While we are well aware of the deleterious effects of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy, only 3 in 10 women think they are well informed about the consequences of taking medication.

The national drug safety agency has just launched a campaign on the subject, presented by its director on Friday on Europe 1.

INTERVIEW

In France, seven out of ten women say they are well informed about the risks associated with alcohol during pregnancy.

On the risks associated with drugs, this figure drops to three in ten.

Faced with this lack of information, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has just launched a campaign aimed at alerting French women to the problems that self-medication can cause or on the contrary suddenly stopping their treatment, for their health and that of their baby.

"This is a subject of major importance. Our objective is to raise awareness among women and health professionals," recalls Christelle Ratignier-Carbonneil, director of ANSM, guest of Europe 1 on Friday. 

4 in 10 women mistakenly think that ibuprofen is safe

36% of women questioned in the ANSM survey say they self-medicated during their first pregnancy.

In the second, they are almost 50%.

And the trend is rather upward.

"The Covid crisis did not help matters. Between our first survey in November 2019 and the second a year later, there was a difference of 8 points. Medical consultations fell, women turned more to their health. entourage than to their doctor ", specifies Christelle Ratignier-Carbonneil. 

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But word of mouth tends to convey false information on the subject.

Thus according to the ANSM, 4 out of 10 women think that ibuprofen is not dangerous for the health of the fetus.

And yet: like all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, this one can trigger significant growth retardation. 

"You have to be vigilant whatever the time of pregnancy"

The harmful effects vary from one type of medication to another.

Isotretinoin, against acne, and some antiepileptics can affect organ formation.

Conversely, taking a regular treatment that has not been validated by a health professional can also lead to a deprivation effect in the infant.

"You have to be very vigilant at any time of pregnancy and absolutely seek advice, including for the most common medications."

Christelle Ratignier-Carbonneil also recommends not to stop chronic treatment on your own during pregnancy.

In most cases, a replacement that is safe for the fetus can be prescribed by a doctor.

In all cases, each tablet intake should be closely monitored. 

Finally, pay attention to homeopathy. "It is not because it is natural that it is harmless", underlines the director of the ANSM, recalling that many preparations contain alcohol, the toxicity of which is no longer to be demonstrated.