Was thalidomide thought to help with pregnancies?

Thalidomide was indeed initially marketed as a safe and effective drug to help with pregnancy-related issues, such as morning sickness and insomnia. It was widely prescribed in Europe, Canada, and several other countries from 1957 until 1962. However, it was later discovered to cause severe birth defects, particularly affecting the arms and legs of newborns. This caused a public health crisis and led to the withdrawal of the drug from the market.