Is Benadryl ok for allergies?

[ice_chick]

I was wondering if anyone has taken Benadryl for allergies while pregnant & if everything was fine with the baby. My midwife has given me some suggestions for controlling my allergies, but nothing works & my friend who is seeing an OB has a list of approved meds & Benadryl is on the list. Anyone take it & if so how many times a week did you take it? I would only take it once a day at night because that is when they are the worst & I can't afford to take it during the day because of the drowsiness. I am afraid to take it every day, but I really need it. Help!

[mary3mama]

I'd try homeopathics and a 'breathe right' strip first. Benadryl is something that I don't take, ever, because it dries me out terribly.

Homeopathics are believed to be entirely safe (by homeopaths, at least) during pregnancy and nursing. You might want to check at a store where they stock some and see if you can find a "allergy" combo homeopathic and see if it gives you some relief. There are TONS of individual remedies that could bring you relief, but lining it up with your symptoms takes some time and knowledge. If you have access to an experienced homeopath, I'd consult with them...

HTH,
student-homeopath

[RosesToys]

Benadryl is considered quite safe during pregnancy. My OB has told me that it is safe to take during pregnancy both for when you can't sleep and for allegies. I have taken it during this pregnancy and took it quite a bit when pg with dd too. She is now a happy healthy 4 1/2 year old with no problems, so it didn't seem to hurt her! :-)

Unfortunately my allergies are a lot worse now than they were with dd, since we had recently moved to California and my body hadn't yet developed full-blown allergies to all of the unique things we have here. lol

Frankly I wouldn't worry about Benadryl much. My OB is extremely conservative in many ways. He doesn't even want me to get my teeth cleaned while pregnant or take my anti-depressant in the first trimester if I can do without it. But Benadryl he doesn't worry about at all. :)

[ice_chick]

Benadryl is considered quite safe during pregnancy. My OB has told me that it is safe to take during pregnancy both for when you can't sleep and for allegies. I have taken it during this pregnancy and took it quite a bit when pg with dd too. She is now a happy healthy 4 1/2 year old with no problems, so it didn't seem to hurt her! :-)

Thanks so much. That is just the reply I was looking for. Clinical tests on animals are one thing, I wanted to hear from a human that everything turned out ok. I'll take it tonight & hopefully get some sleep!!

[boscopup]

I took Benadryl to treat an allergic reaction when I was 6 weeks along in this pregnancy. I'm only 12 weeks, so can't say if my baby has 3 eyes or 2 heads or anything. :lol But thus far, the baby is fine. ;)

I had called the OB because I had an itchy rash all over my body and the balls of my feet had swollen up (just on the bottom - they felt numb). It was really weird. I still don't know what caused it. But anyway, the nurse said to take Benadryl, so I did. I think I ended up taking 2 total.

I also agree with trying homeopathics. Maybe use the Benadryl in the meantime while you research what homeopathic remedy to try (or if you can go to a classical homeopath - that'd be best!). I wouldn't hesitate to use homeopathics during pregnancy, but I do try to avoid regular medicines at least during the first trimester unless I really need them.

[eco_mama]

I don't suggest taking any non-prescription OR prescription 'medicine' ever. You should definitely check out homeopathics. :)

[mum2tori]

Yes, Benadryl is considered safe during pregnancy. I've had to take it for various reasons through my different pregnancies. All the babies were "normal". ;-)

The four standard OTC meds that are considered safe during pregnancy:
Sudafed (little red pill version only, its the lowest dosage and not "non-drowsy").
Benadryl
Robitussin
Tylenol

You can also take Motrin/Ibuprophen if you really need to during first & second trimester then during the third trimester its a :nono.

[stayathomecristi]

If you do end up taking, my suggestion would be to try 1/2 dose and see if that helps your symptoms. You may want to try the children's version.

[egoldber]

I am extremely sensitive to benadryl, but my allergies have been SOOO bad this season, I have needed to take it. I take children's benadryl. I start with half a teaspoon (2.5 ml) and add 1 ml every 2 hours or so. For reference 2.5 ml is half what my 4 year old DD's dose is. But she's like her daddy and it doesn't make her sleepy at all (or hyper). I could never take an adult's dose of benadryl, or even half of an adult dose, it would totally wipe me out.

[Herausgeber]

I take claratin everyday, and benedryl occassionally, when my allergies make it impossible to sleep. My midwife cleared both as being perfectly safe.