Using benzodiazepines during late-term pregnancy can increase the risk of side effects in your baby, but each mother should weigh the benefits and risks with their doctor.
Article at a Glance:
Benzodiazepines formerly carried a Category D rating in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pregnancy Categories.
The drugs can cause sedation andwithdrawal symptomsin a baby after birth.
Benzodiazepines were formerly believed to increase the risk of malformations like cleft palate. However, newer studies do not show an apparent increased risk of malformations, so the relationship is unclear.
Benzodiazepines and Pregnancy
Benzodiazepinescan include medications such as Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Valium (diazepam). Most doctors strongly discourage taking benzos during pregnancy because ofthe riskof sedation and withdrawal in a baby.
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If you are using any of these medications and become pregnant, schedule a meeting with your doctor. Ideally, you should consult your psychiatrist or obstetrician before you attempt to conceive or if you are sexually active and do not use birth control.
What We Know About Maternal Use of Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepinesformerly carriedaCategory Drating in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pregnancy Categories. A Category D rating meant that there isevidence of riskto a baby. This rating was largely due toolder studiesthat indicated that benzodiazepine use in pregnancy may increase the risk of fetal malformations like cleft palate.
However, the FDA started to change its pregnancy rating system in 2014,removing the old pregnancy categories. This coincided with more studies being done on benzodiazepines in pregnant women. These newer studies showed that there isnot a clear linkbetween benzodiazepine use and fetal malformation. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that any increased risk for fetal malformationsmay not be dueto a benzodiazepine but instead to the mother’s medical condition that the benzodiazepine is used to treat.
Benzodiazepine use is still noted to carry risks to an unborn baby, however, especially when they are taken in thelate third trimester.
Effects Of Benzo Use on the Unborn Baby
If a pregnant woman is using benzodiazepines, the fetus may be at risk for side effects.
Remember, benzodiazepines are prescription medications that should only be used with a prescription from a doctor. Do not take this medication if you have not been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Adverse Outcomes
Adverse outcomes for the baby are especially a risk if the benzodiazepine is taken during thelate third trimester. Babies born shortly after benzodiazepine exposure haveshown signsof:
- Sedation
- Slowed breathing
- Withdrawal
- Feeding problems
Benzodiazepines formerly were linked to malformations like cleft lip and palate, but the data supporting this isno longer clear. For this reason, neither theCDCnor benzodiazepinepackage labelingdiscusses cleft lip and palate.
How long after giving birth should I wait before taking medication?
What is the safest benzo to take while pregnant?
Can benzodiazepines cross the placenta?
What pregnancy category are benzodiazepines?
When the Benefits of Benzodiazepines in Pregnancy Outweigh the Risks
Your doctor can help you determine when the benefits of continuing a benzodiazepine in pregnancy outweigh the risks. Having an untreated mental health disorder carries risks of its own in pregnancy, whichinclude:
- Poor adherence to prenatal care
- Poor nutrition
- Risk of alcohol abuse
- Risk of tobacco use
If your doctor believes that keeping you off a benzodiazepine puts you and your baby at more health risk than continuing you on the drug, you may be instructed to continue it.
How To Treat Anxiety Symptoms Without Benzodiazepines During Pregnancy
If your doctor supports stopping your benzodiazepine use during pregnancy, it may be important to have a strategy with other ways to treat your anxiety. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an alternative medication for you. The exact medication will depend on your medical history.
However, nonpharmacologic alternatives are also available. They can be done on their own or combined with medication to help treat anxiety while pregnant. These alternativesinclude:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Yoga
- Massage
- Acupuncture
Finding Help for Benzo Use While Pregnant
Help is here for soon-to-be moms who want to stop using benzos before they become pregnant. In many cases, you can work with your healthcare provider to gradually lower the benzodiazepine dose over time. This strategy oftapering off benzodiazepineswill help you avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.
If you are unable to stop using benzodiazepines while you are pregnant, it is important to let your doctor know as soon as possible so that your baby can be appropriately monitored.
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