During pregnancy, the mother-to-be has to take care of everything she consumes, as some of these can harm the mother or the child. While obstetricians may do their best to inform pregnant women about the changes they need to make in their diet, it is not possible for them to single out everything that women should have or avoid during pregnancy.
Besides food , taking care of the medication you take during pregnancy is also crucial. Benadryl, a brand name for an antihistamine called diphenhydramine, is something that most of us first turn to for treating minor cold or symptoms of flu. However, is it safe for a pregnant woman to take Benadryl? Below is the answer you are looking for.
Can A Pregnant Woman Take Benadryl?
Though Benadryl is an over-the-counter drug, which you can buy from any pharmacy without needing a prescription, and most of us take it without consulting your doctor first, pregnant women are advised to talk to their doctors first before using it. Let your obstetrician tell you the potential risks before you do something.
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What Are The Risks Of Taking Benadryl During Pregnancy?
By consuming Benadryl during pregnancy, the first risk you assume is feeling drowsy, which is not that dangerous. It has been observed that Benadryl combined with Restoril (temazepam) increases the possibility of fetal morbidity. Some studies have also suggested a connection between diphenhydramine usage in the first trimester and increased chances of a cleft lip or palate in the child.
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How Much Benadryl Can You Take During Pregnancy?
An oral dosage of 25 mg to 50 mg every six hours is what most doctors recommend to pregnant women in their first trimester, whereas, after the first trimester, the dosage and the frequency are usually lowered. The duration of the pregnancy is a crucial thing to consider. You should avoid any consumption of diphenhydramine later in the pregnancy, especially in the third pregnancy, since any exposure to it can lead to adverse situations like neonates and premature birth.
Can A Pregnant Woman Take Benadryl Cream?
Since there has been zero evidence that the use of tropical Benadryl can cause harm to the fetus, it is considered safe to use during pregnancy. However, the data regarding diphenhydramine ointment crossing the placenta is inadequate, so expert medical advice is recommended to assess the risks related to it.
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Can You Consume Benadryl While Breastfeeding?
The occasional use of Benadryl while breastfeeding has not been observed to have any adverse effects on the baby and the mother. However, excessive or prolonged use of it is related to it getting excreted into the breast milk. Also, long term or large doses of the medication can also lower the breast milk production in the body, and cause irritability and other adverse effects in the infant.
This is everything you need to know regarding the consumption of Benadryl during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is now time for you to tell us what you think about the post. If you have any advice for pregnant women, share it using the comment box below.
(Featured Image Courtesy: Hill Crest Hospital)
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