Botox And Pregnancy: Err On The Side Of Caution
When it concerns use of Botox during pregnancy, according to tests conducted on animals it was found that Botox causes low fetal birth weight as well as miscarriages and even delays in development of bones. This of course was different to what was noticed when pregnant women got exposed to botulinum toxin via food poisoning or through accidentally ingesting it, because there were no real ill effects noticed in the fetus that would give pregnant women anything to be concerned about. Nevertheless, it is much better to consult your doctor in order to understand the possible consequences related to Botox and pregnancy.
Used Primarily For Cosmetic Purposes
Essentially, Botox is used for cosmetic purposes and thus it is safe to assume that Botox during pregnancy is not the right choice because there are many risks associated - many of which are not even known. Also, according to the FDA's system of classification of risks associated with use of Botox with regard to the fetus, it has been found that using Botox during pregnancy is not safe.
As mentioned, in the case of pregnant mice, Botox actually caused delays in bone development as well as lower fetal weight, and even when it was used on pregnant rabbits the end result was far from satisfactory because miscarriages occurred as well as birth defects.
The fact of the matter is that the effects of Botox during pregnancy have not been properly studied in pregnant women though sometimes these women have been exposed to Botox through accidental use and so, it is reasonable to conclude from studying the effects of such accidental use that the botulinum toxin will not do enough to cross placenta to the yet-to-be-born baby.
The risks therefore with regard to Botox and pregnancy are far more than any advantages, and in fact, even when it concerns cosmetic use of Botox during pregnancy, doctors do not recommend its use. Thus, in case you are a pregnant woman and wondering about Botox and pregnancy, it would be wise to first check with your doctor to know for sure whether it is indeed wise to proceed further or not.
Once the doctor has studied the possible risk factors and the perceived benefits of using Botox during pregnancy, you will then get their assessment and thus can proceed accordingly. However, given the fact that there is not enough information available with regard to the pros and cons of Botox and pregnancy it is therefore impossible to safely conclude on the efficacy of taking it or not. It may thus be best to err on the side of safety and look for alternatives rather than risk the life of an unborn baby through wrong use of Botox during pregnancy.
