The euphoria of being pregnant, especially if you have been trying for a child for some time, soon wears off and the need for antenatal and following the antenatal drugs list soon kicks in. The fact that you have a growing life in you means you are responsible for their well-being as well as yours. Therefore, you should do everything in your power to ensure they remain healthy, at least to the best of your ability.
One of the ways to ensure that a fetus is healthy and ascertain if they need any medical intervention to return them to a healthy state, that is if there are any abnormal observation, is to be a part of an antenatal program. It is during these antenatal sessions that a pregnant woman and the child growing in her uterus are monitored and placed on the appropriate antenatal drugs.
The antenatal drugs contained in this drugs list is aimed at providing some essential nutrients that is needed for the improved health of the mother and child by supplementing these nutrients through oral medications as they cannot all be ingested through food. These drugs help to improve the immunity of the mother, and consequently, the baby. It also improves blood circulation, ensures good organ development in the fetus, among other things.
In this article, we will provide you with a detailed antenatal drugs list and how they help to improve the health and strength of the mother and the child she is growing in her womb. We will also include the food sources of the nutrients these drugs are supplementing for to help you understand their safety and importance.
Antenatal Drugs List in Nigeria
This list of antenatal drugs in Nigeria contains the drugs commonly given to pregnant women for theirs a and their child’s improved health during pregnancy. Although some of these drugs can be useful when they are not pregnant, the nutrients they give can be gotten from other sources. However, due to the appetite and nausea issues pregnant women are bound to experience, these are easier avenues to get these nutrients into their systems.
The antenatal drugs list includes:
Vitamin C
As one of the important nutrients that help to improve immunity and the body’s defense against infections and diseases, there is no gain-saying in proposing vitamin c as one of the most important nutrients a pregnant woman should consume.
It is essential that the fetus is protected from any disease that may occur while it is invitro, and that can only be achieved when the mother’s immunity is built up to withstand any disease attack. Diseases such as the common cold and flu, bacterial infection, and many others can be passed from the mother to child through transplacental transmission.
This drug is available in tablet form and can be used with water or placed in the mouth to dissolve. There are the sweet options, and the sour ones. At the antenatal clinic, the dosage of vitamin c appropriate for you will be stated.
This nutrient is gotten from fruits such as citrus, pawpaw, avocado, and so on.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, also called Cobalamin, is an important part of the B vitamins, especially during pregnancy as it is responsible for the development of the nervous system. A deficiency in this nutrient means the fetus will have a defective nervous system development, which in turn causes impairment in intelligence and many muscular coordination.
Spinal and nervous system malformations such as spina bifida, anencephaly, and other neural tube defects can be well prevented by using vitamin B12. This vitamin is also important in improving the appetite of the mother, helping her and the child get more nutrient and energy from food sources.
Usually, vitamin B12 is recommended to be taken twice or thrice daily, ingesting only one tablet at a time. However, follow the dosage you are given at your antenatal clinic.
Calcium
An important mineral that helps to grow and strengthen the bones and teeth in people of all ages. Calcium during pregnancy helps to develop strong bones and teeth and is needed in large quantities because the body does not produce it. However, there is a risk of having kidney stone from consuming too much calcium drugs.
For this reason, many doctors will rather recommend foods that contain calcium, such as milk, yoghurt, cheese, some vegetables – spinach, Bok choy, and so on.
If you are allowed to use calcium by your doctor, your daily dosage cannot be more than 1000 mg per day. You will have to get more calcium from food sources.
Folic Acid
Folic Acid is also vitamin B9. It is a vitamin that plays a big role in the growth of cells, development of DNA, and consequently the growth, development, and functioning of the different organs of the body. It ensures that the fetus grows without birth defect and its presence and adequacy in the body ensures that all organs are functioning properly.
It is considered the most important vitamin during pregnancy and can also help to prevent birth defects such as the neural tube defects and delayed mental development in children.
Folic acid can be gotten from green leafy vegetables, fruits such as grapes and oranges, nuts as in groundnuts, walnuts, and so on.
The daily dosage for folic acid in Nigeria is 5 mg per day. However, for women with alcohol consumption issues, kidney and other organ issues, asthma, or arthritis, the dosage may be increased.
Antimalarial
Malaria during pregnancy is a big source of worry for both mothers-to-be and doctors as the pathogen, plasmodium, can be deadly, if not quickly brought under control. The pathogen can easily pass from the mother to the child, causing issues to the fetus, that may not be easy to treat. In some cases, premature delivery and even fetal loss can occur as a result of malaria.
To prevent this from happening, the mother malaria is prevented from happening by using prophylactic antimalarial. While there are many antimalarial drugs available in Nigeria, not all are suitable for use during pregnancy. Antimalarials that contain chloroquine, quinine, and clindamycin are effective but are generally avoided during the first trimester.
However, one popular choice is Fansidar.
Iron
Iron is a mineral that is important to blood volume and quality. While a lady might be anemic and go about her daily activities without any apparent issue, it becomes an issue when she becomes pregnant. This is because the amount of iron her body needs during pregnancy doubles and since she is deficient, it creates anemic issues.
Ordinarily, Iron is important in the transportation of oxygen to every cell of the body. It is also important in maintaining appetite, and improving energy during pregnancy.
Iron supplements are commonly given to pregnant women to address their need for more blood by taking 200 mg of the supplement thrice daily.
Prenatal Multivitamins
Prenatal multivitamins are concentrated and nutrient-packed drugs that are commonly used to provide nutrients such as the B vitamins, calcium, and Iron to pregnant women. They are usually used to improve the diet and appetite of pregnant women, and help to supplement nutrients that they may be deficient in.
There are different brands of prenatal multivitamins, and a popular choice as an antenatal drug is Pregnacare. Also, prenatal multivitamins is a brand name that performs the same function as Pregnacare.
Conclusion
Care for pregnant women goes beyond making them comfortable at home and keeping nausea at bay, there are health concerns that are best trashed and treated at the hospital and can only be discovered during antenatal sessions. Ensure that you register at the nearest maternity center and use the antenatal drugs that is recommended and provided for improved health and easier pregnancy.