Maternity Medications

Question 1

Prenatal Vitamins

Answer 1

• Used to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency due to poor diet, certain illnesses, or during pregnancy.
• Side effects: constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, stool may change color
• Ex: Most are OTC and can be found in drugstores

Question 2

Ferrous Sulfate (Iron)

Answer 2

• Used to treat or prevent low blood levels of iron (esp for anemia and pregnancy)
• Side effects: Black stool, Constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or upset stomach
• Ex: Prescription or OTC

Question 3

Magnesium Sulfate

Answer 3

• Used in pregnancy to prevent seizures due to worsening preeclampsia, to slow or stop preterm labor, and to prevent injuries to a preterm baby’s brain.
• Given IV or IM
• Side effects: Flushing or hot flashes, Feeling tired and lethargic, N/V, Dizziness, Blurred vision, Muscle weakness

Question 4

Calcium Gluconate

Answer 4

• Used as an Antidote for Magnesium Sulfate
• Also used for low calcium levels
• Side Effects: warmth, tingling, or heavy feeling, chalky taste in your mouth, upset stomach, gas, and constipation.

Question 5

Oxytocin Injection (Pitocin)

Answer 5

• Used for a boggy uterus and induction of labor
• Treats the symptoms of postpartum hemorrhage and incomplete or inevitable abortion
• side effects: tachycardia or bradycardia, excess bleeding afterbirth, blurred vision, severe headache
• Given IV or IM

Question 6

Phytonadione (Vitamin K INJ)

Answer 6

• AQUAMEPHYTON (Phytonadione injection)
• Given to newborns 1 hours after delivery to help produce clotting factors. (They don’t clot themselves for the first week)
• IM, IV, SQ route

Question 7

Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment

Answer 7

• Eye Ointment given to babies to prevent infections

- Side Effects: redness, itching, stinging, or burning of the eye

Question 8

Epidural, Blocks

Answer 8

• Epidural Nerve Block: Type of anesthesia given numb your spinal nerves and prevent pain signals from traveling to your brain. It usually begins to work in only 10 to 20 minutes.
• Epidural Injections: Given to reduce pain and inflammation in your back, neck, arms, or legs.

Question 9

IV Fluids

Answer 9

• Fluids given Intravenously to prevent or treat dehydration or electrolyte imbalances.
• Helps stabilize blood pressure

Question 10

Analgesics

Answer 10

• Given to relief pain
• side effects: constipation, drowsiness, upset stomach, dry mouth
• ex: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ASA, naproxen

Question 11

Antiemetics

Answer 11

• Used to help with nausea and vomiting
• Typically for morning sickness in pregnancy
• side effects: black stools, dry mouth, constipation

-Examples: dimenhydrinate, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), prochlorperazine, promethazine. (metoclopramide if other treatments don’t work)

Question 12

Opiate Antagonist

Answer 12

• Used for opioid overdose
• side effects: allergic reactions
• Examples: Narcan, Naloxone

Question 13

Contraceptives

Answer 13

• Used to prevent conception of child (pregnancy)
• Side effects: mood changes, weight gain, depression, spotting between periods, breast tenderness, headache/migraines
• Ex: Birth Control (IUD, pills, Injection), Condoms