Painkillers & Antihistamines whilst pregnant

[Ree1996]

Anyone taken antihistamines (certerizine) throughout pregnancy & codeine during the second quarter?

My midwife is against me taking hayfever tablets despite needing them, yet the nhs website says it's fine.

Codeine is down as bad in the first and third trimester but I'm taking high strength in the second.

What are you taking the codeine for? It's certainly not advised. I've got a multiple level spinal fusion and fused pelvis. I've only ever taken paracetamol because of risks.

If you can do without it in trimester 1 & 3 do you really need it now? Have you tried pain therapy?

I took Loratidine, beconase & eye drops during my pregnancies, though I actually found my hayfever was almost nonexistent during my pregnancies thankfully, but has returned with a vengeance this year (youngest is now 5!).
I never took codeine during my pregnancies, only paracetamol until the labours.

It's short term use only whilst I wait for a tooth to be removed so I'm hoping okay

Ahh sorry OP, I read the post as if you were using it all the way through! Short term is fine

Why not trust the info your medical professional gave you, rather than the armchair experts of mumsnet. Those drugs could have interactions, antihistamines inhibit histamines, which are essential to your growing baby. If you want to risk your child’s healthy development against medical advice, that’s your prerogative. But no one here can tell you better than you’ve already been told.

Hahaha if only this were true.

Have a look here OP. These meds can be used in pregnancy in some circumstances

Www.medicinesinpregnancy.org

I took codeine through my entire pregnancy. It was prescribed by the doctor. I shouldn't think the 8/500s you get OTC will do any harm if they're short term for toothache.

ceterizine and loratadine are both fine during pregnancy.

midwife who peddle this shit need to get better training.

no idea about codeine tbh apart from there being a (small) risk in late pregnancy and breadtfeeding. but you know that.

bfn has good fact sheets about medication during pregnancy/lactation.

NHS website contradicts other websites, which contradicts certain doctors and certain midwives. So yes, I'd like the reassurance of women who have taken the same things and had healthy babies!

I have mild hayfever and heard some antihistamines were bad during pregnancy but it depends on the ingredients. Maybe call your GP if the hayfever is terrible and see what they'd advise

I've personally just put up with the runny nose and itchy eyes, looking forward to taking them again in a few days after giving birth!

My first midwife told me I couldn't take any hayfever meds - I then asked my dr & he said that was ridiculous, & yes I could take them.
Some midwives err on the side of caution in that, obviously for ethical reasons, drugs cannot be tested on pregnant women, so cannot be deemed safe, but that doesn't mean they aren't.
If you're concerned, talk to your GP about which of your meds you can take.

Hi OP. I had an outbreak of hives in my last pregnancy and my GP was very clear that loratadine is pregnancy safe. Sounds like your midwife is being quite cautious, but perhaps may not be best placed to advice on all medications, without a medical degree like your GP has x

Antihistamines are widely used in pregnancy for nausea. No issues identified

Codeine is a bit tricker- depends what it's being used for and your stage of pregnancy.

The fact is that the vast vast majority of pregnant women taking either of these meds won't have any problems

It's really no use asking for anecdotes from people- they have to be studied on a population- wide level really for the absolute risk to be known

I’m new to this so not exactly sure how it all works! I have been taking various different painkillers for a slipped disk… accidentally fell pregnant. Amongst other things, I have been on codeine and morphine. Codeine prior to conception and during the first few weeks.I’ve stopped taking everything now. I am so worried about potential affects. I have been googling (probably shouldn’t) and some studies show higher risk of birth defects when taking codeine prior to conception although these come with a caveat saying further studies are needed. . Any reassurance from anyone taking the max dose of codeine regularly would be amazing. I’m going crazy with worry.

Hi, I was taking a number of prescription medications when I fell pregnant including fexofenadine (antihistemine). The Doctor told me that no medications can be guaranteed safe but there are some which have known side effects. I was told to slowly come off all my medication before the third trimester as the ones I was on were more likely to have an impact on baby having withdrawal symptoms rather than any damage to the growth of baby. All was well at my 12 week scan when I had managed to come off my meds. Given each person and situation is different I would take your Doctor/Midwife/Medical Professionals advice as they know your whole medical situation and history.

My dr pointed out that constant sneezing isn’t great in pregnancy either - a sneeze involves involuntary contraction of muscles all through your torso. Like severe coughing fits, this isn’t ideal in pregnancy. I think because there’s a risk of it triggering uterine contractions but I could be wrong.