If you are a woman considering an Active FX treatment, your plastic surgeon will most likely ask you if you are pregnant or currently nursing. If your answer to either of these is yes, then your doctor will advise you to wait until after the breast feeding period before going through with the procedure. The reason behind this is the high hazard potential that the Active FX procedure can impose on fetal development.
Antibiotics and Antiviral Medications
In preparation for treatment, your doctor will put you on a strict regimen of antibiotics and antiviral medications, such as Clindamycin and Valtrek, to reduce the chance of post procedure infections. These agents are currently considered Class B medications for pregnancy, which reduces the affirmation of their safety. It has been proven that Clindamycin and Valtrek will pass through breast milk, making it unsafe for your baby to ingest.
Anesthesia
For all Active FX patients, application of a topical anesthesia will be necessary. Studies have shown that anesthesia can cause changes in blood oxygen saturation and stimulate nervous responses, which may be harmful for the fetus. Some studies have associated the use of anesthesia during pregnancy with an increased potential for preterm labor and fetal abnormalities.
Stress
Though it is unlikely for the laser to cause direct harm to the baby, the procedure itself will induce extra stress upon pregnancy and can cause hormonal changes in the mother’s body. Studies have shown that these factors can lead to long term side effects.
Though there is no definite evidence to show that going through an Active FX treatment during pregnancy will inflict harm upon the baby, it is a high risk that you will want to avoid.
