Can you eat ibuprofen when pregnant?
In this article we are going to answer: can you eat ibuprofen when pregnant, what is ibuprofen, what brands sell ibuprofen, what is the risk of taking ibuprofen when pregnant, and what can you take as a painkiller when pregnant.
Can you eat ibuprofen when pregnant?
No, you can’t take it orally nor put it on your skin. Ibuprofen is not eaten but taken orally. It is not recommended during pregnancy unless a doctor prescribes it especially if you are more than 20 weeks pregnant.
There is a link between taking ibuprofen in early pregnancy and miscarriage. Also, ibuprofen can affect a baby’s circulation and kidneys.
What is ibuprofen?
It is a medication that is widely used for pain relief in various conditions
- Headache
- Dental pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Muscle aches
- Arthritis
- Reduce fever
- Relieve minor aches and pain for common cold and flu
It works by blocking inflammation which helps to decrease swelling, pain, or fever
What brands sell ibuprofen?
The most popular brands you that sell ibuprofen are
- Advil
- Motrin
- Cedaparin
- Midol
- NeoProfen
- Profen IB
- Proprinal
- Ultraprint
What is the risk of taking ibuprofen when pregnant?
Ibuprofen is very dangerous to take after 30 weeks of pregnancy.
- It can cause premature closure of the baby’s ductus arteriosus, it can cause high blood pressure in the baby’s lungs.
- Heart problems in your baby
- Reduce amniotic fluid
Ibuprofen use during the second and third trimesters might increase your baby’s risk of developing asthma. Also, there is research that warns that taking NSAIDs during pregnancy increase the risk of
- Cleft palate
- Cleft lip
- Spina Bifida
- Gastroschisis
- Hypospadias
- Pulmonary valve stenosis
In 2017, 35 cases were reported to the FDA related to oligohydramnios or kidney problems from taking NSAIDs when pregnant.
This relation is because ibuprofen and other NSAID drugs reduce the blood flow to the kidneys and lead to reduced urine by the fetus. Amniotic fluid is the collection of fetal urine, oligohydramnios develop (a condition where there is low amniotic fluid)
What can I take for pain relief when pregnant?
Acetaminophen or paracetamol is the painkiller that almost every pregnant woman can take safely. You can also find it as Tylenol.
It is a mild pain reliever drug you can find over the counter. Even though it has been considered safe, in 2021 it was published in the Nature Reviews Endocrinology that recommends that pregnant patients
- Do not take acetaminophen or paracetamol unless medically indicated
- Consult with your doctor before taking it
- Take the smaller dose for the shortest time
Here is a list of some medications that are safe to use when pregnant. Remember no medication is 100% safe when pregnant.
How can I treat pain without taking medication?
Hydrate well and eat regularly
Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day and eat at the right times, do not go too much time without food. Pregnancy can give you hunger, you need to eat a healthy balanced diet and try not to diet.
Get some sleep
I know it is very hard to get some sleep but try to rest as much as you can.
Exercise
Once again, exercise is hard when you are in your third trimester. If you can’t sleep, let’s not talk about exercise but just a little walk is enough, 10 to 20 minutes a day to keep your blood flowing correctly.
Use some ice
If you already have a headache, try to use some ice or something cold in your head or the back of your neck.
Also if you have back pain you can try some prenatal yoga, wearing a maternity belt, light swimming, or prenatal massage.
Conclusion
This article answered can you eat ibuprofen when pregnant, what is ibuprofen, what brands sell ibuprofen, what is the risk of taking ibuprofen when pregnant, and what can you take as a painkiller when pregnant.
Citation
https://www.webmd.com/baby/pain-relievers-that-are-safe-during-pregnancy
https://www.goodrx.com/ibuprofen/can-you-take-ibuprofen-while-pregnant
