Frequently asked questions

Should I stop my medicine if I am pregnant or think that I may be pregnant?

No. It is very important that you do not make any changes to the medicines you are using without first consulting your doctor or midwife.

Stopping a medicine that is important to your health could cause more harm to you and your baby than any possible risks to the baby from the medicine itself. 

Who should I talk to if I’m worried about taking my medicines whilst pregnant?

It is best to speak to the healthcare provider that prescribed the medicine or your GP. If this is not possible then your midwife or a pharmacist may be able to help you.

What should I do if I can’t find a BUMPs leaflet for a particular medicine or chemical?

If you can’t find what you are looking for under our A-Z index, try entering the name of the medicine into our search facility. If you still have no luck, it may be that there is no BUMPs information leaflet about your medicine yet.

I'm not pregnant yet, is there any point to reviewing my medicines with my doctor before I start trying to conceive?

The best time to review any medicines you are taking is before you are pregnant. Speak to your GP about reviewing the medicines you are using. You will be able to discuss the risks and benefits of medication in pregnancy. You doctor may refer you to more specialist services to help you make the best choices.

Who writes the BUMPs information leaflets?

BUMPs information leaflets are researched and written by a team of scientists and a consultant obstetrician at the UK Teratology Information Service, a not-for-profit organisation funded by The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). For more information can be found here and here.

Can I ask the bumps team for advice directly?

Unfortunately, we cannot directly answer questions you may have about your medicines. If you live in the UK you can ask your healthcare provider to seek information from the UK Teratology Information Service on your behalf (www.uktis.org).

I'm not in the UK, where can I get advice?

There are a number of Teratology Information Services around the world.  Try the European Network of Teratology Information Services (www.entis-org.eu) or the American and Canadian Organisation of Teratology Information Specialists (www.mothertobaby.org) website to find a service in your area.