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

[Anonymous]

Please don't reply to tell me that I shouldn't take it--I know that now and am just looking for some reassurance.

I'm 18 weeks pregnant and just found out yesterday that I shouldn't be taking ibuprofen. My main source of pregnancy information (though maybe not anymore) is The Mother of All Pregnancy Books, and it says only that ibuprofen should be avoided in the third trimester. Somehow I never found the warnings against ibuprofen in my online info sources (though now that I check, of course they're there), and my notes from my first three prenatal checkups don't include anything about it (it only just came up in the fourth checkup).
So I've been taking ibuprofen pretty regularly throughout my pregnancy; in my first two weeks, before I knew, I was even on a high dose of it, to treat a jaw joint that was almost swollen shut from TMJ. Since then it's been my go-to (as it was before pregnancy) for headaches, sore hips, and leg cramps. I'm going to stop now, obviously--well before my third trimester--but apparently the first trimester was a pretty bad time to be taking it too.

Can anyone tell me a story to help me stop freaking out?

[Anonymous]

I never took it regularly but in my second pregnancy I did take it every once in a while because I was having significant joint and back pain. My son turned out just fine. Just talk to your doctor and let them know and see what they say. Since you say it came up in your checkup did you let them know and asks about adverse effects-- Also before 30 weeks it says that ibuprofen is a C class drug which most doctors will allow if the benefit outweighs the risks... Again i think your doctor is your best source but I think as long as everything is fine so far- it should hopefully be the same after.

[Anonymous]

My friend also didn't know. Took it in her 3rd trimester, her kid is TOTALLY FINE (is 5 years old now)!!

[Anonymous]

it doesn't harm the baby - it is a blood thinner (or something like that) and if you go into labor or have a c-section, you could bleed to death, which is why it is advised against during pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I had a friend who took it through most of her pregnancy -- she didn't know. Her kid is 6 and totally fine!

[Anonymous]

I've taken it a few times during pregnancy (less than 3 times probably) because my migraines were so bad and I didn't have anything else at home to take.

I think you'll be okay.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all! It was hard not to worry after finding out about this so late, but your stories have helped me relax.

[Anonymous]

Talk to your doctor, and stop taking it. You will likely be fine but it will be good for your doctor to know.

[Anonymous]

I think the issue early on is that it increases your chance of miscarriage, and later in pregnancy it can be bad for the baby's heart.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I want to say I took it once or twice - I think the main concern is that it is a blood thinner - correct? Also is it one of those that passes the blood barrier and gets in to the placenta vs another type of med.

If you have a really horrible ache or pain, I say take it because like PPs have said, the benefits outweigh the negatives and really, Tylenol just sucks. Does that stuff actually work for anyone?

Certainly make your OB aware.

FWIW - I took a couple vicodin during pregnancy for migraines. I was quite surprised but my OB prescribed them.

[Anonymous]

Motrin is in the same class of drugs as indocin. This medication is used to help pregnant patients before 32 weeks with preterm labor. It stops the conversion of arachodonic acid to prostoglandins that cause uterine contractions. In the second trimester, if used greater then 48 consistently ie every 6-8 hours the blood flow to the kidneys decreases and the amniotic fluid decreases. Doesn't sound like you are taking that much. When you go for you level 2 have them check the fluid around the baby if it looks fine I wouldn't worry too much. Its not used after 32 weeks because it can prematurely close the ductus arteriosis which Connects the aorta and the pulmonary artery. In preterm infants that have a patent ductus they will actually give oral motrin or iv indocin to close the PDA. Yes it's a blood thinner but you wont die from taking it and having a c/s.hope this helps...pretty sure you and your baby will be just fine. For now, just stick to Tylenol. Sorry for the Poor spelling.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

It can. Ause miscarriages, http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/sep/06/ibuprofen-warning-to-pregnant-women

[Anonymous]

Just don't take the same amounts of Tylenol now, even though that is supposed to be ok -- it has recently been linked to asthma:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/health/evidence-mounts-linking-acetaminophen-and-asthma.html?_r=1&