Is it Safe to Take Pain Killers Whilst Pregnant?
Before taking any kind of medication whilst pregnant you should consult your doctor first who will be able to advise you on the correct dose, safe medications and precautions to take as well as talk you through the risks involved. All medicines of any kind taken whilst pregnant have the likelihood that they will cross the placenta to the baby. For this reason many expectant mothers will avoid all but the very basic of medications during the first trimester when the baby is still forming its limbs and organs.
It is generally advised that basic acetaminophen (otherwise known as Paracetamol to UK residents), is safe to use whilst pregnant when taken in moderation. However, you should avoid taking medication such as Aspirin (NSAID’s) and Ibuprofen. Your doctor may prescribe you with small doses of Codeine based painkillers if required but it is important to follow the instructions given by your doctor carefully.
Many expectant mothers use Baby Tylenol (Calpol for UK residents) instead of Acetaminophen tablets because it is milder, this is perfectly fine as it only contains a diluted dose of Acetaminophen and may be safer to use in place of tablets to cut down on medicine intake. It is important to try out natural pain relief methods in place of medicine wherever possible. Make sure you exhaust all other natural alternatives before taking any pain killers as it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Take a Relaxation Bath
Taking a relaxing warm bath can help you to unwind, relax and relieve some pressure which can result in pain relief for headaches, muscle aches, back pain and more. The warm water will both relax muscles and help relive some of the pressure on muscles and bones due to the slight weightlessness in water. An aromatherapy bath can also help you to unwind, de-stress and relieve headaches although you may find your bath does this all on its own anyway.
Get a Massage
Ask your partner for a massage to help you with headaches and muscle pains. A back massage can work wonders for back pains and a head massage can also help tremendously with headaches particularly if they are stress induced. It’s important to be as relaxed as possible during your pregnancy so make sure you leave plenty of “me time” for yourself throughout your day and give yourself extra pampering.
Gentle Exercises can help Back Pain
Making sure your muscles are relaxed and warm so that they move more easily can help cut down on back pain and muscle pains during pregnancy. Try doing some gentle stretches and exercise to help relieve back pain and prevent it too. It’s important not to do anything too strenuous or any exercise you wouldn’t have done before your pregnancy. Just practice some small and gentle stretching exercises every day or make sure you are comfortable when sitting down or laying down to rest so that your back is properly supported. You can talk to your doctor for further information on some safe exercise routines to practice at home throughout your pregnancy.
