Has anyone used allergy medicines while they were pregnant?
If so, what kind and did everything turn out ok?

I have the worst allergies right now and my provider prescribed me Zyrtec but I'm terrified to take it bc no studies have been done on pregnant women with the drug.

Any suggestions or other ways to relieve allergy symptoms besides rinsing nose often, showering often, etc?
Thanks! 

Hi! I'm not a doctor, pharmacist, nurse so I'm in no way giving you medical advice.

I took Benadryl during my pregnancy and it was ok'd my physician. It helped so much but it made me insanely sleepy. 

Oh!!! My husband eats local honey and it is great for his allergies! I can't remember If you can have honey when you are pregnant. I remember not being able to feed honey to a baby I think for 12
Months or so. 

I took benadryl during my pregnancies and was Ok'd by the doc. Also Claritin but it doenst do anything for me. 

I take generic allergy meds only when absolutely necessary, like if I'm going to lose my mind if I don't get some relief. Then I stop as soon as I don't need it anymore.

Benedryl makes me really twitchy and tired and feel worse than I did before.

Did your OB prescribe the meds or your regular doctor? If it was your OB I would assume it's okay to take. 

Claritin works well. I took that with mine 

My OB/midwife prescribed them to me. It is a type B drug which means it's been tested in pregnant animals not pregnant women. I'm also terrified to take anything because of all those commercials on TV about, if you took this or that while pregnant and you're baby was born with this.. then call this number...
And those women were prescribed those pills by their Dr. thinking it was ok.

I just want relief but I don't want to jeopardize the heath of my baby that's why I'm so paranoid of taking anything other than my prenatal vitamins. 

health* 

My doctor allowed me to take Sudafed and Benadryl.

Here's some opinions from a couple of Drs: http://www.babycenter.com/406_is-it-safe-to-take-allergy-medications-during-pregnancy_1245294.bc 

I understand what you're saying. I've been trying so hard this pregnancy to make sure everything's all natural. I debate with myself for hours about taking a Tylenol lol.

I've been on DIY kick lately and came across some interesting stuff about essential oils. Apparently lavender, eucalyptus and mint massaged into the bottoms of your feet can alleviate allergy symptoms. Sounds crazy, but I think I'm going to try it next time I have a flare up. It's all natural, so I feel like if it doesn't work, then it doesn't matter because it won't affect the baby. 

Oh!!! My husband eats local honey and it is great for his allergies!

We do this, too; I buy the big jugs of honey from the farm on Scenic Drive (Britt's?). You can see the bees working right there on sight. :)

We've been going bananas with it in our tea; I just mix it with Bigelow Lemon Lift tea and fresh squeezed lemons (or, the imported volcanic lemon juice from Italy). Very yummy, very relaxing. Not sure what tea is best for an expectant mom, but I'd seek your medical professional's advice. :) 

We do this, too; I buy the big jugs of honey from the farm on Scenic Drive (Britt's?). You can see the bees working right there on sight. :)


I was wondering where you get local honey at around here! I'll have to try them out. 

There's going to be a farmer's market at the commy on the 30th; maybe someone will be selling it then. :) 

Here is the list from my OB's office that I followed for all 3 pregnancies and the pregnancies were normal and three babies all came out perfectly healthy. Hope it helps.

Over-the-Counter Medications Safe to Take During Pregnancy

Cold symptoms, nasal stuffiness, cough:

Sudafed or Actifed as directed
Tylenol Cold & Sinus as directed
Cough drops
Robitussin cough syrup as directed
Benadryl as directed

Zyrtec with decongestants as directed for allergies

Claritin with decongestants as directed for allergies

Constipation:

Colace 100mg once or twice daily

Diarrhea:

Imodium AD as directed

Headache:

Tylenol Regular Strength-2 tablets as directed
Tylenol Extra Strength-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed

Heartburn:

Mylanta as directed
Tums as directed
Zantac as directed
Pepcid as directed
Prilosec as directed

Insomnia:

Benadryl as directed
Tylenol PM as directed

Nausea:

Vitamin B6 100mg daily

Tiredness:

Ferrous Sulfate as directed

You should not take any medications with decongestants in them if you have elevated blood pressure.

DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR MOTRIN/IBUPROFEN, UNLESS DIRECTED BY YOUR DOCTOR. 

I saw some local honey for sale at the Insect Zoo in the KSU Gardens also... 4.25$ for the bear I think. 

zyrtec is category B - considered safe. 

Some medications can be used during pregnancy, but should not be used in certain trimesters. I ran into this with a UTI when I was pregnant. They could not give me any cycline based med because I was in my 1st trimester. I could take it in my 3rd though. Just do a little research and make sure it is ok to take for the trimester you are in. 

Thanks everyone! I think I'll try some honey. My OB said as long as it's pasteurized, I can take it. As for the pills, think I'll hold off on them. Even though they are category B, they still have not been tested in pregnant women. I'll also try the essential oils and see if that helps. 

I took both clairtin and benedryl while pregnant this last time and he is perfect!! almost 5 months now!