frustration

[mamajoan]

I am confused and frustrated because I've been hearing very different things from different sources about what allergy medications are safe to take during pregnancy. My midwife when I called last week said that I could take Sudafed but that Benadryl was not safe. Yet, lots of other people are telling me the opposite -- including at least one person who says she she got it directly from her allergist. Would an allergist know better on this than a midwife? I don't know. I am conflicted.

I did some websurfing and found more conflicting info. Still, several sites seem to agree that Sudafed is Category C whereas Benadryl is Category B; Category A being the most safe, B slightly less safe, etc. (To be specific, Category B is either "studies on animals found risk but studies on humans found no risk" or "studies on animals found no risk and studies on humans haven't been done" whereas Category C is "there are no good studies on humans, and studies on animals have either found significant risk or not been done.")

I've only taken one dose of Sudafed, so I'm only very slightly concerned that I may have inflicted a horrible congenital defect on little Cosmo. But I would really like to KNOW before I take anything else. grump.

I know the most reasonable/logical thing to do would be to call the midwives again and ask for clarification, but I have that whole stupid phone phobia thing, so I have to work up the nerve first. *rubs nose frantically, sneezes ten times* On second thought, maybe not.

Comments

[thedivinegoat.livejournal.com]

Hale has references to pregnancy doesn't it? You could ask someone in breastfeeding to look it up for you.

Just got told today by one of the mums at Owen's school that her son has slapped cheek disease, which aparently is something pregnant Mums shouldn't be exposed to. Have to go and see the doctor tomorrow and find out whether it's something I need to be worried about.

Being pregnant's fun isn't it? ;-)

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

ooh, one of my friends' son had that when I was pg with Isaac. But we didn't worry about it since I never had contact with him. I hope it's no cause for concern for you!

[mishaslair.livejournal.com]

Could you use a nasal spray antihistimine? Would that be any safer than a pill?

[umbo.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that both sudafed and benadryl are relatively safe, as long as you make sure you drink enough to not get dehydrated. I would also recommend taking a lower dose (e.g. 30 mg of Sudafed or 25 of Benadryl instead of 60 or 50). It is *not* a good idea to take either while breastfeeding as both can severely diminish milk supply. Using a nasal steroid (not a nasal spray that dries you out, but an inhaled steroid) is probably the safest option, as there is very little crossing into the blood stream with inhaled steroids.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. I'm not really that concerned about diminishing milk supply, since I already have so little and pregnancy supposedly diminishes it too, and Isaac is apparently weaning now anyway. Can you get non-prescription nasal steroids? I'll try anything. ;)

[discreet.livejournal.com]

I didnt know you were pregant.

Congradulations!!!

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

lol ... I posted it a week or two ago, but you could easily have missed it. :) I think I just tossed it out there in the middle of a post since I had been posting so much about it in friends-lock.

[sydb42.livejournal.com]

When I was pregnant with Roo, I took Tylenol Allergy and Sinus when I got colds (which seemed like every other week). It has Sudafed and Tylenol in it. I took Sudafed some with Snoopy as well, but I don't remember being as sick (cold/allergy wise) with her, which works out since I had bad heartburn/acid reflux with her. I don't remember if Benadryl is safe for pregnancy, but Sudafed is what my doctor's office always recommended. I took Benadryl some right after Snoopy was born because I had a horrible rash on my abdomen and legs, but I didn't take much because I was afraid my milk would dry up.