I thought you could take paracetamol during pregnancy at any time???????

[mosschops30]

Is this not right? I had a terrible migraine yesterday (havent had one for 4 years) and took paracetamol every 4 hours, but it did nothing.
I read in that stupid emmas diary today that you can only take it after the first trimester, Im currently 8 weeks!

Also is it normal to have such bad headaches/migraines or should I phone mw and have bp checked

Migraines can be worse during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. Headches in general are common too. Paracetamol is OK to take as are antibiotics if needed. There is a general belief that nothing should be taken in the first 3 months if possible but sometimes there is a need. I would say migraine is one of them.

thanks mears, I have had to phone in sick today as I have the after effects of the migraine but havent taken anything today

They do reccommend not untill after 12 weeks but I'm sure people have taken far worse. As for the headaches, I can relate here. I used to get terrible headaches throughout both pgs, midwife said it was normal and eventually put it down to iron defficiency.

I'd mention both to your midwife though, even if just to put your mind at rest.

I had terrible migraines when pregnant after years of not having any. My GP at the time did homeopathy and prescribed Briona 30C which I found really helpful. You took it frequently at the first sign of a migraine. I didn't get that till much later in my pregnancy.
Since the paracetamol did not help then it is best not to take it.
I also found darkened glasses helped the after effects. Take it easy if you can.

Have just spoken to mw and she said to go and see gp if migraines have suddenly come on again.
I asked her about the paracetamol and he excellent advice was 'well if youve already taken it, it doesnt matter either way'
Will make and appt to see gp

yes mears, I wont bother taking them again as it made absolutely no difference.
Im hoping its a one off, maybe I was dehydrated after spending 3 hours in the car yesterday with no fluids!

mumnosbest - my iron is always low, pregnanct or not so that could be a factor

I suffered a lot with headaches and migraines during the first trimester (both pg's).
I used a compress on my head (you can buy them in packs)and that 4head stick thingy rubbed on my temples (and paracetomol), it seemed to help.
Good news is they stopped after 12 weeks, I am prone to them anyway.

I suffer with arthritis and related pains in my hips and take co-dydromol, which is a combination of a codine derivative and 1000mg of paracetemol, and am 9 weeks pregnant. Went through all the pain relief options with my GP when I realised that I was PG and he has reassured me that both codiene and paracetemol are, in moderation, absolutely fine to take in the first two trimesters.

Phone the midwife if you're worried, but I think you'll be fine

thank you all, mw was not much use as I said, but think I will go to gp later on today

You can definitely take it at any time during pregnancy. Don't worry - but if you are give GP a ring because that's what they'll tell you

I've never heard that before three months thing. I'm 13 weeks pg and have been ill a couple of times during first trimester and docs have said fine to take paracetamol without hesitation. In fact, often much better to take the drug than leave the complaint which - if fever for eg - is much worse for the baby.

i think it's a good idea to take it if you have a temperature - as in, it is preferable to a high temperature but they don't really advise it for anything else. I was told that for any time in pregnancy it is better to take the minimum dose with the longest gaps between doses you can manage (so 1 every 6 hours instead of 2 every 4)

But then that's true at any time - you should always take the lowest possible dose that will work. I had sciatica and was told by doctor to take full paracetamol dose for a week because any less wouldn't work.

Never heard the first 12 weeks thing. Both my boys are fine.

Hope GP helps, I had awful migraines with DS2. Every day from 6 weeks to 18 weeks. GP said it was hormones and to take paracetamol.

I had dreadful headaches in my second pregnancy and felt awful until I took paracetamol, so I did take it fairly often for the first 14 weeks or so. I tried only to take it if I really needed to but felt I really needed to quite often. Ds is fine, apart from the fact that he is a very energetic 2 year old and doesn't seem to learn that throwing himself off things on to the floor will hurt!

Any of you ladies still on here? 2020 calling 😂 just read something on facebook that has got me looking at the recent studies into effects of paracetamol in pregnancy and came across this thread....anyone willing to discuss whether their kids had any of the associated issues in the end?

I've just had my 3rd and took paracetamol when needed during my pregnancy as I did with my other 2. All are absolutley fine. In fact I was holding off taking paracetamol when I was having achey legs etc and when I said this to my midwife she actually said take them when you need them (of course spaced out).

I’ve taken paracetamol during both my pregnancies, along with the strongest anti-sickness drugs, steroids, codeine & multiple rounds of antibiotics. DD is a perfectly normal, happy, bright toddler. DD2 is cooking with as yet no obvious ill affects.

Follow approved medical advice. The fear around medication comes from the fact they can’t ethically test on pregnant woman. But they can use years & years of data to conclude certain drugs are safe. It is extremely difficult to link a drug like paracetamol in pregnancy to ‘issues’ with children unless it’s an obvious link to limb deformity or something like that. Behavioural & cognitive issues are an unknown. It’d be near impossible to say oh, I took paracetamol & it must have caused my childs autism. Therefore don’t worry & just use your common sense. If you are in a lot of pain, take the painkillers that millions and millions of pregnant women across the world have taken over the years without issue.

Paracetamol fine, Ibuprofen (as I've just found out) not (ideally not at all, but really not after 30 weeks according to NHS guidelines)

I’ve had strong cocodamol Before 12weeks due to scoliosis flare up.