Can you get Botox or Dysport while pregnant?

Thank GOD we screen people before each injection, but a lot of times patients forget what I ask every 3 months.  So occasionally, when we get to the question, “are you nursing or pregnant?”, a patient looks me in the eyes with confusion and disbelief and expresses concern by saying “are you saying, that I can’t get Botox because I am pregnant?” I verbalize that this is correct, and that you are not able to receive Botox if you are pregnant.  I have had some pretty distraught ladies over that one because they do the math and realize it’s going to be a looooooong time before that forehead is smooth again.  UGH!  

There was a saying back in my derm days that went something like you only prescribe water to pregnant woman.  It basically was some poor medical humor to remind you to not touch a pregnant woman with a ten-foot pole, so you steer clear of any liability to the unborn child. 

So, while we don’t know if Botox is harmful to the unborn child, there are no woman or drug companies willing to do the study.  Sorry!  However, in the event you get your Botox/Dysport/Xeomin and then find out you are pregnant (SURPRISE!), there is no need to freak out!  There are plenty of woman this has happened to including some in my practice.  Retrospectively, nothing has been found to suggest these injectables cause any problems to the unborn child.  However, we still play it safe and avoid injections if you think you could be pregnant or if you have seen that Big Fat Positive!

So, to sum it up, it’s one more sacrifice we have to make for these little angles in our bellies.  But on the brighter side, it will make you appreciate that beauty treatment so much more when you actually can get it again! XOXO Loralee