. If the summary of product characteristics suggests a risk, nurses should refer the women to the prescriber. However, nurses need to remain up to date with the literature, especially as important studies continue to emerge, even in relatively well- studied areas. Although clinicians, pharmaceutical companies and regulators are increasingly aware of the risks, treatment with a potential teratogen is sometimes unavoidable and new hazards may emerge. So nurses should report any anomalies in women exposed to medicines during pregnancy, counsel women about the risks and benefits, and ensure, as far as possible, that the patient adheresto any restriction. Remaining aware of the ever-present danger of iatrogenic teratogenicity should potentially help to reduce the risk of one of the most distressing paediatric problems. The thalidomide and DES tragedies remain sobering reminders of the devastating consequences of iatrogenic teratogenicity.