31 weeks pg and stupidly took neurofen for horrible toothache

[eastendmummy]

Will it harm the baby? I have had awful toothache for last week and over weekend took total of 6 neurofen to help me deal with it before seeing dentist today. Am now worrying about the affects - can anyone reassure me? Have now been given penicillin as pain is due to blocked sinus caused by a cold. Am now really worried that I'm taking things that could potentially cause harm.

Any reassurance/info gratefully received.

Anyone?

Sorry I can't help. Have you tried ringing NHS direct or (even better in my experience) your out of hours doctor?

Hope everything's ok x

I'm no expert, but I really don't think that 6 neurofen could possibly hurt the baby - particularly at 31 weeks, when the baby is 'finished" and only has to grow!

I found this on the NHS website. Sorry it's not that comforting. There are concerns about the use of ibuprofen in pregnancy and it is not recommended after 30 weeks without medical supervision because of potential risks to the foetus. I'd contact your GP for advice if I were you, although it's not like you've been popping 8 a day for the past 2 weeks.

don't worry about it, I'm sure its fine.

if you were pregnant and seriously ill you can bet your bottom dollar that you would probably get given drugs stronger than six nurofen, and you would still have a normal healthy baby

x posts gaelicsheep - but not really going to help her get a good nights sleep tonight is it?

if you are worried eastendmummy call nhs direct in the morning, you will be fine

I think it isn't advised as it can trigger early labour in (probably a) very very few cases.

No, but she asked and I told. It's best to know not to take any more without consulting GP. Up to 30 weeks it's OK, though paracetamol is preferred, so I don't think that one week's going to make a huge amount of difference.

Have looked a little more and it would be more likely to prolong labour.

I really think it is unlikely the amount you have taken will do any harm.

please try not to fret, altho easier said than done I know!

I had a car accident when 28wks pregnant with my DS1 (he is now almost 10!, where did that time go), and up until delivery (at 35wks), I was very strong painkillers, anti-inflammitories (part of the neurofen family but I had stronger) plus other drugs due to me breaking my ribs, severe whiplash, other muscles injuries, plus they also had to stop prem labour as it triggered labour.

he was fine, and ultimatly so was I, and the medical profession gave it, and if they can (altho it was under supervision in hospital amd fully monitored), then 6 over the course of 2wks isn;t going to be of major concern, and if it was going to trigger anything I think it would have by now.

of course tho, I am not medically trained in any way, only speaking from my own experience, and in cases such as yours, you are only really and truly going to be reassured by some one who is medical. My honest suggestion would be to try and calm for now, but maybe ring your midwife in the morning with a veiw to maybe getting baby checked or monnitored......it will put your mind at rest as much as it is going to until your are holding your baby in your arms.

Think psychomum's advice is very good but just to add, I had terrible joint problems when I was pregnant with DD. Can't remember how many weeks I was but it was definately 3rd trimester. I took ibuprofen a couple of times because I had to (pain/swelling was really really bad and knew that paracetamol wasn't going to help in this case) and then went to my GP for more advice. She told me to take regular ibuprofen to help with the swelling (and pain) and assured me it would be okay. So I'm sure 6 neurofen would be okay in the grander scheme of things but call midwife in the morning to put your mind at rest.
DD is absolutely fine 18 months later.

Thank you so much everyone. Am feeling less panicky now and will definitely check more carefully if this flares up again. My brain was all fuzzy from the pain of the toothache and I just wanted it to go away so didn't think about what I was taking.

Please ask your doctor or midwife before taking any more.

When I was pg I had kidney stones, and the first line treatment for them is normally anti-inflammatories.

I was given morphine instead as it is less dangerous for the baby.

Penecillin is fine - I was on a low dose antibiotic right through pregnancy. But the nurofen can cause problems with the baby's circulation when it is born.

Hope you feel better soon.

I am not saying this to alarm you, just to make you aware.

Please get your tooth sorted out, there was a report in the papers last week (ok you can't believe everything you read i know), but that gum disease can harm baby, so therefore all pregnant woman should take advantage of free dental care. And if you have toothache I'd recommend getting that checked out.

Yes go and get checked out ASAP because there is a known risk for gum disease and issues such as prem labour.

However just like the ibuprofen it is a risk - that simply means an increased chances of something going wrong rather than a definitive chance. Usually these increased risks are small but significant so for example if most people have (making figures up) a 1% chance of prem labour then if you take ibuprofen there is a 2% chance of prem labour.

So something that should be avoided if not necessary but in the right situation it is worth the risk if that makes sense?

By the way those are made up risks and statistics - just meant to be an example.

try not to worry, when I was last PG I had severe pain and was on morphine, tramadol hyrdrachloride and co-codamol!! strong shit, much stronger than nurofen. baby was just fine. Get it checked, but Do not panic

Don't worry about it although might be best not to take any more without discussing with GP. As the NHS site says fine up to 30 weeks, and you are only one week further on than that so hard to see that one week would make a difference. The risks seem to be much higher if it is taken very close to term.

Pencillin is fine - esp as given to you by health professional who will have weighed up risks.

By porcamiseria Tue 09-Feb-10 08:57:18
try not to worry, when I was last PG I had severe pain and was on morphine, tramadol hyrdrachloride and co-codamol!! strong shit, much stronger than nurofen. baby was just fine. Get it checked, but Do not panic

This is not reason not to be worried. Anti-inflammatory medication has a particular effect in late pregnancy that has nothing to do with how "strong" it is.

Like I said - I was given morphine ("strong") as an altenative to ibuprofen ("weak") as it was less harmful to my baby.

It isn't about the strength, its about the side effects, which for ibuprofen include the "ductus arteriosis" not closing and therefore the baby being unable to sustain its own circulation via the lungs on delivery (ductus arteriosis is a muscle that re-routes blood to the placenta, then closes when baby starts to breathe air).

It is probably fine, but it won't hurt to give your midwife a call and see whether she thinks you need a check up.

I stupidly decided to cut out caffeine last week, cue the vile headaches. Without thinking I took a Migraleve - had a massive panic and called and my midwife was great, saying the ingredient which actually can cause a problem has to be taken in quite large quantities before it becomes a problem.

Thanks everyone for your advice, it is much appreciated. I have spoken to midwife who reassured me that the small amount that I have taken is fine so that is a relief! The pain has now gone thanks to the penicillin clearing up the sinus infection - phew!