# Teratology information service - Safety of medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding Keywords: - [Safety of medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding](< /en/search?q=Safety of medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding >) We provide information on medications and other external factors that have an adverse impact on fertility, pregnancy and fetal development. We also advise you on all medication issues during breastfeeding. You can contact us when you are only just planning the pregnancy. ## Pregnant and breastfeeding people On our website you can find general information about medicine safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please contact us either by phone or via the chat. When the service is not open, please contact your local maternity clinic. We make no comment on how the mother, the pregnancy, or the child are cared for, and we do not prescribe medications. If you want to talk about exposure and risks at work, please contact your occupational health care service. ## [ Teratological information service chat (opens in new window, links to another website) ](https://www.terveyskyla.fi/naistalo/raskaus/teratologinen-tietopalvelu/teratologinen-tietopalvelun-chat) In our chat service, we can provide generalized answers concerning the suitability of particular medications for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Our chat service is open on Mon and Thu from 13:00 to 15:00. Go to the service  ## Health care professionals We can also be contacted by health care professionals, pharmacies, the authorities, and the media. Health care professionals may also contact us with patient-related queries via the online contact form bellow. We do not respond to questions sent by the general public by e-mail. ## [ Online contact form for health care professionals (opens in new window, links to another website) ](https://ammattilaiset.terveyskyla.fi/palvelut/teratologinen-tietopalvelu) Health care professionals can contact us via the online contact form. The form is available only in Finnish, but can be filled in in English. The service needs identification. Open online contact form  ## Hot topic: Influenza vaccine Immunity decreases during pregnancy, increasing the risk of getting a severe influenza infection and potential complications, such as pneumonia. For this reason, the influenza vaccine is recommended for all pregnant individuals regardless of the stage of pregnancy. Inactivated influenza vaccines have not been shown to increase fetal risk and are considered safe. The influenza vaccine can also be safely administered during breastfeeding. ## [ Hoping to get pregnant ](/en/patient/how-get-help/medicine-safety-information-mothers-teratological-information-service/hoping) Many exposures can affect fertility and the weeks during the first trimester of pregnancy are a vulnerable time for fetal malformations. Already when planning pregnancy, it is important to pay attention to what can adversely affect fertility or fetal development. Read more about what's important to take into account when planning pregnancy  ## [ Pregnancy and folic acid (opens in new window, links to another website) ](https://www.hus.fi/en/patient/how-get-help/medicine-safety-information-mothers-teratological-information-service-2) Adequate intake of folate (dietary form), a vitamin of the B complex, and folic acid (a form in vitamin supplements) is important for the normal development of the fetus. In several population-based studies, the adequate intake of folic acid has been shown to reduce the... Read more about the significance of folic acid  ## Matters to note while pregnant or breastfeeding [ Medications and vaccines ](/en/patient/how-get-help/medicine-safety-information-mothers-teratological-information-service)  [ Illness ](/en/patient/how-get-help/teratology-information-service-safety-medication-during-pregnancy-and)  [ Intoxicants ](/en/patient/how-get-help/medicine-safety-information-mothers-teratological-information-service-0)  [ Other exposure ](/en/patient/how-get-help/teratology-information-service-safety-medication-during-pregnancy-and-0)  ## Contact information and opening hours ### Phone [ Phone, Phone: 09 4717 6500 ]() #### Service hours Mon–Fri 9:00–13:00 Updated: 09.01.2026 Print this page