WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1997: Re: allergy shots while pregnant?

Re: allergy shots while pregnant?

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 9 May 1997 14:06:51 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: bri: "allergy shots while pregnant?"

At Thu, 8 May 1997, bri wrote: >
>Hi! I have an appointment with an allergist in June so that I can start
>receiving allergy shots again (I am allergic to molds, pollen, animals,
>dust, etc. and I used to get allergy shots until they triggered my
>asthma years ago). Since I know that I should take as little if any
>medication as possible while pregnant, I'm wondering if I can have
>allergy shots while I'm pregnant. I don't want to start them again if
>it's not perfectly safe for the baby because we want to start trying to
>get pregnant this summer, and I know that the most damage to the baby is
>done before you know you are pregnant.

Hi Bri, You're getting to be a regular here :-)

There are no problems with allergy shots (hyposensitization to those of you stuck on fancy medical jargon) during pregnancy. Some allergists reduce the dosage during pregnancy but I have not seen any medical studies regarding the dose reduction.

What many of my patients are doing, however, is to start on nasal sprays that are safe in pregnancy. They are steroid based sprays that prevent symptoms or markedly reduce them. An example of this category of medications would be *Flonase*. There are several others just as good.

It's important to understand that very few medications actually harm a fetus. These are very dangerous and should be avoided at all cost....but they are (fortunately) few and far between.

-- Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York Great Neck, New York http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm http://www.obgyn.net/women/heroes/harveym.htm

*Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purpose only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options.

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