If you’ve had to take codeine in pregnancy

[Gavinandstacey32]

Posting here for traffic, I really want to hear your experience.

Due my second baby soon I’ve had a chronic pain condition since after my first pregnancy. It’s been really severe in the last few months I’ve barely been able to get out of bed and I didn’t want to have to take any pain killers because of the baby however I was told it would be ok to take codeine and baby would be monitored after.

I’ve been taking 2 sometimes 3 single 30mg tablets a day. I’m terrified of my baby having withdrawals but it’s been the only choice I’ve had whilst being a mum to my daughter and needed to be a normal parent and keep on top of life and jobs and not be useless and staying in bed barely moving because of the pain.

Can anyone who’s been in this situation or seen it please tell me what to expect?

Midwife has been amazing and said it should be minimal for the baby and that all she expects from her experience is baby feeding abit extra and when I spoke to the doctor on the mat wing they said with that dose you shouldn’t notice anything. However I’m still terrified and I’d appreciate if anyone can tell me what they know from experience.

Sorry this is long! Thank you

I had to take it for a good few weeks towards the end of pregnancy with DC3. Didn't notice any withdrawal or negative effects at all. I was also on antidepressants so I was double worried. He's 3 now and all good..besides being mildly feral at times.

@noprofessional thanks for getting back to me. How much were you taking if you don’t mind me asking?

It was Zapain so 30mg codeine with paracetamol I think? I could barely walk so I was taking it a good few times a day.

Shamelessly following as planning to TTC soon and take two Zapain tablets a day (30/500) for a chronic pain condition currently and have been worrying how I will cope with just paracetamol.

I had to take codeine in all of my pregnancies due to SPD (aggravated by my EDS).
All 6 children were fine after birth no withdrawals or anything. Dose ranged from cocodamol to 2x30mg codeine depending on pain level obviously taking the lowest amount that I could cope with

I took 30/500 during my pregnancy. I can’t remember how many, I’d guess at the max dose. I ended up being induced at 37 weeks as I was in so much pain. DD had no issues and we were discharged after 24 hours. She’s 8 now and as normal as any 8 year old is!

I took 30mg up to 4 times a day until my last trimester. I was monitored during my pregnancy and had consultant led care (had to have a hospital birth). There was an alert on my notes and the resus team were on alert when I was in labour.

I was worried about the impact on DD so I actually managed to wean off in my last month - I had acupuncture. No idea if it really made any difference but it definitely eased the pain for me! DD was fine but she was very small (5lb 4oz). No evidence that the codeine caused that issue though. I was told at that time (2013) that I was safe to take codeine and breastfeed but we did have an incident where her breathing slowed down and I didn’t take any more. I’ve also read since that advice has changed and it’s no longer considered safe.

These replies have definitely put my mind at rest! I’m also not planning on breast feeding for other reasons anyway. I really hope the baby has no withdrawals or anything it’s been such a hard decision to make but I needed to be ok and normal for my toddler

I have 4 DCs and have had horrendous SPD in all pregnancies, in the last 3 I was on cocodamol. I, too, felt the guilt about taking them, it was either cocodamol or a wheelchair and hoe could I be in a wheelchair with a 1yo toddler, 3yo and 5yo? All my DC were natural births (few home births too) all good weights, last two 8lbs 5ozs, last one was induced at 40 weeks due to the SPD they did say I could be induced at 38 weeks but I decided he was my last I would carry on and carry him until my due date if I had the end is in sight date I breastfed all of them for over a year too.

I still to this day have pain from the SPD though I think that more to do with having 4 babies in 6 years, it killed me the babies were perfectly healthy

Hi I know this thread is old but I was wondering if you had to take codeine everyday from the start of your pregnancy ? I’m having to do this and although dr is aware and says it’s fine I’m worried baby is going to be harmed and born addicted because of this

Sorry that was meant for @ThePontiacBandit

Oh hi! Yes I took codiene 4 times a day right from the start of my pregnancy, up until my last trimester. I was keen to stop but I had bad pain issues (no clear cause at that time but it’s since been identified as endometriosis). I went for the acupuncture which helped me wean off.

@ThePontiacBandit Thank you so much for replying. I have a herniated disc and suspected Sacroilitus, have always had pain pre pregnancy but it really kicked in about 6 weeks !! Have been on it ever since. Can I ask what dosage you was taking, was it the 30/500mg?

I took separate codeine and paracetamol. I was taking a maximum of 30mg 4 times a day for the first two trimesters. DD was okay but I am glad I was able to cut down in the last trimester as this seems to be when it’s highest risk.

Thanks for this. Yeah I am trying to start to wean down now, I'm 24 weeks but I want to be off them by 33/34 weeks

Yes, I had to, from about 17 weeks until full term. My baby was (and, years later) is fine.

Thanks. I'm worried because I've had to take it from day 1 and don't think I've ever missed a day. It worries me the long term effects of that

I was on codeine from the start of pregnancy number 4. Towards the end I also needed a bit of morphine. She was born slightly addicted so was in special care for about 24 hours.... went on to thrive, sleep well etc with no ill effects. The stress of being in pain would have been more detrimental and possibly (did at 28 weeks but was halted) trigger early labour, so was the lesser of two evils for us. If doctors etc know and have recommended then it's for a reason and wouldn't have been done half heartedly. She is now a VERY stroppy, independent almost 14 year old with a brain like Stephen Hawkins!! Listen to your healthcare professionals and try not to worry. All the best.