Acetaminophen should be investigated for possible risks to developing fetuses, experts say

[Anonymous]

Apologies if this has already been discussed and I missed it. Hopefully OBs are now providing this information to all patients. Although these articles are new, it sounds as though some of the research dates back a number of years. When I was last pregnant only 7 years ago, my doctor didn't place any specific restrictions on the use of Tylenol for headaches, etc. I tried to take it infrequently anyway, but can't say I abstained completely. Now seeing some of this newer research I wish that I had. Just posting as an FYI for anyone who hasn't seen.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/health/acetaminophen-pregnancy-wellness/index.html

https://www.thelily.com/scientists-urged-caution-for-using-a-common-pain-reliever-during-pregnancy-more-information-is-needed-obgyns-say/

[Anonymous]

Please stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please stop.

Huh? Why? OP is sharing information. Confused why they should stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please stop.

Because it won’t be true if OP doesn’t share it? Because women shouldn’t know possible risks? Why should the exchange of information stop, PP?


And thank you, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop.

Because it won’t be true if OP doesn’t share it? Because women shouldn’t know possible risks? Why should the exchange of information stop, PP?


And thank you, OP.

Because it's fear mongering from a woman who hasn't had a baby in seven years. Let people hear this from their OB if needed. OP is a drama vulture.

[Anonymous]

I love when people share this kind of information. Just like food recalls. I don't spend my days checking for this stuff. It needs to be shared. Spread the knowledge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love when people share this kind of information. Just like food recalls. I don't spend my days checking for this stuff. It needs to be shared. Spread the knowledge

This isn't the same as a food recall. It (if true, and that's a big if) would be something your DOCTOR told you. As it stands it's just another thing pregnant women need to be worried about. With Covid. And everything else. Personally I get my medical recommendations from people who went to medical school, not anonymous randos on a message board.

[Anonymous]

Here's an article from last year (cited in the research that is covered in the articles OP cites) that tries to review and critique the existing research --

In sum, both carrying out and interpreting studies of prenatal acetaminophen exposure and child neurodevelopment are extremely challenging. The research landscape on this topic continues to show a picture of a modest association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and neurodevelopment in children, with a suggestion that more intense and prolonged exposure is associated with larger effect sizes, but that very little residual confounding would be sufficient to explain observed effects. This is of particular interest in studies where the effect estimate is reported as an odds ratio, which systematically overestimates risks, especially when the outcome is not rare.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7259542/

I read this as basically, yes, there's some connection, but it's really hard to tell how large the effect is and whether it's significant -- seems to be most problematic for women who are taking it regularly (e.g, those with chronic pain conditions or possibly those who have pain associated with the pregnancy like bad sciatica). Taking a Tylenol a couple times when you have a headache or pull a muscle is probably totally fine -- taking multiple pills every day because you have a chronic pain condition is probably problematic and you should maybe explore alternatives during the pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love when people share this kind of information. Just like food recalls. I don't spend my days checking for this stuff. It needs to be shared. Spread the knowledge

This isn't the same as a food recall. It (if true, and that's a big if) would be something your DOCTOR told you. As it stands it's just another thing pregnant women need to be worried about. With Covid. And everything else. Personally I get my medical recommendations from people who went to medical school, not anonymous randos on a message board.

So, isn’t it important to draw attention to issues for women to be empowered to start discussions with their OBs/ care providers?

Thinking and guidance changes all the time. It’s not a bad thing to have and ask questions, rather than waiting for your provider to bring something up.

[Anonymous]

It's all about relative risk. I took acetaminophen during pregnancy but it was to determine whether my headaches were pre-E or just tension headaches. They were pre-E. Worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop.

Because it won’t be true if OP doesn’t share it? Because women shouldn’t know possible risks? Why should the exchange of information stop, PP?


And thank you, OP.

Because it's fear mongering from a woman who hasn't had a baby in seven years. Let people hear this from their OB if needed. OP is a drama vulture.

I couldn’t possibly disagree more. It’s information from reputable sources where the data can be checked. We’ve long past the “Doctor is the all knowing God” phase and every patient should be their own advocate.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I remember seeing things like this when I was pregnant with my first 5 years ago and then even more recently. Something about limiting your Tylenol use to 20 throughout a pregnancy. Which is basically nothing. It’s why so many of us struggle with first tri headaches.

[Anonymous]

Acetaminophen is actually a somewhat dangerous drug because it's easy to overdose on it, which can lead to liver damage. Each year, over 600 Americans require liver transplants caused by overdosing themselves. It makes sense to be very careful about using it doing pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Acetaminophen is actually a somewhat dangerous drug because it's easy to overdose on it, which can lead to liver damage. Each year, over 600 Americans require liver transplants caused by overdosing themselves. It makes sense to be very careful about using it doing pregnancy.

Many years ago my dad was at a medical conference and went to a presentation on acetaminophen research. The consensus was that it would never be approved today as an OTC drug and that it is particularly risky for women to take because they can easily sustain liver damage on it. I have never taken it since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apologies if this has already been discussed and I missed it. Hopefully OBs are now providing this information to all patients. Although these articles are new, it sounds as though some of the research dates back a number of years. When I was last pregnant only 7 years ago, my doctor didn't place any specific restrictions on the use of Tylenol for headaches, etc. I tried to take it infrequently anyway, but can't say I abstained completely. Now seeing some of this newer research I wish that I had. Just posting as an FYI for anyone who hasn't seen.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/23/health/acetaminophen-pregnancy-wellness/index.html

https://www.thelily.com/scientists-urged-caution-for-using-a-common-pain-reliever-during-pregnancy-more-information-is-needed-obgyns-say/

All pregnant women should be put in a bubble until delivery and will only be allowed to eat air. Life is full of obstacles and possible problems.