Use of herbs in early pregnancy

  I was using an herbal weight loss program during the first few weeks of my pregnancy.  It contained the herb Ma Huang, which is a stimulant.  I'm concerned I may have harmed my unborn child.  What are the possible effects of use of this herb?
Dear Christine:
There is almost nothing known about most herbal medications in pregnancy. As a generalization, stimulant medications are best avoided because they cause constriction of blood vessels. The nourishment of pregnancy is through the blood flow to the uterus and placenta.
In early pregnancy, most insults are either completely repaired or so severe that the pregnancy miscarries. Approximately 3% of all babies born have congenital differences. Many can be recognized by a combination of blood tests (for example, alpha fetoprotein) and ultrasound images at about 4 months into the pregnancy.
This material is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered a formal medical evaluation. If your have specific questions, please contact your primary physician.
Keywords: Herbs