concerning the Zika Virus and its implicatio...

Prenatal Vitamins

Pregnancy

During pregnancy there is an increased demand for certain vitamins and nutrients to ensure proper and adequate growth of the fetus. Prenatal vitamins generally contain higher levels of folic acid, iro...

Influenza Virus in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. It is especially risky in pregnant women and increases the risk of premature delivery, abortion, and stillbirth. Pregnant women are a...

Insect Repellent Usage

Pregnancy

Many women are concerned about using insect repellents during pregnancy, however, mosquito borne illnesses can be dangerous during pregnancy. Two examples of mosquito transmitted illnesses are malaria...

Effects of Marijuana on the Fetus and Breastfeeding Infants.

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Current studies indicate that approximately 4% of women in the USA use illicit drugs while pregnant. Seventy five percent of these cases report the use of marijuana. Despite the widespread use of this...

Migraine Headaches

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Migraines frequently affect women during their childbearing years. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, women need to be cautious about the medications they are using to treat their migraines. A variet...

Head Lice

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Head lice or Pediculus humanus capitis, attack as many as 12 million children every year. Lice are spread by direct contact with infested hair. Sharing combs, brushes, beds, and hats may also contribu...

Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) also known as “morning sickness” is one of the most common conditions of pregnancy that affect approximately 80% of pregnant women. Although the cause is still ...

New FDA Guidelines for Valproate Use in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) recently announced changes in the Pregnancy category for valproate. Valproate products include valproate sodium (Depacon), valproic acid (Depakene and Stavz...

An Overview of the Safety of Skin Care Products During Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnancy leads to a range of skin changes among women. Some women experience no skin changes while others can experience severe acne, discoloration, or pigmentation. Acne is a common concern among pr...

Insect Bites and Repellent Sprays for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy

Insect bites are certainly annoying, but they can also transmit disease. In the USA alone,  insect bites can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, chikungunya, and dengue fever to ...

Folic Acid: An Overview of Metabolism, Dosages, and Benefits of Optimal Periconception Supplementation

Pregnancy

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that takes part in several critical functions in the human body. The active form of folate is tetrahydrofolic acid. It serves in o...

Tobacco Use

Pregnancy

Tobacco use during pregnancy is the most important modifiable risk factor associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research has shown that smoking during pregnancy causes many health problems for b...

Psychiatric Conditions Surrounding Pregnancy

Pregnancy

For most women, pregnancy is generally considered a period of emotional well-being for the woman and her family. However, many women suffer from an increased vulnerability to psychiatric conditions du...

Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as the state of carbohydrate (glucose) intolerance that has its onset or first recognition during late pregnancy and has many similarities to non-insulin...

HYPOthyroidism and Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Thyroid diseases are among the most common endocrine disorders encountered during pregnancy. An overall incidence including overt and subclinical hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) during pregnancy ...

HYPERthyroidism in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Thyroid diseases are among the most common endocrine disorders encountered during pregnancy. The prevalence of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) during pregnancy ranges from 0.05 to 0.2%. The most ...

Depression in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Clinical depression is more than just sadness. Although there are clear patterns, the symptoms can be very different from person to person. The most common symptom is called “anhedonia,” or no longer ...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term encompassing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These two syndromes of chronic inflammation commonly affect women of childbearing age. About 1...

Over-The-Counter Treatments for GI Complaints

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

A typical pharmacy has shelf after shelf of medicines that can be sold without a doctor's prescription. These are called over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Many concerned mothers wonder about the safety of...

Over-The-Counter Treatments for Cough and Cold

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Over-The-Counter Treatments for Skin Problems

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Skin Care for Acne

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Adult acne during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a common problem. Under these circumstances, the adrenal glands secrete higher levels of androgen hormones that cause the sebaceous glands in the skin ...

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Gastroesophageal reflux is a back flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. This phenomenon occurs in virtually everyone from time to time. The sphincter muscle that divides the esophagus from the ...

Addiction and Substance Abuse

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

The evolution of the human brain is a relatively recent occurrence in the world. There are “reward circuits” in the brain, specifically dopaminergic pathways in the mesolimbic system, that provide pos...

Caffeine Intake in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Caffeine is the most commonly consumed drug in the world. It occurs naturally in many plants and is chemically added to a wide variety of products. Most coffees, sodas, teas, and chocolates, as well a...

Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure Unlikely to Harm Pregnant Women

Pregnancy

Cellular phones, cordless phones, and Wi-Fi hubs all communicate using radiofrequency (RF) radiation in the 3 KHz to 300 GHz range. This type of radiation is much less powerful than the radiation foun...

Poisonous Protein: Breastfeeding and Pregnancy with PKU

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder in which an affected person is less able to process the amino acid phenylalanine. Abnormally high levels of phenylalanine in the blood and tiss...

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Many women choose to consume alcohol during their reproductive years. For most people, alcohol consumption in moderation is not harmful but for a fetus, alcohol exposure can be devastating. The office...

Asthma Medications in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Asthma is a common chronic airway disorder characterized by periods of reversible airflow obstruction known as asthma attacks. One in 12 people (about 25 million, or 8% of the U.S. population) had ast...

Maternal Probiotic Use during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding May Reduce the Risk of Eczema

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

A recent study has suggested that use of probiotics in pregnancy and breastfeeding may reduce the risk of eczema in infants. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the term broadly applied to a ...

Potassium Iodide for Radiation Exposure

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Potassium iodide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) in 1982 for thyroid protection from radioactive iodine accidents. Of the many radioactive elements released by nuclear accidents...

Influenza Season Recommendations for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Breastfeeding

There has recently been a lot of discussion in the news about the potential hazards of taking antidepressants while pregnant. Some researchers are concerned that they increase the risk of birth defect...

Bisphenol A Effects in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical commonly found in mass-produced plastics. Recently, there is rising concern over whether or not BPA found in plastic may lead to untoward effects. Due to the prevalence...

Myasthenia Gravis in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that can cause weakness and fatigability. It is caused by antibodies that block the acetylcholine receptors at the post-synaptic junction. Its...

Dental Care in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Dental care is extremely important during pregnancy. Pregnant women have elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause the gums to be more sensitive to the bacteria that is found ...

Radiological Procedures in Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Although most radiological procedures do not increase the risk of congenital malformations during pregnancy, any procedure that is not essential during pregnancy should be delayed until after delivery...

Cocaine Usage

Pregnancy

Cocaine is a local anesthetic as well as a CNS stimulant. It can either be inhaled or in the case of crack, smoked. Use of cocaine during pregnancy is associated with premature birth, IUGR, placental ...

Malaria

Pregnancy

Although malaria is not endemic to the US, many US travelers are affected by this illness when traveling to places such as sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America. Malaria has been shown to c...

Rubella and Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Rubella, also known as the German Measles, is a viral illness. If the infection occurs during pregnancy, it can result in what is known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Women in their first trime...

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