Anyone taken codeine around 12 week mark?

[Gingerbreadpixie]

I was admitted to a&e on Sunday nights at 12 weeks pg due to a bleed and passing large blood clots with cramping in back and tummy. I thought I was having a mc and so did the medical staff. I was out of my mind with grief and kept asking for painkillers. I was given a one-off dose of paracetamol and after that a one-off dose of codeine. I didn't miscarry and am now scared the drugs may have hurt my baby.

I'm still feeling quite mentally fragile and just looking for a bit of reassurance from anyone else who has taken these painkillers

Hi there. Firstly, poor you for such a horrible experience. I have had bleeding in pregnancy and it's terrifying.

Honestly do not worry. I had similar fears when I got pregnant by accident while taking a strong prescription drug. The consultant explained to me that many, many people are pregnant without realising it still take all sorts of drugs like antidepressants and painkillers before they find out, and the babies are absolutely fine. If fact one friend was taking an incredibly strong painkiller for about 12 weeks before she realised she was pg, and her little girl is about the brightest and healthiest baby you could imagine

One dose will do absolutely no harm, I'm sure. Also, as there was doubt about miscarrying, I doubt the hospital would have given you anything risky. Many women take paracetamol throughout pregnancy for headaches without worrying too.

It sounds like you are a very conscientious mum to be and your baby is very lucky.

Take care and don't worry xx

Hi gingerbread just to reassure you I had bleeding at week 14 and went to a and e, I saw a gynae and fortunately everything was ok but she actually prescribed me paracetamol and codeine tablets to take there and gave me a box to take home with me. They are also prescribed if you have spd etc.

I know it's hard not to, but please don't worry it won't have done any damage xxx

I took cocodamol for severe headaches when pg with DD1, on my doctor's advice. I haven't googled to check but I assumed he knew what he was doing.

I don't have experience of this myself, but my friend was hospitalised with severe degeneration of discs in spine at around 10 wks pregnant. She had two spinal operations, numerous painkillers including codeine and her child is now a bouncing, healthy two yr old. Please don't worry.

That sounds really stressful. Hope you're feeling better now.

I'm on cocodamol for pelvic girdle pain. My GP and midwife have assured me that codeine is safe in pregnancy. I also checked with a friend who is a pharmacist and she said that not enough passes through the placenta to cause any problems. I know it feels counter-intuitive to take drugs in pregnancy, but please don't worry. It won't have affected your baby.

Hope the rest of your pregnancy is stress-free.

Sounds awful op - if it's any reassurance midwives gave me Kpax (sp?) in very early labour, which I think is a codeine based painkiller?

Thank you so much for your replies and kind words, it means a lot to me.

Ok I will try to relax about this now and put this horrible experience behind me.

Xx

Sounds awful gingerbread. I've been prescribed cocodamol for headaches and have to take them every now and then just to get through the day. Hope you're feeling better.

So glad to hear that baby has stayed put!

I had a similar experience at about 10 weeks. I took a few doses of paracetamol and codeine washed down with half a bottle of red wine [on medical advice I hasten to add!]

Imagine my surprise (and horror) when I went to the EPU to check that everything had "passed" and there was a v strong heartbeat!

DS2 is now 1 and absolutely fine!

I hope the rest of your pg goes well.

xx

Gingerbread I know you're worried but I'm TTC with a back injury and my doc has said it's fine to take my prescription strength codiene tablets.
Honestly, your baby will be fine.

Thanks ladies xxx

I took co-codeine a number of times through pregnancy for migraine, again on dr's advice, and am another one with a healthy baby. Please don't worry.