Painkillers / birth defects
Discussion
My Wife is still struggling with severe jaw problems resulting from a car crash 2 yrs ago.
Her GP has prescribed some painkillers/anti-inflammatories, but these could potentially cause birth defects.
Is there any point in her going back and asking for other strong painkillers without this side effect, or do they all cause problems?
We are "open to the idea" of conception at the minute, and clearly this would not be compatible with birth defect painkillers.
She's really fed up as it is nearly impossible to get an appointment with her GP, and she is in severe pain.
Her GP has prescribed some painkillers/anti-inflammatories, but these could potentially cause birth defects.
Is there any point in her going back and asking for other strong painkillers without this side effect, or do they all cause problems?
We are "open to the idea" of conception at the minute, and clearly this would not be compatible with birth defect painkillers.
She's really fed up as it is nearly impossible to get an appointment with her GP, and she is in severe pain.
They're both anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Go talk to your GP and if necessary get a referral to an obstetrician.
SWMBO couldn't take NSAIDs for a cartilage tear while she was pregnant because she was expecting twins and they were likely to be early. With a singleton pregnancy that's likely to go full term the advice might be different.
SWMBO couldn't take NSAIDs for a cartilage tear while she was pregnant because she was expecting twins and they were likely to be early. With a singleton pregnancy that's likely to go full term the advice might be different.
Diclofenac and naproxen ARE both painkillers. They are both COX inhibitors. They have been linked with spontaneous abortion and birth defects. The doctor at St Mary's who tried to abort his secretary's love child used diclofenac, amongst other things.
Codeine should be ok in pregnancy, and is not known to cause birth defects. Not advisable in breast feeding. Fentanyl is only used in extreme cases, and I wouldn't recommend it. Codeine is in paracodol and solpadeine, both available over the counter. The GP can prescribe higher strength tablets if needed.
Codeine should be ok in pregnancy, and is not known to cause birth defects. Not advisable in breast feeding. Fentanyl is only used in extreme cases, and I wouldn't recommend it. Codeine is in paracodol and solpadeine, both available over the counter. The GP can prescribe higher strength tablets if needed.
HWMBO is an obstetrician and I'm a midwife.
Avoid NSAIDs.
Codeine and paracetamol are ok but the codeine can cause really bad constipation, which is even worse in pregnancy.
I would say get the jaw pain under control before trying to get pregnant. Around 80% of pregnancies (known or never realised) result in miscarriage. If, God forbid, this happened, you don't want to taunt yourselves with all the "what ifs".
Healthy mum prior to pregnancy = healthy pregnancy = healthy baby (well most of the time!!)
Avoid NSAIDs.
Codeine and paracetamol are ok but the codeine can cause really bad constipation, which is even worse in pregnancy.
I would say get the jaw pain under control before trying to get pregnant. Around 80% of pregnancies (known or never realised) result in miscarriage. If, God forbid, this happened, you don't want to taunt yourselves with all the "what ifs".
Healthy mum prior to pregnancy = healthy pregnancy = healthy baby (well most of the time!!)
Edited by Lois on Saturday 12th June 15:39
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