Table of contents:
- Take cholesterol medication for pregnant women
- Apparently, cholesterol will naturally increase during pregnancy
- Instead of taking medication, try to do other, safer ways
The body cholesterol level should not be more than 200 mg / dL, with LDL cholesterol below 130 mg / dL. If more than this limit, you will be advised to take cholesterol medication. Under normal conditions, you may be able to easily take this medication without worrying about adverse effects. However, it is a different story if women who have high cholesterol are pregnant. So, is cholesterol medication for pregnant women safe?
Take cholesterol medication for pregnant women
Cholesterol drugs that are most often consumed to reduce high cholesterol levels in the body are statins. There are many different types of statin drugs, all of which work in a similar way. These drugs block the formation of cholesterol in the liver as well as prevent blockages in blood vessels.
Unfortunately, you have to be smarter in sorting out which drugs can be consumed during pregnancy and which are not. The reason is, not all types of drugs are safe to drink during pregnancy, including this cholesterol-lowering drug.
The FDA, as the Food and Drug Administration in the United States equivalent to the BPOM, does not recommend the use of cholesterol drugs for pregnant women. Because this drug has the risk of endangering the uterus, it can even cause birth defects in babies.
Dr. Brian Iriye, an obstetrician in Las Vegas, explained that the cholesterol medication for pregnant women that has been taken will enter the body and cross the baby's placenta. This is where the possible bad side effects begin to arise on the developing fetus in the abdomen.
That is why many health experts strictly prohibit the use of cholesterol drugs for pregnant women because they can endanger the condition of the mother and her future baby.
Apparently, cholesterol will naturally increase during pregnancy
Increased cholesterol during pregnancy is not always bad. As stated by Carolyn Gundell, as a nutritionist at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut, United States, that cholesterol levels during pregnancy will indeed increase by between 25-50 percent.
Dr. Kavita Sharma, director of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, added that this increase depends on gestational age, generally taking place during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. No need to worry, this number will return to normal within four to six weeks after giving birth.
In essence, it is normal for pregnant women to experience elevated cholesterol levels - including total cholesterol, triglycerides, "bad" or LDL cholesterol, to "good" or HDL cholesterol, which can rise much higher than other types of cholesterol.
In fact, total cholesterol will vary between 175-200 mg / dL in early pregnancy and will continue to increase until it reaches 250 mg / dL until the end of pregnancy.
Not without reason, cholesterol is an important nutrient needed during pregnancy. This is because cholesterol plays a big role in supporting the development of the fetal brain, the development of fetal body cells, and in preparing breast milk for breastfeeding.
In addition, cholesterol will also increase the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone which help maintain a healthy pregnancy. In short, it can be said that the cholesterol levels of pregnant and nonpregnant women will certainly be very different.
Instead of taking medication, try to do other, safer ways
A few exceptions for those of you who already have high cholesterol before pregnancy, you should consult further with your doctor about alternatives that can be done to prevent body cholesterol levels from increasing rapidly.
Setting a healthy diet and exercising regularly are generally recommended to keep cholesterol stable. Dr. Sharma recommends that you maintain your own health by adopting a balanced diet and regular exercise before, during and after pregnancy.
As much as possible, choose food sources that are low in fat and high in fiber. You can eat more vegetables and fruits in order to increase your intake of vitamins and minerals. Even though you often crave these foods while pregnant, still consider their nutritional content for your little one in the stomach.
Don't forget, accompanied by exercise that will help manage cholesterol levels in the body. Choose moderate exercise that is safe for pregnant women to do, the important thing is that the body remains relaxed and gets the positive benefits. In addition to regulating cholesterol levels, exercise during pregnancy also aims to prepare for a smooth delivery.
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