Is it safe to take sleeping pills during pregnancy?.

Although it is better not to take prescription sleeping pills regularly when you are pregnant (especially in the first and third trimesters), the rare use of certain sleep medications is considered safe.

Caution: if you are taking diphenhydramine, do not take it with diazepam. The combination of these drugs is associated with stillbirth, so you need to wait until your body is completely cleansed of the first drug before taking another.

If you suffer from severe insomnia, your doctor may recommend that you take your prescription medicine. Together with the doctor, weigh all the risks and benefits by determining the dosage for your specific case.

In a study conducted in 2015, it was shown that two types of hypnotics - benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines - could increase the risk of premature birth, contribute to a low birth weight and delivery through caesarean section. Studies have also confirmed the likelihood that the use of these drugs during pregnancy can cause breathing problems in newborns.

"Try to avoid taking prescription sleeping pills on late pregnancy - this can lead to problems with breathing and muscle tone in infants exposed to these drugs," says Amanda Dempsey, MD in Michigan. Keep in mind that taking a more recommended dose of any sleep medication can harm you and your developing baby. For example, high doses of diphenhydramine cause uterine contractions, which can lead to its rupture or placental abruption.

Is it safe to take medicinal herbs to treat sleep during pregnancy and lactation?.

Experts do not advise taking herbs without prescribing a doctor during pregnancy and lactation. There are dozens of herbal products that (as they say) help you sleep better at night, but the safety of most of these herbs has not been studied by medicine.

It is easy to assume that herbs are safe to use because they are "natural". But herbs can be as powerful as some prescription drugs, and some of the herbs are even potentially toxic. Remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the safety and efficacy of herbal products!.

Only very few natural sleep remedies can be considered relatively safe during pregnancy and lactation: ginseng, honey, nutmeg and oat. But very little truthful information is available even for them.

Herbs that you definitely should not use during pregnancy and lactation, because they can be dangerous for you and your baby:.

• alfalfa • klopogon kistovidny • blue koosh • comfrey • ephedra (conifers) • European mistletoe • goldsil • hibiscus • common sundae • kava-kava (pepper intoxicating) • tsimbopogon • licorice root • wormwood • nettle leaves • passiflora (passion flower) • marsh marsh • rosemary • sage • sassafras • grass-saw • yarrow ordinary • vetiver • yerba mate If you decide to take herbal remedies, check with your doctor before taking anything, alone or in combination with other herbs or drugs. This precaution applies to herbal tea.

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