Free family guide · Healthy pregnancy

Medicines during pregnancy

CDC says about 9 in 10 women take some medicine during pregnancy, and about 7 in 10 take at least one prescription medicine.[1]

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Sources on this page: CDC; Ministério da Saúde; NHS; ACOG; MedlinePlus

This page shares what health organizations say. It is not medical advice. It is general information. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pediatrician about your own situation.

In an emergency, call 911.

Ask before you start or stop

CDC says to talk to your providers before you start or stop any medicine.[1] Brazil's Ministry of Health says pregnant women should not take medicine without a prescription.[2]

The NHS says not to stop medicine for a long-term condition without advice.[3] ACOG also says not to stop prescription medicines without talking to your provider.[4]

Why treating illness matters

MedlinePlus says not treating a condition can sometimes be more harmful than the medicine.[5]

Vitamins and supplements

MedlinePlus says to use prenatal vitamins rather than regular ones.[5] ACOG says not to take more than the recommended daily dose of prenatal vitamins.[6]

The NHS says to check with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements.[7]

Questions families ask

Can I take a pain reliever while pregnant?

CDC says to talk to your providers before you start or stop any medicine.[1] Brazil's Ministry of Health says not to take medicine without a prescription.[2]

Should I stop my medicine now that I am pregnant?

MedlinePlus says not treating a condition can sometimes be more harmful than the medicine.[5] CDC says to talk to your providers before you start or stop any medicine.[1]

Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages

Updated 2026-10-24: first published.

Sources

All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medicine and Pregnancy: An Overview. Checked October 24, 2026.
  2. Ministério da Saúde (Brasil). Gravidez. In Portuguese. Checked October 24, 2026.
  3. NHS (United Kingdom). 4 weeks pregnant guide. Checked October 24, 2026.
  4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Good Health Before Pregnancy: Prepregnancy Care. Checked October 24, 2026.
  5. MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Pregnancy and Medicines. Checked October 24, 2026.
  6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Healthy Eating During Pregnancy. Checked October 24, 2026.
  7. NHS (United Kingdom). Vomiting and morning sickness. Checked October 24, 2026.