I am annoyed today. So since the beginning of this pregnancy I have had insomnia. Midwife, GP, pharmacist all said suck it up, nothing can be done. Did some research and discovered that the active ingredient in Sominex, an over the counter sleeping pill, is prescribed for morning sickness, so obviously safe in pregnancy. Mentioned this to consultant ten weeks ago. She said, 'oh yes, that's fine, we often suggest women take anti histamines for various things and this is just the same' etc etc. So have merrily been taking it. Not every night, just when desperate or when a good nights sleep is needed because big day at work or something. Went to pharmacist today and she was horrified, refused to sell me it and told me off. She said consultants don't know about drug prescribing and I should listen to her. She said that its safety hadn't been established, you shouldn't take anything that is absolutely necessary and that I must stop now.
Now in some ways I see her point. I understand that as a starting position drugs in pregnancy = bad and should be avoided only when absolutely necessary. However I had got to the point that I was barely able to function and this has revolutionised my life. I was always falling over and making mistakes and now I am free from all that. Therefore my view was that, on balance, this could be justified. And evidently the Consultant agreed. But now I am worried. Not hugely because my own research does not reveal it to cause any problems in studies, but obvioulsy they don't routinely test drugs on pregnant women. In these circumstances I know you lot would say, 'ask your midwife' but I know she thinks drugs = bad, all the time, for everything. It's really just the Consultant who has ok'd it, and its fair to say the Consultant may not be the best person to make a call on these things. ARGH.