Has anyone here taken ibuprofen during pregnancy and turned out OK?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's some misunderstanding of the reasons you shouldn't take ibuprofen.

You should not take ibuprofen during the 3rd trimester because that is when the heart chambers are closing. There is evidence that ibuprofen CAN (doesn't mean it always happens) keep the heart from closing properly, so the baby is born with a "hole in the heart" (inside the heart).

Ibuprofen does not increase the risk of miscarriage.

Many OBs will advise against ibuprofen during pregnancy so as not to confuse people, but if you are taking it in the first or second trimester, and as directed, it's fine.

Some evidence from 2008, not particularly strong, suggest asprin and non-steriod anti inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen for example) should be avoided during the first trimester:

Bibliographic details: Nakhai-Pour HR, Berard A. Major malformations after first-trimester exposure to aspirin and NSAIDs. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology 2008; 1(5): 605-616.

The authors concluded that exposure to aspirin or NSAIDs during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with the risk of gastroschisis (aspirin), cardiac malformations (NSAIDs) and orofacial malformations (naproxen). The authors' conclusion reflected the evidence presented. However, due to a lack of validity assessment and reliance upon observational studies, the reliability of the authors conclusions is unclear. Full critical summary

[Anonymous]

From http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/p/pda/:

While still in the mother's womb, a baby doesn't need his or her lungs to supply oxygen because the baby receives oxygen via the mother's lungs and placenta. Since a baby's lungs do not provide oxygen, there is no need for energy to be expended pumping blood to the lungs. The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that is present in all babies while still in the womb that allows blood to bypass the pathway to the lungs; it allows blood to flow from the pulmonary artery to the aorta.

When the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the lungs are now needed to supply oxygen. The lungs expand, their blood vessels relax to accept more flow and the ductus arteriosus usually closes within the first hours of life. On occasion, however, the ductus arteriosus does not close on its own. This is referred to as a patent ("open") ductus arteriosus. While this condition is much more often seen in premature babies, it may also appear in term infants.

If taken in the 3rd trimester, ibuprofen may close or constrict the ductus arteriosus, which would negatively impact baby's heart and kidney functions.

[Anonymous]

I took ibuprofen regularly with both my pregnancies, cause its the only pain medicine that's ever worked for me! Both my babies came out just fine. Son was born at 42 weeks 8.7 pds and my daughter exactly 40 weeks at 8.0pds. I take ibuprofen pretty regularly, cause to me it seems safer than all other pain meds combined. Other pain meds just make me jittery and not feel good! So I stick to what I know best! Good ol' Advil!

[Anonymous]

Don't take it after 32 weeks other than that you ll be fine

[Anonymous]

I'm sure you'll be fine. What I don't understand, however, and this is not specifically directed at you, is why apparently so many women will take medications during pregnancy unless they are specifically told that something is to be avoided. I was very reluctant to take medications in pregnancy, because I think the default should be not to take anything unless somebody specifically tells you it's ok and that the benefits outweigh the risks, because any medication, even the ones that are ok in pregnancy, come with a certain amount of risk to the fetus.

Maybe I think that way because I'm from Europe and the mentality with regard to meds is different there.

[Anonymous]

What happn if we think she's pregnat but don't now for sure n takes many nibuprofen??? HELP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure you'll be fine. What I don't understand, however, and this is not specifically directed at you, is why apparently so many women will take medications during pregnancy unless they are specifically told that something is to be avoided. I was very reluctant to take medications in pregnancy, because I think the default should be not to take anything unless somebody specifically tells you it's ok and that the benefits outweigh the risks, because any medication, even the ones that are ok in pregnancy, come with a certain amount of risk to the fetus.

Maybe I think that way because I'm from Europe and the mentality with regard to meds is different there.

I don't think it's a European thing. Most women I know have been reluctant to take even the medicines that are prescribed/okayed during pregnancy. Fortunately, seems like the OP will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One more thing...the chambers of your babies heart are already developed. Taking motrin isn't going to
Cause a hole in the heart.

This is such a weird thing to say. The heart has not finished closing up yet; lots of babies are born with "holes" because the process is not completed. This post is from two years ago, so I'm sure this poster isn't around anymore, but of course you can still develop heart defects as the pregnancy progresses.

Signed, a mom whose first was born with two small (benign) holes in his heart which have since closed.

[Anonymous]

It's a small risk - don't worry about it, just stop taking it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a small risk - don't worry about it, just stop taking it.

+1

I took it while pregnant with DD1 and she is a super healthy 5 year old.

[Anonymous]

I realize this post is two years old and said pregnancy is now probably a toddler, but isn't ibuprofen recommended by rheumatologists for some women with very specific conditions? Of course in that situation the benefits almost certainly outweigh the risks.

[Anonymous]

I was on Vioxx, a super-strong NSAID now banned, for a few days before I knew I was pregnant! My kid turned out just fine. So, I can't imagine a few advils would really hurt, by why risk it?

[Anonymous]

It's only a problem in the 3rd trimester, folks.

[Anonymous]

I'm worried I took an 800mg ibuprofen and I'm.15 weeks I'm scared because I haven't felt my baby move all day and normally he/she I'd very active

[Anonymous]

I was advised by my OB to take ibuprofen I my second trimester. I was recovering from abdominal surgery and was told it was better than Tylenol for that type of pain.