Health care providers face a dilemma when a pregnant womandevelops a condition that usually is treated with a pharmacologicagent. It is well known that pregnancy can induce changes in theplasma concentrations of some drugs. Understanding of thesepharmacokinetic changes, basic teratology associated with drugsas well as the pregnancy drug risk categorization can assistprofessionals in recognizing which pharmaceuticals should beused or avoided in treating a pregnant woman. The role of familyphysician in guiding drug use during preconception as well asantenatal care was elucidated. Some ethical issues regardingmaternal-fetal medicine were discussed, and the impact of alcoholand illicit drugs on the mother and the fetus was reviewed.