Ibuprofen is part of a class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. These are painkillers which are known for addressing a variety of conditions including fever, headache or arthritis. While these drugs are readily available over the counter, there are side effects of taking ibuprofen which should be considered before use. In most cases, these side effects are harmless, but there are some serious questions about whether or not it is safe to use ibuprofen or similar drugs while pregnant. Therefore it is necessary to get a better understanding of Ibuprofen and pregnancy both for your own sake and your baby’s health.

Is It Safe to Taking Ibuprofen During Pregnancy?

While pregnant, it is normal to wonder about the compatibility of Ibuprofen and pregnancy. It is not generally recommended that you use drugs such as Motrin or Advil which contain ibuprofen during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester. Ibuprofen is ranked as a pregnancy risk by the FDA, classified in category D. One dose early should not cause serious damage, but using this drug during the third trimester could be very dangerous.

Ibuprofen does not cleanly fall into one warning category, so the FDA is currently devising a new system to address these concerns. It is important for healthcare providers to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of these types of drugs before giving their patients advice. Ibuprofen has not been studied much during pregnancy, particularly when combined with other NSAIDs or pain medications such as naproxen or aspirin. Take great care when using any of these medications if you might be pregnant.

What Are the Risks of Taking Ibuprofen During Pregnancy?

Before taking the medicine, you may worry about the safety issues concerning Ibuprofen and pregnancy. Here are some of the risks which you should look our for.

1. In Early Pregnancy

Several studies have linked the use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to miscarriage, but not all studies were able to confirm this risk. There have also been studies linking the use of these drugs to certain birth defects if taken in the first and second trimester. The University of Maryland Medical Center specifically warns against the use of this product because it can affect your child’s kidneys.

2. In Late Pregnancy

Taking ibuprofen in your third trimester carries a significant risk. It can prematurely close a blood vessel in your baby’s heart, causing high blood pressure in the lungs which could lead to death. Taking this drug in the third trimester can also cause delayed or prolonged labor by lowering amniotic fluid levels, causing the FDA to warn against the use of ibuprofen unless it is specifically approved by your doctor.

3. Birth Defects

Taking ibuprofen during pregnancy poses a similar risk to using alcohol or tobacco. It increases the risk of heart defects, but is more known for increasing the risk of gastroschisis which causes the intestines to develop outside your baby’s body. The link to heart defects is a bit less obvious, as many mothers taking NSAIDs during pregnancy were doing so to treat a heart defect of their own which could have contributed to complications with the baby. Using prescription painkillers during pregnancy could cause your child to have low birth weight, extreme drowsiness or breathing difficulties which will ultimately lead to feeding difficulties as well.

4. Risks in the Long Run

Studies have indicated that boys born from women who used painkillers during their second trimester could be born with undescended testicles. This would increase their risk of infertility and testicular cancer and could affect how their body produces testosterone. However, this research has been unsubstantiated by follow-up studies, naming this correlation as weak.

What Painkillers Can You Take During Pregnancy?

Here is a general outline of pain relievers along with different guidelines for what can and cannot be used during pregnancy. Always talk to your doctor before using any medications while you are pregnant to ensure they are safe.

There are two groups of over-the-counter painkillers: acetaminophen and NSAIDs.

• Acetaminophen is used to treat aches, pains, fever or headache and is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy.
• NSAIDs including Motrin, Aleve, Advil or aspirin are not considered safe. Aspirin in particular contains salicylic acid which can cause difficulties for mothers and their babies. Aspirin can also cause heavy bleeding during labor if taken a few days before delivery. It should only be taken during pregnancy when prescribed for a condition such as blood clots.
• Generally, ibuprofen is considered a safer option than aspirin but it should still be used with caution. Some evidence suggests that it is safe to use ibuprofen in the first two trimesters, but this should only be done with approval from your doctor. Never use ibuprofen or other NSAIDs during the third trimester.
• Other painkillers include opioids which are derived from a poppy plant. These are classified as a narcotic and can only be obtained with a prescription due to serious injury, dental work, migraines or surgery. Doctors may allow you to use these substances during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risk that these drugs prose. There is no known level of opioid use that is considered safe during pregnancy.

Here is a video to tell you more about what medications you should avoid during pregnancy: