Pregnancy is an extremely delicate time, particularly during its first trimester when organs begin to form in an unborn baby. Even minimal exposure to drugs could have adverse effects on its development and lead to miscarriage or birth defects.
Paracetamol can be taken during pregnancy with minimal risks if dose and duration are appropriately managed. Long-term paracetamol exposure has been associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in rodent studies; however, these must be interpreted carefully.
1. Do not take paracetamol if you are pregnant
Pregnant women suffering from discomfort and fever often turn to paracetamol for relief, but many new mothers worry about its safety during gestation. Studies have linked maternal paracetamol use with potentially long-term side-effects on their baby, such as urogenital disorders or neurodevelopmental issues.
These findings have caused some health professionals to raise concerns over paracetamol use during gestation, while Dr Alex Polyakov from Melbourne’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology notes these studies contain major shortcomings which must be considered carefully.
He explains that this study relied solely on self-reported data and excluded many women suffering from preeclampsia; and adds that genetic and lifestyle factors play a part in risk for preeclampsia development.
These studies use rodents, who do not share human physiology. Paracetamol may act as an endocrine disruptor in rodent studies; thus interfering with hormones and leading to abnormalities; however, this doesn’t always translate to human pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Paracetamol can be safely taken during gestation when taken at recommended dosage levels; that is, one or two 500mg tablets up to four times per day and no more than eight within 24 hours. Before beginning medication for pain and fever symptoms, however, it’s wise to consult a health care provider and explore alternative therapies such as resting in bed.
2. Do not take paracetamol if you are breastfeeding
Studies have linked painkiller use during pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as children’s behavioral problems. But these studies are subject to interpretation and have many limitations, including not directly showing that taking paracetamol directly caused these issues – it could just as well be unrelated illnesses necessitating painkillers which led to them.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the safest medications you can take during pregnancy. It can provide pain relief and fever reduction. For best results, follow dosage instructions carefully; do not exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours as doing so could result in liver damage.
If you are breastfeeding, avoid taking paracetamol as this medication will pass into breast milk in small amounts and is unlikely to pose a threat. Before taking any medication while breastfeeding, always consult with a healthcare provider or midwife.
Although medications available over-the-counter are safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, you should still obtain your medications on prescription to monitor for any possible side effects. Pregnancy can be tiring and stressful; therefore it’s essential that you look after yourself by getting appropriate painkillers for yourself.
3. Do not take paracetamol if you are taking any other medication
Recent scientific studies have linked paracetamol use during gestation to various health risks for babies. It should be noted, however, that these studies do not demonstrate conclusively whether taking paracetamol directly causes these negative results – rather it could be due to unrelated illnesses requiring medication intake which caused such adverse outcomes in their own right.
Studies do not account for how often or in what amounts pregnant women take paracetamol, which could have an enormous effect on whether the medicine harms an unborn baby. Therefore, pregnant women must remember these restrictions when making decisions about how best to treat pain or fever during their gestation.
Paracetamol may be safely used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy to relieve discomfort and fever as long as dosage instructions are strictly observed. Non-medication treatments should always be sought first when possible for pain or fever relief.
Before taking any medication during pregnancy, it is wise to speak to a healthcare professional such as a GP or pharmacist to address your concerns. This is especially important during the first trimester when damage can be done to an unborn baby. If medication must be taken, ensure you take only what is necessary and at its lowest dose for as short a duration possible.
4. Do not take paracetamol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Prescription and over-the-counter painkillers such as Ibuprofen (Nurofen) should never be taken during pregnancy without first consulting your physician or midwife; sometimes the potential benefits outweigh potential risks, and your healthcare provider can advise if taking them is safe for both mother and baby.
Paracetamol is an effective painkiller and fever reducer, working by blocking some chemical messengers in your brain that signal pain, as well as altering how blood travels in your body. During pregnancy and breastfeeding it’s safe to take in recommended amounts; small amounts appear in breast milk which should pose no harm, helping ease any associated feeding pains.
A recent report released by scientists from around the world has issued a cautionary tale regarding paracetamol use during pregnancy, warning of its potential to have long-lasting fetal development impacts. Published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology, this research study calls for improved education among healthcare providers and patients as well as tracking medication use during gestation and more studies exploring how different drugs affect developing babies.
