Pregnancy is a wonderful time of life for parents. Seeking early prenatal care with an OB/GYN physician is important to keep the mom and baby safe during pregnancy.
One of the important safety considerations during prenatal care is for the doctor to obtain a complete list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements that the mom is taking.
Some medications and supplements are safe to take during pregnancy. Others aren’t and can cause birth defects, brain injuries, or other serious medical conditions. That’s why the standard of care requires OB/GYN doctors to:
• Be careful to obtain and document the patient’s medication list at the first prenatal visit
• Update the medication list at every prenatal appointment
• Spend time educating pregnant moms about the importance of not taking any new medication or supplement without getting clearance from the OB/GYN
Despite the well-known fact that certain medications and supplements can be harmful to unborn babies, it’s not uncommon for some providers to prescribe dangerous drugs. These include medications such as:
• Anti-depressants, such as Prozac or Paxil
• The acne prescription drug Accutane
• Narcotic painkillers including morphine, hydrocodone, and codeine
• Some migraine headache medications
• Some anti-hypertension drugs
• Anti-coagulant medications such as Warfarin
Any time an expecting mother sees a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner during pregnancy, it’s crucial to speak up and make sure that they know about the pregnancy. If a provider writes a prescription for a new medication, ask if it’s safe to take while pregnant. It’s a good idea to ask the same thing when filling a prescription at a pharmacy.
If you believe that your baby has been seriously injured because of a medication error during pregnancy, then contact a top-rated experienced Houston, Texas medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your potential case.
