Taking Valium while pregnant can increase a baby’s risk of side effects, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before using this medication during pregnancy.
When a woman becomes pregnant, many things can affect the fetus growing in her womb. This includes foods and beverages as well as over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications and illegal drugs. Because the fetus is so sensitive during its development, doctors will carefully weigh the benefits and risks of medications before prescribing them.
Some women may need to remain on prescription drugs during their pregnancy because the medications help them function in their daily lives. For example, a pregnant woman may need to continue taking Valium to treat their anxiety.
Valiumis a prescription medication that isFDA-approvedto treat anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures and other conditions. It is classified as a benzodiazepine and is aSchedule IVcontrolled substance.
If you are pregnant or planning to be and wonder if you can take Valium, speak with your doctor. Itremains unclearwhether Valium causes health risks to the fetus, so it is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy. However, your doctor may determine that the benefits of using Valium during pregnancy outweigh the possible risks.
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Effects of Valium on a Fetus
In the past, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified benzodiazepines like Valium asCategory Ddrugs. This rating meant the FDA believed there wasevidencethat Valium could put an unborn baby at risk. The Category D rating was given because data fromolder studiesshowed that taking benzos during pregnancy led to a higher rate of fetal malformations, such as cleft palate.
The FDA changed the pregnancy rating system in 2014 andremoved the old pregnancy categories. At the same time, doctors continued studying how benzodiazepines affected fetuses during pregnancy. These newer studies foundno clear linkbetween benzodiazepines and the risk of fetal malformations. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that even if a link existed, itmight not be dueto benzodiazepines. Rather, malformations may be caused by the medical condition the benzodiazepine was prescribed to treat.
Valium Side Effects in a Newborn
If a pregnant woman takes Valium during the late third trimester, the baby may be at risk of side effects when it is born. These side effectsinclude:
- Sedation
- Slowed breathing
- Withdrawal
- Problems feeding
Symptoms of Valium Withdrawal and Toxicity in Newborns
When a pregnant woman takes Valium on a regular basis, it is possible for the fetus to become addicted to the drug. Babies born addicted to Valium can have symptoms that interfere with their development,including:
- Drowsiness
- Absent reflexes
- Problems suckling
When a baby exposed to Valium during pregnancy stops getting the drug after it is born, it can go into withdrawal. Withdrawal isespecially commonin babies whose mothers used benzos like Valium over the long term. Valium withdrawal symptoms in a newborncan last several months, and they mayinclude:
- Vomiting
- Jitteriness
- Tremors
- Being easily startled
- Crying
Valium and Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding isnot recommendedfor women who take Valium because the drug passes into breast milk. If you take Valium and are planning on breastfeeding, make sure to talk to your doctor about alternatives.
Quitting Valium Safely
If you are currently taking Valium and no longer want to use the medication, do not adjust your treatment schedule without instruction from your doctor. In most cases,doctors will taperoff a patient’s Valium dose to minimize the risk of withdrawal. Symptoms associated withValium withdrawalcaninclude:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pains
- Cramps
- Tremors
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Mood swings
- Rebound anxiety
- Drug cravings
These withdrawal symptoms can negatively affect a pregnant woman’s health, as well as the health of their fetus. For these reasons,taperingoff Valium is very important for pregnant women in particular.
If you or someone you love is struggling with Valium use and a co-occurring mental health condition like anxiety, help is available. The Recovery Village haslocations throughout the country, and each offers helpful addiction recovery resources to those looking to live a healthier, substance-free life.Contact ustoday to learn more about Valium addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs.
