Paracetamol in pregnancy

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I’m currently 11.5 weeks pregnant and I’ve had a really bad headache yesterday and today. Think it’s a combination of the heat and general hormone changes. I had 1 paracetamol yesterday which did nothing so I didn’t take anymore but now I can barely see I’m in so much pain so I’ve taken 2 paracetamol. I’m now panicking like crazy incase I’ve done harm. Did anyone else have to take paracetamol? I’m sure my doctor has said it’s ok to take very occasionally if really needed. Any reassurance welcome as I’m currently freaking out

You can take 8 paracetamol a day in pregnancy. I wouldn't recommend it but you can.

Paracetamol is absolutely fine, it's a very safe drug. Don't take more than 4 doses of 2 tablets in 24h and you'll be fine.

Paracetamol is fine!

I wouldn't recommend it

and why is that, Pebbles? Please grace us with your expert medical opinion.

Had a abscess on my wisdom tooth with eldest daughter and was given what was essentially heroin. Baby came out fine so I doubt two paracetamol are going to do much harm.

Yes I had to take two per day quite often in the 1st trimester due to severe headaches, it’s considered safe to take but they recommend the min dosage.

Well, it's not great for your liver.

I had chronic pain and took 1g paracetamol four times daily throughout my pregnancy, doctor said it was fine.

Paracetamol is perfectly safe to take at normal doses. Midwives recommend it for headaches etc. Ibuprofen is what you should absolutely avoid

You can take paracetamol, my GP confirmed it's totally safe as has been around for years and tested as safe
I had awful cramping and bleeding during my first 9-12 weeks and she told me to take it according to the packet

I'm now 31 weeks and my midwife has said take paracetamol if my hip gives me pains and again said about it being totally safe etc x

I developed severe pregnancy-induced headaches in my 2nd pregnancy, I was taking 1-2 paracetamol daily by the 3rd trimester.
Currently have a heavy, sweaty and decided unaffected 10 month old DD feeding on my lap. Don’t stress it x

I took paracetamol quite alot in the first trimester due to caffeine withdrawal headaches, and all was fine. The pharmacist said it's absolutely fine to take during pregnancy, but I did start drinking coffee again after a few weeks as it seemed pointless to be suffering

I was on morphine through whole pregnancy and ibuprofen and paracetamol. Small critter was absolutely fine and didn't even have any signs of morphine withdrawal when born.
Take the paracetamol and make sure you are hydrated

Thank you all for replying. I’m not intending on taking anymore as I’ll be off to bed soon but I physically couldn’t stand the pain any longer. I’m sure I’m over reacting but I’m home alone and have no one to talk me down from the state I worked myself up into! This pregnancy lark is a terrifying rollercoaster!!

Paracetamol is absolutley fine in pregnancy. You can take the normal dosage on the package. You shouldn't take aspirin or ibuprofen.

And not to derail, but the advice I was given is ibuprofen is also ok in the 2nd trimester - it’s when lots of development is going on in the 1st and when the heart is growing in the 3rd trimester ibuprofen can be problematic

It shouldn't be a terrifying rollercoaster if you follow medical advice and listen to your doctor and midwife. Honestly you will make yourself ill with worry if you panic so much and it is not good for your growing baby.

Sorry, just to clarify, when I said I wouldn't recommend it, I didn't mean the paracetamol itself. Just not 8 every day. No medical degree. Have one in toxicology though.

I think I just second guess myself a lot and panic that I’ve done something that could harm the baby. This is my first pregnancy so it’s all very new. Plus I don’t see my midwife again for another 2 or so weeks.

I ended up on v strong painkillers when I had an injury whilst pregnant. Don't worry about paracetamol

As others have said, paracetamol is fine in pregnancy. Additional advice, my doctor once told me not to bother taking 1 at a time as that's a child's dose and it won't do anything.

Mirroring PP’s, I had to have strong cocodomol during one of my pregnancies for a while. Paracetemol don’t really work for me so I don’t bother very often but I will take them if desperate. They’re absolutely fine. NSAIDs should be avoided so aspirin and ibuprofen.

I understand, I am 29 weeks pregnant with my first. But honestly, read up on the NHS advice about what not to do and follow that, rather than worrying about every little thing. The baby is tucked away safely and not so easy to hurt.

And was all ok? I am in the same boat headaches daily and feel so bad taking them

The midwives recommend a paracetamol when you go into labour. It's safe in pregnancy- there's lots of evidence that it is