Check with your GP, midwife or a pharmacist before taking any medicine if you are pregnant.
Most medicines can pass through your placenta (afterbirth) to your baby.
It is normal to think about the effect that this may have on your baby.
Your GP, pharmacist or midwife can answer any questions you have.
Follow your GP's advice
Many women take medicines to stay healthy during pregnancy. This could be for a condition they had before or for one that develops during pregnancy.
Your GP or midwife will advise you on what is best for you and your baby.
Always get information on taking medicine during pregnancy from a reliable source, such as:
- a GP
- midwife
- pharmacist
- the HSE medicines A to Z
Beware of incorrect information online and elsewhere about taking medicines during pregnancy.
Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine
Stopping prescription medicine suddenly without getting advice from your GP, could be harmful for you or your baby.
Your GP can advise you on the risks and benefits of taking medicine while pregnant.
If you are planning a pregnancy
Contact your GP if you are taking medicine and you are planning to get pregnant.
You and your GP can plan how to manage your health and your medicine during and after your pregnancy.
If you become pregnant before you get a chance to talk to your GP, talk to them as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. They will advise you on what is best for you.
Do not stop taking your medicine suddenly, unless your GP tells you to.
Check before taking new medicines
Tell doctors, dentists and pharmacists that you are pregnant before accepting a prescription, an injection or a medicine from them.
Your pregnancy might seem obvious to you, but it might not to them.
Check it’s safe before taking:
- prescribed medicine
- over-the-counter medicine (medicines you bought without a prescription)
- herbal or homeopathic medicine
- aromatherapy remedies
Take folic acid
Take folic acid if you are pregnant or thinking of trying for a baby.
Folic acid helps your baby’s spine and brain to develop.
Talk to your GP about how much folic acid you should take.
You may need a higher dose of folic acid if:
- you have epilepsy
- you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- you have a neural tube defect, for example spina bifida or hydrocephalus
- your family has a history of neural tube defects
- the baby's father's family has a history of neural tube defects
- you have a higher weight for your height
- you are on certain medicines - for example, medicine for epilepsy, HIV or diabetes
