Medications

When planning a pregnancy or if you are pregnant, it is very important to discuss any medications you are currently taking with your healthcare provider. This includes all over-the-counter, prescription, and herbal medications. Some medications are safe to take and others may pose a risk to your developing baby. Here are some useful resources to help in your decision-making.

Motherisk helpline is no longer able to offer their phone counseling service.

General Information About Taking Medications in Pregnancy

• My Health Alberta: Medications during pregnancy
• Pregnancy Info - Medication and drugs while breastfeeding
• Government of Canada - Labelling update regarding the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy and risk of kidney damage to unborn babies
• Drugs | The MotHERS Program™ - Drugs - What's Safe, What's Not
• Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - Medication and Drugs Before and During Pregnancy

Taking Antidepressant Medications during Pregnancy

• Healthy Lifestyle - Antidepressants: Safe during pregnancy?

Women’s College Hospital, in collaboration with researchers across Canada, has created an online patient decision aid (PDA) that has the potential to improve the decision-making process for women regarding antidepressant use in pregnancy. The PDA is currently being evaluated in a research study. All aspects of the study are conducted online and over the phone, making it accessible to women all across Canada.

Eligibility

Women may be eligible to participate in the online PDA research study if they are:

1. Canadian residents ≥ 18 years of age
2. Are in the first trimester of pregnancy or planning a pregnancy within 1 year
3. Have been offered to start or continue using an antidepressant to treat depression
4. Are having trouble deciding what to do

Visit the Women's Research website for more information.