Sodium bicarbonate Pregnancy Warnings
Due to the undesirable side effects of sodium loading--edema and weight gain--the use of alternative antacids has been advocated by some experts.
In one unblinded, controlled study of the maternal and fetal effects of 150 mEq of sodium bicarbonate, use of the drug was associated with significantly elevated maternal arterial pH, pC02, and base excess and significantly elevated umbilical arterial pH, p02, and base excess at delivery. There were apparent adverse effects of the infusion on the mothers, and no mention of adverse effects on the fetuses or newborns.
Sodium bicarbonate has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. There are no animal or human reproductive data. Some experts consider the use of sodium bicarbonate as an antacid during human pregnancy to be relatively contraindicated because of the availability of preferable therapeutic agents. Sodium bicarbonate should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
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