Sedative use during pregnancy safe

The use of sedative drugs during pregnancy does not seem to negatively affect birth or pregnancy outcomes, a recent study has shown.

The study included 6,231 women (mean age, 28.5±5.2 years) who had given singleton births between 2009 and 2015. Most (n=6,029) did not use sedatives while pregnant, while the remaining 20 did. Users tended to be older and more commonly smoked during pregnancy. Sedative use qualified as the purchase of sedative drugs at least once in the period spanning from 90 days before to after pregnancy.

The use of sedative medications did not significantly affect pregnancy outcomes. The mean duration of pregnancy among women with no such usage was 39.4±2.0 weeks, only slightly longer than in the group that used sedatives (39.2±2.2 weeks; p=0.42). Preterm births (<37 gestational weeks) also occurred at comparable frequencies between groups (p=0.77).

In contrast, caesarean deliveries were significantly more common among sedative users (p=0.042), particularly urgent and elective procedures.

Birth outcomes were likewise largely unaffected by sedative use. Infant birth weight, head circumference, Apgar scores in 1 minute, as well as the need for neonatal intensive care admission, respirator use, resuscitation with intubation, and antibiotic medication, were all statistically comparable between groups.

The only exception was the ponderal index, which was significantly elevated in users (p=0.016). Head circumference in girl infants also tended to be smaller among mothers who used sedatives during pregnancy (p=0.052).