The extent and character of drug consumption during pregnancy

P. L. Doering and R. B. Stewart

One hundred sixty-eight obstetrical patients' conditions were monitored prospectively throughout the prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum periods to obtain data on maternal drug consumption. In the prenatal period, all patients received at least two different drug products: 93.4% received five or more, while one patient reported taking 32 different products. The average number of drug products used in the prenatal period was 11.0. The mean perinatal exposure in patients undergoing vaginal delivery was 7.0. Analysis by therapeutic category was performed. Information gathered confirms the fact that pregnant women do take a large number of different types of medications, the consequences of which remain unknown.