Anxiety over effects of painkillers on baby...

[redcarrot1]

Had severe pain over the weekend and was advised by hospital to take paracetamol, codeine and ended up on pethidine. Now I'm winding myself up into a state of anxiety and reading about how everyone of those painkillers has some sort of link to autism...you name it. I've gone through my pregnancy being overly cautious about everything and now feel I've screwed up somehow. Major guilt trip.

I'm seeing the midwife next weekend so I'll pummel her for info but is there anyone out there who has taken painkillers during pregnancy and can reassure me they had no lasting effect on their child?

I had a herniated disc during pregnancy and couldn't stand or sit and lying down was agony. I had no choice but to take codeine when I was about 26 weeks pregnant for a few days. My little man is 11 weeks and had absolutely no problems from me taking these. I am sure you will be fine but talk through your concerns with your midwife or dr just to put your mind at ease xx

You definitely have in no way screwed up so please don't think that xx

I had to take strong painkillers throughout my last two pregnancies, including codeine but also morphine. I did a lot of research to put my mind at rest and I'm happy to say my babies were fine and are perfectly healthy now as children

Step away from Dr Google! Paracetamol is very VERY safe during pregnancy, in fact it's one of the few things tha doesn't come with a glaring warning on the box. As for the others if a health practitioner has told you to take them then they are safe enough that you shouldn't worry. I should think that to cause any ill effects you'd have to be popping a box of the things every day for a month.

I had appendicitis when pg with one of my children. As you can imagine, I had antibiotics, morphine, other painkillers, a general anaesthetic etc etc. That baby is 8yo now, the tallest girl in her class and doing very well indeed.

You haven't screwed up, take a deep breath and calm yourself down.

Easier said than done but try not to worry. Everything from ultrasounds to flu jabs to goodness knows what else is "linked" to autism according to unscientific nonsense on the internet.

Taking small measured amounts of prescribed opiates is safe in pregnancy under medical supervision. Uncontrolled pain on the other hand causes a massive physiological stress which impacts on your immune system, hormones, psychological well being , sleep, mobility etc etc etc which could have really negative consequences.

I hope you are starting to feel better soon and that your pain/cause is resolving.

Thank you everyone. You have no idea how reassuring your words are! There is so much negative info on the internet, its impossible to find any positive evidence sometimes. I'll also speak to the midwife but wanted to say I'm really grateful. x

As PP said, people very irresponsibly link autism to absolutely everything - the simple reason for this is that as yet we have no real idea what causes autism other than some potential genetic links.

All if the painkillers you list are given during labour with no concerns so please don't worry.