Codeine in pregnancy

[Mamacita191]

Hi all. Wondering if I could get some advice. I just found out I’m pregnant, I suffer from really bad SI joint pain and back pain since giving birth to my first child 20 months ago, due to my hypermobility. The flare ups are horrendous. I spoke to a GP today and asked if there was any pain relief I could take as paracetamol doesn’t touch the sides. She said the next one up would be codeine, she read different studies out to me:

1. A study said not to take near labour as baby may be dependant
2. A study said regular use may cause addiction /withdrawal when baby is born.

She said it should be fine to take if I just take the minimum as and when I need it on a bad flare up.

I didn’t feel confident after the call. She’s prescribed me it anyway. But I was just wondering if anyone else has successfully taken codeine in pregnancy and all has been okay?

Thank you.

@WhatisanODP oh wow well done mama 🤣😳 that's good going haha! So they didnt even mention having to stay in? & Did you take them all the way up until you went in to labour too if you dont mind me asking? I know baby will be fine but they're scaring me with the staying in bit 🙈😪 I'm just not good with hospitals 🤣

I took codine during pregnancy at about 16 weeks for around a week when I had some issues and was in a lot of pain and then the odd time thereafter in later pregnancy for spd on a really sore day.

Yes I took it all through both my pregnancies and have two very bright and healthy children. I tried not to take it too often but did use it all through both pregnancies x

@Bumfluffs thank you for your reply!! Just trying to get the most reassurance I can get I suppose 🥹 I'm 39 weeks now, do you mind me asking did you take them up to when you went in to labour?

& Did they ever say because you've been prescribed it you have to stay in hospital for monitoring? Or were both babies fine after and you could go home shortly after?

Thank you in advance xx

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/codeine/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-taking-codeine/

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/#C

@Rosebud21 thanks! I have had a look at these when I was first put on these tablets, and was told I may have to be kept in, but everyone I've spoke to who was on them, and on an even higher dose than mine haven't ended up being kept in as the baby was completely OK, so was just after some experiences! Thank you for the link :)

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Codeine/

Some information here