Botox which is a substance capable of smoothing wrinkles and widely used in the treatment of certain diseases, is eagerly bought by people wishing to look younger or be free from chronic headaches, for example.
Therefore, when one is pregnant, certain issues that are related to Botox should be noted since they might be dangerous to the unborn baby. The expectant mothers have to be fully convinced that their unborn child is not in any way endangered and if endangered such a condition has to be highlighted.
The biggest controversy regarding the application of Botox during pregnancy is the influence of botulinum toxin on the fetus. This is because Botox is known to operate by partially immobilizing muscles; therefore, questions arise as to whether pregnant females should take this chemical.
Regarding Botox, the FDA has assigned it to category C in pregnancy, that is, in animals, adverse effects to the fetus have been established but recognized human-controlled trials are lacking. Because of this affiliation, several healthcare practitioners discourage the use of Botox during pregnancy just in case.
The possible complication of Botox injections during pregnancy has not been determined because of the various forbidden experimental research on pregnant women.
Experiments with animals point out that a high concentration of the botulinum toxin may hurt the fetus and birth such as low birth weight and skeletal system dysfunction. However, such studies were carried out using doses much higher than those usually applied during cosmetic procedures.
Though there are no human studies, potential combined risks of unknown origin are several, leading to the consensus of most health care practitioners that Botox should not be administrated during pregnancy.
A report was done in 2017 looking at the different outcomes in 232 pregnancies with exposed women to botulinum toxin. The research did not establish the clients have a higher percentage of unfavorable pregnancy-related events than the rest of the women. (Source)
However, some of the limitations that one can point to include the following: The study population in this research was relatively small and more importantly, relied on the participants’ reports.
Thus, despite the fact the study results are relatively encouraging, they cannot be regarded as final evidence of the absence of risk related to using Botox during pregnancy.
Considering the foregoing risks and/or uncertainties, a significant number of pregnant women turn to other forms of treatment for conditions that Botox is usually employed to address, including such things as migraines or excessive sweating.
Topical Treatments:
For, cosmetic enhancement, over-the-counter creams with Retinoids, hyaluronic acid, or peptides to name but a few are efficient. However, some classes must be avoided during pregnancy due to their ability to cause birth defects: retinoids.
Physical Therapies:
Some of the remedies that may be prescribed for muscle spasms or pain include among others which are, physical therapy, massage, and acupuncture among others and these do not involve injections.
Medications:
Regarding conditions, for instance, migraines, specific drugs are considered less risky to pregnant women. As in the use of any drug, precaution must be taken before the drug is administered and this is by consulting the doctor.
Furthermore, it was established that some of the general preventive measures that help enhance the skin’s general health during pregnancy include diet changes, exercise, and adequate intake of water.
The following non-pharmacological interventions may be of value in pregnancy symptom control thereby preventing complications of pregnancy while excluding Botox side effects.
At Rama Care, customer safety is paramount, especially the women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. The people who provide healthcare to patients must have adequate knowledge as to how the guidelines are set by the current research when it comes to Botox and pregnancy. Pregnant women should seek advice from our experts before undertaking cosmetic or medical procedures.
In cases of any consulting at Rama Care, the practitioners shall assess the medical history, and listen to and understand the patient’s concerns before advising the safest and most effective ways to approach treatment.
If you are contemplating the use of Botox for medical purposes, we will discuss with you the available other treatment which has a lesser risk to your pregnancy and your unborn baby. Thus, we aim to provide you with the desired level of care for promoting your and your unborn child’s wellbeing.