Was paracetamol always ok in pregnancy?

[tinaabbot]

I don’t want to comment on the nonsense in the news at the moment, but it has got me thinking. I don’t remember being able to take paracetamol while pregnant. I definitely don’t remember being able to take anything for a cold. Am I misremembering? I was pregnant in 2008 and in Ireland. Anyone remember what the advice was back then?

@tinaabbot I'm with you. I'm sure I wasn't allowed it (2008). I remember having a v bad cold and couldn't take anything.

But after these responses I am questioning my memory!

Yep it was fine. I took the max dose every day and I don’t think that’s uncommon, women have to manage chronic pain.

I was pregnant in the 80s and wasn't allowed paracetamol

Pregnant various times in 2000-2010 ish.
Always could take paracetamol (or co-codomal - I had to take it for migraines)

You weren't meant to take ibroprofen or aspirin unless prescribed as it could cause bleeding in the baby.

Was thinking about this today, early noughties and wasn’t allowed anything (might have just been my midwife)

Definitely ok in when I was pregnant in the 80s. I remember taking it. And ok when my DD was pregnant.
As far as I remember it had always been considered the safest painkiller during pregnancy.

So was I and I took paracetamol. Aspirin and was discouraged. But paracetamol was fine.

Hasn’t every women been offered the ubiquitous 2 paracetamol in labour 😭😭😭

Yes, as pp said, it’s decongestants you can’t have in pregnancy. Paracetamol is fine. But it meant you couldn’t have Lemsip because of the decongestant.

Yes it was. For me in 1995 and 2003 and for that 1995 baby when as an healthy adult she had her own baby in 2021. She was also advised to take low-dose aspirin daily, and did.
Her son is flying at school, extremely bright, fit and healthy.
Not quite sure what you’re trying to achieve with this thread?

I chose not to, 1996.

If I remember correctly, you couldn’t take cold medicines where paracetamol was combined with a decongestant. Paracetamol on its own was fine.

I had COVID when pregnant in 2020, and was told the fever was more dangerous for the baby than taking paracetamol! Trump is a thick piece of shit.

2013 in Ireland. I was told by GP I could take 8 paracetamol EVERY day for headaches that would not subside.

Yes he has autism. No I don't think paracetamol caused it because he has the exact same traits as his father.

It's ibuprofen you're not meant to take. I know that was the case 20 years ago and still the advice today.
Decongestants also a no-no, as others have said.

Yes

It was the only thing. no lemsip allowed

I was given some in labour - like that was going to help!

I was recommended paracetamol for my SPD pregnancies in 2010 & 2013. It knocked the constant burning pain from 8/10 to 7/10.

God, the spinal block was the best thing ever. Being pain free for the first time in months was incredible.

Looking at various paternal and maternal family members, I think I can say that DS's autism is genetic rather than due to some weak pain relief.

I mean, if you’re pregnant and in pain…what are you supposed to do? Just suffer?!

some midwifes healthcare professionals are overzealus when it comes to not recommending that women take medication.
comes out each year at hayfever season as well. as if not being able to breathe properly is in any way good for mother and fetus.

Regardless of the discussion at the moment I've always lived by the motto 'only take it if you need it'. I'm convinced as time has gone on the dependency on 'quick fixes' and running for a tablet at the first sign of trouble cannot be good for you. I'm not saying there is anything specific or single item which makes you ill/causes problems. But the long term attitude of drug use cannot be good for you.

It was fine in the 80’s

1994 in toothache just before being induced, the midwife said, we give out paracetamol like smarties
i guess in late pregnancy, but no idea

Fine in 1980s

2007 - told to take paracetamol in labour. Yeah right, like paracetamol was going to do anything. I think that was part of the test for the midwives to see if you were really in labour, if you swore back at them it was like, Fair enough, come on in now.'