Medical Expertise Please: What Harmful Effects Can Be Caused By Taking Ginkgo Biloba During Pregnancy?
I understand that the herbal supplement Ginkgo Biloba assists in easing depression and promoting mental acuity. Information I’d reserached even supported taking the herb during pregnancy to encourage prenatal brain development. I had been taking 2 capsules (120mg) regularly prior to my pregnancy, but recently, I cautiously took only one and only once. Now I’m finding information that actually cautions against taking the herb during pregnancy. What major harm and/or symptoms typically result from taking Gingko Biloba while pregnant? Could I have already done any irreparable damage? Thanks.
Thanks much for the heads up, Danielle. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t imagine putting my or my unborn’s health in the hands of a public forum. I have slightly more functioning neurons than that.
I usually just pop in every now and again with a concern or two in between visits, or if I’m looking to weigh outside perspectives, or if I just generally have a question mark that pops into my head about something or other. As a busy senior switching institutions, I don’t always find time to extensively research topics, in addition to the ones I’m bound to for a grade.
Life’s so much simpler with my little green-and-white asterik and thought bubble. It wouldn’t seem so, but when you get past the immature, there are actually some great minds at Answers. I’ve gotten some awesome advice from law, med, and psych students, professionals, and some cool moms, such as yourself. But thanks for the concern!
And thanks to everyone who contributed!
Tagged with: Biloba • Caused • During • Effects • Expertise • Ginkgo • Harmful • Medical • please • Pregnancy • Taking
Filed under: Prenatal Depression Symptoms
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Okay, sorry to laugh, but asking for medical expertise on yahoo answers? Please tell me you don’t take YA’s this seriously. Call and talk to your doctor before doing anything, no matter where you get your info from always always talk to your doctor FIRST!
The only thing I have seen that can result from taking Gingko Biloba during pregnancy is an increased risk of bleeding. The site cautioned against using it closer to labor because bleeding time after labor would be prolonged which could lead to complications. There is also a risk that the fetus wouldn’t develop properly because the colchiline found in gingko collects in the womb, the same way that caffiene does. This is only a problem if you take more than reccomended, but since you only took one you should be fine.
You should be careful about taking herbs and herbal teas during pregnancy as many herbs that seem safe can be detrimental.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
This is what I found about it: “Ginkgo biloba is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It contains a substance called colchicine, which may be harmful to the fetus.” Various different websites stated that same information. Hope this helps!
The main risk is that these products are not monitored for potency or purity so you never really know what dose you are taking.
But specifically, Gingko can cause bleeding – anything from nosebleed to severe bleeding. This could be extremely dangerous for you and your baby.
Better not to risk it, don’t you think?
hey, honestly in my opinion, u should refrain from taking anything that ur doc didn’t prescribe u or didn’t give u the o.k. to take. especially that anything can harm ur baby without u knowing.
i never asked about ginkgo baloba, but i can imagine it’s not helping ur fetus grow. i advise u speak to ur obstetrician .he/she can tell u better than anyone else can. also if ur motherly instinct is making u feel unsure about anything ur doing or not doing u should always trust that first, it’s a very powerful source we as mothers have, so u should always use it. i hope u discontinued taking them.
folic acid,iron and omega-3 is what u should b taking. get ur doc to prescribe them for u, these r very important in aiding ur babies development god bless and congrats on ur love bump! take care