[Therapeutic trials in pregnant women]

The increasing use of medications during pregnancy and labour leads to the question of their true effectiveness and the absence of harmful effects, for both mother and foetus. Study of the action of medications given to the pregnant woman requires clinical trials with precise methodology including, as an essential stage, the definition of an experimental protocol. Random distribution of the subjects to the various groups and statistical analysis of the results based upon objective criteria are essential. No study of the action of a medication as far as mother and foetus should be undertaken without prior parmacological and pharmacokinetic trials.