Codeine in pregnancy

[SleepyCaz]

Hello, I'll try and keep this brief :)

I am 22 weeks pregnant with DC3. Have been suffering, since week 14/15 with a vulvar varice. It has become worse as my pregnancy has progressed and is now excruciating. I can't give up work (nursing, so on feet all the time) until mid-Sept.
Was suffering more than usual last week so went to the preg unit of the hospital where I work. Doctor very nice and very sympathetic, but told me what I already knew, basically there's nothing they can do for it, until I have delivered DC3.
However, he DID give me Codeine Phosphate 30mg, two to be taken with two paracetamol, for when the pain is particularly awful. I have been loath to take them though, as I thought it wasn't advised. Since last week, I've probably had a total of six. Today I took two as could barely move, but now I'm in agony again.
Can anyone shed any light on the use of codeine and how it affects the foetus? Or have any of you been prescribed it?

TIA

SC

I was prescribed it for lung pain at about 34 weeks and tbh didn't hesitate to take it. Why put up with the pain? I think at 22 weeks you have little to worry about. I didn't take it all and stockpiled it for the afterpains Since you're on dc3 as well, I'd recommend you do the same. Ouch doesn't begin to cover it

Thanks FFFF

Trying not to worry, but hate the idea of it doing something to DC and me not realising until it's too late.

Afterpains?? I don't think I had these with DC's 1 and 2, I have to have sections, does that make a diff??

Difficult one. Good painkiller but can be addictive. And if you take large doses for a long time during pregnancy the baby can go through withdrawal.

I was given it for SPD, I was a hesitant as you, but it truly was the only way i could get a half decent sleep at night - else I'd be sitting up in bed crying my eyes out with pain. I was given 15mg though - 60mg sounds a lot to me - it must knock you out cold! I used to "treat" myself to a tablet 2-3 times a week at night.

Its best to avoid taking it if labour is imminent, so keep that in mind.

Don't know if a c section would make a difference tbh. They've got progressively worse for me, none with dc1, then a bit more with dc2, then ouchy for dc3! Perhaps with c sections you're on pain relief anyway so wouldn't necessarily notice them? Everytime I breastfed with ds I was gasping and asking dp to pass the painkillers. Only lasted less than a week but dear lord. Makes me tremble at the thought of what they must be like after a fourth

Thank you everyone :)

Barley, was is 15mg per tablet? Mine are 30mg per tablet, I think it seems high too.

i had a wicked mirgane that lasted a few days - i couldnt function i was a total wreck, i was given codeine and had it for about three days - with paracetomol...in the end i had to take a tramadol adn the pain was gone in 20 mins.

i was told co codamol was fine. but less so in third tri?

I've taken them for the last three pregnancies for SPD, didn't always take the whole dose if I could help it. It was either them or crutches, not practical with 3 others to look after.

You have to be taking a decent chunk every day right up to delivery for there to be major concerns about neo-natal withdrawal. In reality if you need to take it because you are in acute pain then you need to take it.

Just wanted to add that at 14 weeks I had a very very painful fibroid. I took copious amounts of both codeine and morphine. I felt incredibly guilty but my obstetrician resassured me as best as he could. I stopped all the meds at about 18 weeks.

Im now 30 so dont know if i have done any lasting damage but the bean is wriggling and growing well!

Mine were 15mg per tablet. They were marvellous.

My doc told me that its ok to take (I was given a codine lintus cough mixture) up till 35 weeks but not after this as it can make baby sleepy if you go into labour. And not in the 1st trimester so I was in the sweer spot at the time. But if your docs has prescribe it, I guess its ok. Would only worry if you were self medicating.

It affected none of my babies in labour and I had taken some that morning definitely with DS (no4), my third labour was only 45 mins, fourth was a very fast induction due to the SPD and previous fast labours. Then I needed the cocodamol for the horrendous afterpains.