Pregnancy Safety
This vitamin helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects during pregnancy.
This medication is used to induce or augment labor and may also be used for postpartum hemorrhage.
Oxytocin
These medications are used to slow or temporarily stop uterine contractions in preterm labor.
These medications are given during preterm labor to accelerate fetal lung maturity.
Antenatal corticosteroids
This medication is used in preeclampsia to prevent seizures, not primarily to lower blood pressure.
Magnesium sulfate
This mineral is often included in prenatal vitamins to support increased maternal blood volume and prevent anemia.
Iron
This dangerous pattern means uterine contractions are occurring too frequently.
Uterine tachysystole
This calcium channel blocker may be used as a tocolytic and requires blood pressure monitoring.
Nifedipine
These are two common antenatal corticosteroids used in preterm labor.
Betamethasone and Dexamethasone
These are three medications commonly used for severe hypertension during pregnancy.
Labetalol, hydralazine, and nifedipine
This substance has no known safe amount during pregnancy and can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Alcohol
These medications are used for cervical ripening and labor induction.
Prostaglandins
This NSAID-like medication decreases prostaglandin activity to reduce uterine contractions.
Indomethacin
This neonatal respiratory problem may be reduced by giving antenatal corticosteroids before preterm birth.
Respiratory distress syndrome
This blood pressure medication should be used cautiously in patients with asthma, bradycardia, heart block, or heart failure.
Labetalol
These products may seem safe because they are “natural,” but pregnant patients should check with their provider before using them.
Herbal supplements or herbal teas
These two prostaglandin medications may be used for cervical ripening or induction.
Dinoprostone and Misoprostol
This beta-adrenergic medication may relax uterine smooth muscle but can cause tachycardia, tremors, and palpitations.
Terbutaline
This medication may be used for fetal neuroprotection when very preterm birth is expected.
Magnesium sulfate
This type of labor pain control enters the maternal bloodstream and may affect the newborn if given close to birth.
Systemic analgesia
This clinical idea means the nurse must consider both the pregnant patient and the fetus when giving medications.
Maternal-fetal risk-benefit thinking
This postpartum hemorrhage medication should generally be avoided in patients with hypertension or preeclampsia.
Methylergonovine
This is the main reason tocolytics are often used: to delay birth long enough for steroids, transfer, or fetal benefit.
Buying time
These three findings may indicate magnesium toxicity.
Respiratory depression, decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes, and decreased urine output
This type of labor pain control includes epidural and spinal anesthesia and requires close monitoring for hypotension.
Regional anesthesia