Pregnancy, prescription medicines and the potential risk of herb-drug interactions: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Pregnant women are routinely prescribed medicines while self-medicating with herbal natural products to treat predominantly pregnancy related conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the potential for herb-drug interactions (HDIs) in pregnant women and to explore possible herb-drug interactions and their potential clinical significance.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of women during early pregnancy or immediately postpartum in North-East Scotland.

Smoking cessation in pregnancy.

Background: Pregnant women who continue to smoke expose their developing fetus to a wide range of risks. Assisting these patients to stop smoking can be an important intervention for the health of the baby and the mother. The management of pregnant smokers can be challenging, due to the potential risks of pharmacotherapy.