Codeine in pregnancy

[DCmum95]

Hi has anyone been prescribed codeine in pregnancy and all been ok? I’m 11 weeks and have severe sciatica which is just totally unmanageable and haven’t been able to move without wincing in pain.
ive been prescribed a low dose of codeine for when I need it - has anyone else had this x

Hi OP, I also suffered with sciatica in my first pregnancy and codeine was mentioned as a last resort option. After speaking with my midwife about the risks of taking codeine during pregnancy, and doing my own research, I decided I really was not comfortable taking those risks so decided against it. I had physio instead which I did find helpful, swimming & walking helped & warm packs also helped. It was still not nice, I was still in pain, but considering the risks to baby I just wasn’t prepared to take them. Do your own research though so you can make your own decision.

Thank you. The studies I’ve seen seem to point to prolonged use of codeine especially in later pregnancy (or within first 4 weeks) and I am prescribed 15mg which in all the studies I’ve researched seems to be way under the amount that has caused issues. I too had sciatica in my first pregnancy and was able to manage it but with this pregnancy, along with a 2 year old it has just become completely unmanageable and I am wincing and crying in pain every time I move - which as you can imagine with a toddler in tow is quite challenging! Thank you for your comment and it has made me look into the research a lot more!

I used codeine from week 6 to week 30 and then slowly weaned down between weeks 31 and 39. For most of the weeks between 6 and 30 I was on the maximum dose of 30/500s.

This is really helpful thank you very much. I’m hoping it won’t be long term but it’s good to know that I can wean down the further I go on. Thank you for your comment

I was prescribed codeine I pregnancy due to terrible migraines, I was in hospital for the last 5 weeks of pregnancy as I had placenta previa, and so the midwives gave me paracetamol and codeine and were very nonplussed about it. It's very stressful for the baby if their mother is in pain, and its actually very low risk to them

So sorry you were in hospital for so long! This is my thinking too, I am not healthy by sitting on the sofa all day and wincing and crying in pain when I try and move. If I am able to have some pain relief I can become mobile and look after myself and my body better

If the dr has prescribed it, then it's safe. It's very very difficult to get anything prescribed when you are pregnant, so its fine. You just have to be aware that it is addictive. So take it but just be aware of your actions. Make sure you are taking your 8 paracetamol a day as well (perfectly safe) while you are in pain, as it works in conjunction with the codeine and is actually a very underrated painkiller. But do eat dried fruit etc as codeine will make you constipated. Good luck x

I had horrific migraines when I was pregnant and it was massively affecting my ability to sleep. I was told to take small doses of codeine as they said sleep was more important overall than the minute risks from the codeine. I took it as a last resort at night sometimes and, at their suggestion, avoided it completely after 36 weeks to ensure it wasn't in her blood stream when she was born. Obviously I dont have anything to compare DD to but she is a tall, thriving, smart, articulate 6 year old so I don't have any reason to be concerned about my choice.

I've been advised to take Codeine when needed during pregnancy due to being a migraine sufferer.
As long as you wean off in later pregnancy it is ok to have as the risks to baby are minimal.

I took it at max dose from 12 weeks to the day she was born.
She had a low agpar score on birth - but that could just as easily been due to the pethidine....
She's now a tall, beautiful and intelligent 16 year old. Though she is incredibly laid back....