ASPIRIN (ASA). “Whatever headaches accompany the last months of pregnancy, it’s best to forgo aspirin.” (Medical World News) What’s wrong with aspirin? In one study, when mothers took aspirin late in pregnancy and then had premature births, 70 percent of those babies suffered from bleeding inside the skull (intracranial hemorrhage), a much higher figure than for women not taking aspirin.

“I’d say flatly aspirin is contraindicated,” during the last three months of pregnancy.​—Dr. Carol M. Rumack, professor of radiology and pediatrics.

TRANQUILIZERS Valium, Miltown, Librium and others. Here is what the makers of Valium tell doctors in their literature: “Use of minor tranquilizers during the first trimester should almost always be avoided because of increased risk of congenital malformations, as suggested in several studies.” In other words, taking tranquilizers during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Don’t do it if you are concerned about the future happiness of your little “guest.”

How serious is the risk? A study of 20,000 women by researchers at the University of California concluded that babies born to women taking Librium or Miltown early in pregnancy suffered six times as many birth defects as did the offspring of women taking no medication.

BARBITURATES may also cause birth defects. These include drugs like Seconal, Nembutal, Amytal, Luminal and Tuinal. “Studies suggest an association between the use of certain sedative hypnotic drugs during pregnancy and various congenital defects in the offspring of users.”​—Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Canada.

Do you have an infection? Watch out for tetracycline if you are pregnant! “Tetracyclines can damage teeth at any state of in utero [in the womb] life, and they have no place in the treatment of pregnant women.”​—Australian Family Physician.