Safe Use of Medications in Pregnancy and Lactation

This CE course for Registered Nurses (RNs) provides an in-depth exploration of the safe use of medications during pregnancy and lactation. These periods involve significant physiological changes that affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, which in turn influence how medications are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Nurses play a crucial role in ensuring that both maternal health and fetal/infant safety are maintained when medications are administered. This course covers the risks and benefits of commonly used drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including strategies for managing maternal health conditions while minimizing exposure risks to the developing fetus or infant.

Participants will gain practical knowledge of the FDA’s pregnancy risk categories, the timing of drug exposure in relation to fetal development, and tools like LactMed for assessing safety during lactation. The course also emphasizes recognizing potential drug interactions and adverse effects specific to the perinatal population. Through evidence-based guidance and case scenarios, nurses will be better equipped to counsel patients on medication use and recommend alternatives when appropriate. Special attention is given to common medication categories such as antibiotics, analgesics, antidepressants, and antihypertensives.

By the end of the course, learners will have the tools and confidence to support patient safety and ensure informed decision-making for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. This program promotes a patient-centered approach that aligns with current guidelines and fosters improved health outcomes for both mother and child.

Educational Objectives

• Understand the physiological changes in pregnancy and lactation and their impact on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion to ensure appropriate pharmacotherapy is selected and managed for both mother and fetus/infant.
• Assess the safety of medications during pregnancy and lactation by applying FDA pregnancy risk categories, evaluating the teratogenic risks across different stages of pregnancy, and determining the compatibility of drugs with breastfeeding.
• Evaluate the potential risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy and lactation, taking into consideration the timing of drug exposure, maternal health conditions, and the developmental stage of the fetus or infant.
• Monitor and manage drug interactions and adverse effects in pregnant and breastfeeding women, including the identification of drugs with known teratogenic effects and the assessment of possible side effects on the infant, such as sedation or gastrointestinal disturbances.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations and patient education for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, offering guidance on the safe use of medications, alternatives when necessary, and strategies to minimize maternal and fetal/infant health risks.

Who Should Do This Course

This course is designed for:

• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs)

Specialties:

• OBGYN and Women’s Health
• Pediatrics
• Neonatal Nursing
• Family Medicine
• Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Primary Care

Did You Know?

• Approximately 90% of pregnant women take at least one medication during pregnancy. (CDC, 2022)
• Up to 60% of women are prescribed a medication while breastfeeding. (FDA, 2021)
• The first trimester is the most vulnerable period for teratogenic effects due to organogenesis. (NIH, 2023)
• The use of LactMed has increased clinical confidence in prescribing during lactation. (NIH, 2023)
• Many over-the-counter drugs can cross the placenta or enter breast milk. (ACOG, 2022)