Identifying teratogens

A teratogen is a drug, chemical or environmental agent that harms a fetus and cause birth defects or causes a mother's pregnancy to end. 

Over the years, researchers have investigated thousands of medications and dozens have be found to have taratogenic effects in humans. Still, it is always important for a woman who is pregnant or suspects she is pregnant to ask her doctor about the safety of a medication, as well as the safety of a vitamin, mineral or herbal supplement.