Pregnant woman surrounded by pills and question marks, representing medication safety concerns.

First Trimester Medication Use: What Every Expecting Parent Needs to Know

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A multi-hospital survey in Cameroon reveals crucial insights into medication safety during early pregnancy. Are you aware of the risks?"

Pregnancy is a journey filled with excitement and anticipation, but it also comes with a unique set of health considerations. One of the most critical periods is the first trimester, when the fetus is most vulnerable to developmental issues. During this time, many women may need to take medications for various reasons, but how safe are these drugs?

A recent multi-hospital survey conducted in Cameroon sheds light on this important issue, revealing some surprising trends in medication use among pregnant women. The study highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and safer medication practices during early pregnancy.

This article breaks down the key findings of this research, offering expecting parents essential information on medication safety, potential risks, and how to make informed decisions for a healthy pregnancy.

Medication Use in Early Pregnancy: The Cameroon Study

Pregnant woman surrounded by pills and question marks, representing medication safety concerns.

Researchers interviewed 795 pregnant women attending urban and rural hospitals in Cameroon between March and August 2015. The goal was to understand the prevalence and types of medications used during the first trimester and to identify factors associated with medication use.

The study revealed that a significant majority of women – 73.2% – took at least one orthodox (Western) medication during their first trimester. This number underscores the widespread use of medications in early pregnancy, highlighting the importance of understanding the potential implications.

High Prevalence: 68.3% of women used non-pregnancy related medications, and 42.3% used pregnancy-related orthodox medications.
Anti-Infectives: A concerning 44% of women took anti-infectives, including antimalarials (33.6%) and antibiotics (20.8%).
Common Medications: Analgesics (48.8%) and antianaemics (38.6%) were also frequently used.
Self-Prescription: A notable 12.8% of women self-prescribed medications, raising concerns about potential misuse and lack of professional guidance.

One of the most alarming findings was the use of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, an antimalarial drug contraindicated during the first trimester, by 13% of the women. This highlights a critical gap in awareness and adherence to medication safety guidelines.

Protecting Your Baby: What You Can Do

The findings from this study emphasize the importance of informed decision-making and seeking professional guidance regarding medication use during pregnancy. Expecting parents should openly discuss all medications – including over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies – with their healthcare providers. Early and regular antenatal care, coupled with clear communication, is key to ensuring a safe and healthy pregnancy for both mother and child.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s12884-018-2081-x, Alternate LINK

Title: First Trimester Medication Use In Pregnancy In Cameroon: A Multi-Hospital Survey

Subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Aminkeng Zawuo Leke, Helen Dolk, Maria Loane, Karen Casson, Nkwati Michel Maboh, Susan Etta Maeya, Lerry Dibo Ndumbe, Pauline Bessem Nyenti, Obale Armstrong, Derick Etiendem

Published: 2018-11-20

Everything You Need To Know

What percentage of pregnant women in the Cameroon study used medications during their first trimester, and what types were most common?

The multi-hospital survey in Cameroon indicated that 73.2% of the women surveyed used at least one orthodox (Western) medication during their first trimester. A high percentage, 68.3%, took medications not related to the pregnancy, while 42.3% used pregnancy-related orthodox medications. It's crucial to consult healthcare providers about medication use during this period to mitigate risks and ensure the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. This does not cover reasons behind this medication use, nor the socio-economic factors that may influence it.

According to the Cameroon study, what percentage of women used anti-infectives, such as antimalarials and antibiotics, during their first trimester, and why is this a concern?

The Cameroon study revealed that 44% of women used anti-infectives during their first trimester, including 33.6% taking antimalarials and 20.8% taking antibiotics. This is concerning because some anti-infectives can pose risks to the developing fetus. It’s vital for pregnant women to discuss potential risks with their healthcare providers and explore safer alternatives when available. This raises further questions regarding the specific anti-infectives used and potential resistance issues.

What percentage of women in the Cameroon study self-prescribed medications during their first trimester, and what are the potential dangers of this practice?

The study highlighted that 12.8% of women self-prescribed medications during their first trimester. This is problematic because self-prescription can lead to misuse, incorrect dosages, and potential harm to both the mother and the developing fetus. Without professional guidance, women may unknowingly take medications that are contraindicated or interact negatively with other substances. This number underscores the importance of antenatal care where prescriptions are managed by medical professionals.

What specific antimalarial drug was found to be used by women in the Cameroon study despite being contraindicated during the first trimester, and what implications does this have?

The Cameroon study revealed that 13% of women used sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, an antimalarial drug, during their first trimester, even though it is contraindicated during this period. This raises significant concerns about adherence to medication safety guidelines and the need for better education among healthcare providers and expecting mothers. This is not an isolated incident; the data showed 73.2% of women surveyed used some orthodox medications. It highlights gaps in knowledge and awareness about drug safety during pregnancy.

Based on the Cameroon study's findings, what steps can expecting parents take to protect their baby from the risks associated with medication use during the first trimester?

Expecting parents can protect their baby by openly discussing all medications – including over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies – with their healthcare providers. Early and regular antenatal care, coupled with clear communication, is key to ensuring a safe and healthy pregnancy for both mother and child. Understanding the specific risks associated with medications during the first trimester is crucial for informed decision-making, which the study advocates. However the study does not cover how doctors choose medication given the risks involved.