Nifedipine is one of the most effective drugs to prevent the unwanted early labour. If you are heading towards preterm labour for unexplained reasons, then chances are your doctor will put you on Nifedipine. However, before taking this drug, first, you need to understand its use and side effects. It may work like magic for many pregnant women, but the same may not hold true for you. Moreover, it may even not be suitable for you subject to its side effects.
Nifedipine is an anti-contraction medicine. It helps in slowing down the uterine contractions which in turn delays the preterm labour. It is a calcium channel blocker which helps in treating medical conditions like high blood pressure and heart diseases.
Basically, nifedipine slows down the contractions in the uterus since its a calcium channel blocker and the uterus requires calcium to contract. However, nifedipine obstructs the pathways, preventing calcium to reach to the uterus. So, you must be wondering how it helps in delaying the labour, aren’t you? Nifedipine blocks the calcium and allows the uterus and other soft tissues in one’s body to relax which in turn delays the labour.
Typically, your doctor will put you on nifedipine if you are susceptible to an unexplained preterm labour. The following cases usually lead to the prescription of nifedipine by your doctor:
Although nifedipine works wonder for most of the women, by delaying the preterm labour, it has a few side effects like many other medicines. Usually, it is believed to inflict no damage or side effects on mother or on her child with an exception to serious medical cases. Following are some of the common side effects of taking nifedipine during pregnancy:
It is always recommended to avoid any sort of unnecessary medication, especially, if it is something which is not prescribed by your doctor. Following are some tips for you to have a better understanding:
During pregnancy, you will experience a multitude of changes in your body. However, understanding those changes and their timings is also crucial to rule out any odd event. Normally, a normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. However, if one’s labour starts during at 37th week or before that, then it may prove harmful to both, mother and child. Hence, it is advisable to seek medical attention as early as possible. Following are some symptoms indicating that you need to visit a doctor at earliest:
Consult with your doctor right away if you experience any of the above symptoms or other issues. It’s always better to address an issue at its earlier stage to ensure safety and health of the mother and her child. It is also recommended that you consult with your doctor before taking any medication, especially, if it’s a drug like nifedipine which is used only in the emergency situations.