A Resource for Pregnant Women and Providers
Exposure in Pregnancy: Answers for Women and Providers
Prescription drugs, Over the Counter drugs, Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, Occupational Hazards-All can have an impact on pregnancy and on the developing fetus. But sometimes finding reliable, up-to-date information on these exposures (also referred to as teratogens) in pregnancy is difficult. At the Pregnancy Risk Network (a free telephone information service) callers can get reliable information on specific questions about exposures in pregnancy: information that takes into account specific conditions and concerns. Information is often available on the web, but assessing its accuracy can be difficult and may not take into acount factors such as when the exposure occurs, the intensity, and considerations relating to multiple exposures. Answers to such questions are important in evaluating risks.
A call to the Pregnancy Risk Network involves a brief, confidential conversation with a Teratogen Information Specialist to understand the conditions involved with the exposure. Callers are re-contacted after a review of the available information. Teratogen Information Specialists at the Pregnancy Risk Network have access to authoritive databases and medical literature, a team of genetic counselors and network of national experts in the field of teratology (The study of agents that may have harmful fetal effects.)
Reliable information for mothers-to-be helps guide them to optimal pre-natal care.
