- Medications are classified according to how safe they are for use during pregnancy. Class A medications are considered 100 percent safe during pregnancy, but very few get this rating. Prenatal vitamins are one of the few. Category B medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy based on studies in animals, although extensive human testing has not been done. Category B medications for allergies include Benadryl, Claritan and Zyrtec are all category B allergy medications that most doctors agree are safe to take during pregnancy.
- Category C medications are not considered as safe as Category B medications. Although there are usually no known risks associated with the medications, there are not enough studies to confirm that these medications are without risk to the fetus. Category C allergy medications include Sudafed and Chlorpheniramine. These should only be taken under a doctor's guidance and if Category B medications are not helping. Caution should always be taken when using any Category C medication while pregnant.
- A pregnant woman should try to avoid using any type of medication during the first trimester if at all possible. During the first trimester, the fetus is developing all of the vital organs it will need to be healthy at birth. Taking medications, even safe ones, can sometimes interfere with early development, resulting in birth defects or even miscarriage. If a woman is suffering severely from allergies during the first trimester and cannot avoid the allergens that trigger her symptoms, she should discuss her options with her doctor.
- Many people receive weekly or monthly allergy shots because allergy pills are not enough to help their severe allergies. Allergy shots are considered safe to continue taking during pregnancy, even during the first trimester. A woman should never begin or re-start taking allergy shots during pregnancy, however. While it is safe to continue a shot regimen already in progress, there are too many unknowns involved for it to be safe to begin these shots. A woman who would like to begin allergy shots will need to wait until after she has delivered her baby to begin.
- As in any matter, it is important to weigh pros and cons. A woman who has mild allergies during the springtime may need to suffer through until summer without taking any medications, or stay inside as much as possible. It is a small sacrifice to have a healthy baby. A woman who has allergies severe enough to interrupt her normal daily activities, however, may need to take a Category B medication in order to get through the day. It is always a good idea to talk to a doctor or pharmacist about the risks associated with each medication and how each could affect the fetus.
