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Why should medications be reviewed by a health-care provider during pregnancy?

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Close-up of a home pregnancy test device showing a blue plus sign in the result window, indicating a positive result for pregnancy. — pregnancy Devices for individual use at home detect pregnancy by measuring levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine.

It is essential to have all medications reviewed by a health-care provider during pregnancy because most drugs administered to a mother can pass through the placenta and potentially cause adverse effects on the fetus.1

Because the placenta serves as the primary connection for fetal nourishment, substances ingested by the mother—including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, anesthetics, analgesics, sedatives, and antibiotics—may reach the developing fetus and interfere with its growth or development. Historical evidence, such as the devastating impact of thalidomide in the 1960s, underscores the critical importance of evaluating the safety of any drug therapy before it is used during pregnancy.12

Ethically, prioritizing the health and safety of both the mother and the developing child is paramount. Therefore, you should never assume a medication is harmless; consulting a health-care provider ensures that any necessary treatment is balanced against potential risks to the fetus.12