Episode 185 Medicines In Pregnancy

We talk frankly about why medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding feel frightening, even though most women take something during pregnancy and many treatments are genuinely safe. We break down why the evidence is often patchy, how to think about benefit versus risk, and where to find clear information you can trust.

• British Pharmacological Society statement and the scale of medicine use in pregnancy
• why pregnant and breastfeeding women are often excluded from trials
• how the BNF language can feel alarming and unhelpful
• benefit versus risk and why untreated illness can be the bigger danger
• common prescriptions in pregnancy such as antibiotics for UTIs, anti sickness drugs and reflux medicines
• how pregnancy physiology can change dosing and drug clearance
• women’s anxiety when advice is unclear or conflicting
• practical resources: BUMPS for patients and UKTIS for health professionals
• why considering research participation can improve care for future women

Want to know more:

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/

https://uktis.org/

https://www.bps.ac.uk/fileadmin/uploads/bps/Policy_statements/BPS_Position_Statement-_Medications_in_Pregnancy_and_Breastfeeding__1_.pdf

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/2/e004365

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Thank you all for listening, My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.
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