An Overview of Passion Flower and Pregnancy
Passion flower is an herbal supplement. It is most often used to treat
insomnia or
anxiety, but it is claimed to be useful for other conditions as well. As with most supplements, it is not known whether passion flower is safe for use in pregnancy. In fact, there is some concern that passion flower could cause problems for pregnant women.
Can I Take Passion Flower During Pregnancy?
It is not known whether passion flower is safe for pregnant women. There are no reliable studies that show that passion flower is safe (or unsafe), since it has not been adequately studied in any pregnant women or animals. Some of the active components of passion flower may cause uterine stimulation, which could increase the risk of preterm labor and premature birth.
Many women try to avoid medications in pregnancy and turn to herbal remedies as an alternative, assuming that "natural" automatically means "safe." However, natural products can be quite toxic. For instance, many poisons and toxins are natural products. It just does not make sense to use an herbal supplement for which there is no information available about safety during pregnancy.
Keep in mind that just because other pregnant women have used a natural product without problems does not mean that it is safe. It takes a large group of pregnant women taking a particular medication (or herb) to see if it increases the risk of problems (such as miscarriages or birth defects), since these problems usually occur infrequently.
If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to ask your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement. You and your healthcare provider can consider the possible risks and benefits of using passion flower in your particular situation, as well as any other treatment alternatives. Your healthcare provider can also be a good resource for safe ways to deal with insomnia or anxiety during pregnancy.
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