PAIN KILLERS IN PREGNANCY

[LozH1994]

I’m currently 4 months pregnant and I’m still taking my dihydrocodiene my gp is still issuing it fully aware I’m pregnant. Although many people in health care professions have told me this shouldn’t be too much of a risk seeing I’ve been on them for 8 years and of course taking them sensibly. I just wondered if anyone is aware of any high risks that this is going to have on my baby when they arrive??

OP you've made multiple threads about your anxieties. Speak to your gp x

Being in pain causes high levels of cortisol in your system and this is known to have major negative effects on a developing baby.

There is always a risk in taking medication, but it's not as simple as taking meds = risk, and not taking meds = no risk. You have to weigh the risk of the meds against the risks of cortisol and the effects on maternal health from being unable to function properly.

Your doctor knows your situation best and thinks staying on the meds is fine, trust them.

If your GP is aware and still prescribing dihydrocodeine, it means the risks are being monitored, so you shouldn’t stop it suddenly without medical advice. The main concern with long-term use during pregnancy is that the baby may have some withdrawal symptoms after birth, but this can be managed by the medical team. Taking it exactly as prescribed helps reduce risks. It’s important to keep in regular contact with your GP or midwife so they can support you and make any adjustments if needed.

What advice have you been given on your other threads?