Clinical Update 2026: Z-Drugs and Pregnancy
Recent studies find no increase in the risk of major malformations with first-trimester Z-drug exposure, although small increases in risk of preterm birth and low birth weight have been reported.
Is It Safe to Use Hydroxyzine During Pregnancy?
Hydroxyzine is used frequently for the management of anxiety and sleep problems during pregnancy. However, there is limited information regarding its reproductive safety.
Sedating Antihistamines for Sleep: Safe for Breastfeeding Women and Their Babies?
Sleep disruption and insomnia are commonplace among postpartum women, and they often ask what medications are compatible with breastfeeding. What about sedating antihistamines?
Essential Reads: The Use of Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs During Pregnancy
More study is needed regarding the safety of sedative-hypnotic medications during pregnancy.
Essential Reads: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs
Our data regarding prenatal exposure to BZDs and/or z-drugs and risk of neurodevelopmental outcomes is still sparse.
Essential Reads: The Use of Trazodone During Pregnancy
More study is needed regarding the safety of sedative-hypnotic medications during pregnancy.
Clinical Update 2020: Melatonin and Pregnancy
Many women experience some degree of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. For a significant number of women, the sleep disruption may be so severe as to require some type of intervention. Sleep disturbance is not [...]
Prenatal Exposure to Benzodiazepines and Sedative-Hypnotics
Over the last decade, we have seen multiple studies looking at the long term effects of prenatal exposure to antidepressants, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, on children's behavior. Â Although benzodiazepines, such as [...]
Sleep Medications: What Information Do We Have on Reproductive Safety?
It is estimated that up to 95% of women experience some type of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. While for many women the insomnia is relatively benign and may respond to simple interventions, other women experience more severe insomnia which has a significant impact on their quality of life and ability to function. Various non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agents, specifically zalepion (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zolpidem (Ambien), are commonly used for the short-term treatment of insomnia; however, information regarding the reproductive safety of these sleep aids has been sparse.
Melatonin in Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
Many women experience some degree of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. For a significant number of women, the sleep disruption may be so severe as to require some type of intervention. In a previous post, we discussed the use of different types of medications to treat insomnia during pregnancy. While these drugs are highly effective, many women with sleep problems inquire about the use of "natural" agents, such as melatonin, during pregnancy.