Lack of proper sleep is one of the most common symptoms that are experienced amongst women during their course of pregnancy. This could be due to hormonal changes, worries, anxiety, due to the weight of the baby, etc. It has been seen that most of the women have a disturbed sleep pattern or no sleep at all. This can adversely affect their health and the safe progression of pregnancy. Sleeplessness can be taken care of by medications, especially Ambien (Zolpidem), which is a tranquilizing painkiller and helps to treat sleep issues like insomnia or sleep anemia, etc.
Since pregnancy is a crucial time, it is important to know everything about the medications you take during this period. It is important to know the possible side effects, chances of miscarriage, the chances of birth defects in the baby, its impact on pregnancy, mother and the baby, etc.
In This Article
- What Is Ambien?
- Can You Take Ambien While Pregnant?
- What If You Have Taken Ambien During Pregnancy?
- Can Ambien (Zolpidem) Cause Miscarriage?
- Can Ambien Increase The Chance Of Birth Defects In The Baby?
- Does Ambien Cause Withdrawal Symptoms For The Mother Or Baby?
- FAQs
What Is Ambien?
Ambien that is also known by the generic name of zolpidem is a sedative that induces sleep. It does carry some chances of getting into depression and being dependent, yet safe for short-term usage. Its consumption for a pregnant woman might need a consultation with the health experts as it can affect both the mother and the baby.
Ideally, it is said that it does not have any lingering effects or nausea. It is also believed that its consumption is safe even if taken successively for a few nights.
Ambien is ideal for short-term usage only. It is coupled with memory loss and is strictly not advisable for patients who are suffering from kidney, liver, or lung diseases. This drug is highly addictive Can You Take Ambien In Pregnancy? So it should be avoided with the patient in case there is a history of addiction to alcohol etc.
Can You Take Ambien While Pregnant?
Anything taken during pregnancy must be researched and then given as it can have side effects for the mother and the baby. Ambien during pregnancy is safe to be given if its impending benefits are more than the risks associated with the mother and the baby. This tranquilizing drug falls under the “Pregnancy Category C” of drugs by the FDA.
What If You Have Taken Ambien During Pregnancy?
Sometimes, a pregnant woman might have already taken this drug before pregnancy or during pregnancy. In that case, consult your doctor and find out if the drug can be continued or the dose needs to be altered. It is not advisable to stop the drug abruptly as it can have adverse health effects for both the mother and the baby.
Can Ambien (Zolpidem) Cause Miscarriage?
Miscarriage is another threat that is always related to pregnancy. It is thus advisable to be very alert and vigilant of what needs to be done and taken care of. It is always best to consult a doctor even for taking medicine for any normal illness like cold and fever during this time.
Taking Ambien has been found safe, but there have been very few instances of miscarriage as well. Thus, more research is required under this field for getting any final or concluding answers to the same.
Can Ambien Increase The Chance Of Birth Defects In The Baby?
Many drugs carry side effects for the baby if taken during this time. Some medicines do result in deformities for the baby in case it is taken in the 12th week of pregnancy. During this period, the organs of the fetus are developing.
Yet no studies have proven that taking Ambien or its likes can result in any birth deformities in the babies. Although much more research is required for assurance in this matter.
How Can Ambien Affect The Pregnancy?
It is vigilant to get proper know-how of taking any drug during pregnancy as it can affect both the mother and the baby. Pregnancy is a precarious stage, so one should have a proper insight into what effect can the consumption of a drug lead to. There are a few instances that have shown how Ambien affects pregnancy.
A few of the ways it can affect are as below:
- Untimely Birth: Research has indicated that pregnant women using Ambien during their pregnancy have shown greater threats of having untimely birth.
- Babies With Low Birth Weight: Having Ambien in higher dosage at the later stages of pregnancy results in the low birth weight of babies.
Other side effects of this drug could be nausea, loose stools. Lethargy and tiredness, etc., in case one experiences such symptoms, the doctor can be consulted for its discontinuation but gradually and not instantly.
Does Ambien Cause Withdrawal Symptoms For The Mother Or Baby?
Any medication during pregnancy can have side effects, so it should be taken only on a doctor’s recommendation. It is generally seen that the doctors prescribe very mild painkillers to be safe at this time and even avoid any x-rays etc.
Sleep is of most importance. But generally, pregnant women end up having sleepless nights. And under such conditions, doctors prescribe the dosage of Ambien, which could to certain abandoning symptoms like under:
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Cramping and pains
- Weeping
- Nausea
- Sleep issues
- Nervous and panic attacks
- Anger
Above are the symptoms that relate to the mother, some of the babies, however, can have weak muscles, breathing issues, lower body temperature, etc. In such cases, the doctor offers additional support and keeps monitoring at regular intervals during the pregnancy, and even after the delivery takes place.
After having good know-how, let us also look at some of the most commonly asked questions, also referred to as “Frequently asked questions,” also known as FAQ. Some of the most common ones that make the women anxious are as follows:
FAQs
How safe is it to take Ambien in the first trimester?
Answer: It is safe to take Ambien in the first trimester. No results have been found that says that its consumption has resulted in any birth deformities.
When taking Ambien, does it overlap the placenta?
Yes, the Ambien overlaps the placenta and is probable to lead to untimely birth and low birth weight of babies.
What are the alternatives to treat insomnia rather than taking Ambien?
There are some natural and safer alternatives to treat insomnia. These include practicing different relaxation techniques, yoga, and meditation. Changing sleeping habits will also help.
Thus, it can be said that taking drugs like Ambien is not absolutely safe. They can. at times have adverse health effects on the mother and the baby. Therefore, it is much more advisable to depend on home remedies.
