Why do all the books say to stay away from Ibruprofen during pregnancy when my Dr. told me to take it?!?

Question

I went to the doctor, finally, after trying to tough out a horrible sinus infection. She asked me if I had talked to my OB and told her that they just connected me to a nurse who told me that I could take whatever I wanted as long as it didn't have codene in it. I rolled my eyes knowing what all of the books say and finally went to see this doctor a couple of days later when my head felt like it would explode.

ANYWAYS - I relayed to her that the nurse had told me I could take anything which I "knew" wasn't true because I can't take asprin or ibruprofen and she cut me off by saying that the nurse was correct, and that she thinks it's so funny how all of these pregnant women try to tell physicians what they can and cannot do when they're the ones who went to school for this. I was in too much pain to slap her (just kidding, just kidding), but I am just dumbfounded that NOW, being in my second pregnancy, I can just take whatever the heck I feel like. What's up?!

Answer 1

You can take ibuprofen during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, it's pregnancy category B same as Tylenol. Most books just assume pregnant women are too dumb to figure out which trimester they are in.

Low dose aspirin is also sometimes used during pregnancy.

However they both sounds like idiots, why are you putting up with this? You wouldn't put up with a plumber that treated you like this why do women put up with doctors they don't trust?

http://www.safefetus.com/DrugDetail.asp?DrugId=178&TradeName=Apo-Ibuprofen&TradeId=4079
B*
* Controlled studies done on animals in reproduction do not indicate risk to the fetus.
* No adequate and well-controlled studies done on pregnant women.
The risk category will be D only if used in the third trimester.

http://kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-approved-meds.html
Ibuprofen Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, Pediaprofin Approved B (1st, 2nd trim.)
D (3rd trim.)

http://www.motherisk.org/women/commonDetail.jsp?content_id=206
Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketorolac and other NSAIDS are not considered teratogenic in animals or humans. Due to their effects on prostaglandins, they may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, oligohydroamnion and bleeding complications. They are effective as tocolytic agents and have been used for the treatment of premature labor. They should be used with caution near term and careful follow-up for amniotic fluid volume and the patency of the ductus are mandatory.

Answer 2

The reality is that a lot of what doctors tell you is what they think, not what someone did a randomized, blinded clinical study to know for sure. That's why you will get different answers from every doctor, and from nurses as well. It's a good idea to avoid whatever you can, just in case, but ibuprofen has never really been shown to be harmful - but it's also never been shown to be harmless either. For an occasional, or sinus headache, it's fine. Aspirin was used for a LONG time, but doctors now say it's dangerous, since they found out it interferes with blood clotting. Most doctors now say to avoid it only in the third trimester, when you're more likely to have a baby and might have excessive bleeding. And ironically, they always say to avoid codeine, or any opiates, but those actually have the longest historical body of evidence behind them to show that they don't hurt a baby, unless you're a daily abuser.

Answer 3

There are a ton of schools of thought. Not every doctor agrees, not every nurse agrees.
Talk to more than one OB if you think they may be wrong.
There is a ton of stuff in Ibuprofen that isn't good for you when you aren't pregnant. I have never heard of the "take what you want, unless it has codeine in it" theory. So, take it with a grain of salt.
And by the way, how wonderful of that doctor to take your pregnancy out of your hands because you dont' have the degree she has. That's wonderful! She should have been slapped. This is your baby! Your pregnancy! You didn't tell her you wanted to smoke crack to cure your headache, you told her what most pregnant women believe! You can't take anything other than Tylenol.
I think the problem lies with your doctor. Find someone who thinks like you do, or make your ideas known and respected.


Stick with Tylenol, warm compresses and "sudafed" (*just plain sudafed, not nighttime, or anything).

And find a new doctor.

Answer 4

Every few years the list changes. Whats on the list NOT to take now will be dropped in a few years. I wouldnt be surprised to see tylenol taken off the list before long lol Actually think it was on teh do not take list for a while. Basically if YOU do not feel safe takign somethign then DONT. Yeah they went to school, but they have only been taught what anyone wants them to be taught. There is MUCH they do not know. I am currently breastfeeding and pregnatn and have caught hell abotu it, but NONE of them can give me a valid medical reason. All they say is o umm well you just shouldnt. They think induction is NECESSARY at 42 weeks and its not. C-sectiosn NECESSARY after 24 hours and they arent. Its all abotu lets intervene to cover our butts in the RARE case that somethign goes wrong. This is YOUR body, YOUR pregnancy. You soudn liek an intelligent woman to have asked twice since you werent sure so follow your own instincts. If you dont feel safe taking it then DON'T!! They are only people who have been taught what they THINK they know.

Answer 5

Tylenol is always going to be the safest.

When you are in labor they give you medicines in the same family as ibuprophin, even while breastfeeding after birth you take nearly 600ml ever 4 hours.

taking it once isnt going to hurt the baby, but taking it all the time or repeatedly can cause bleeding in you, and thin your blood and effect the baby greatly.

Personally, you should do what you feel to be right. Doctors dont kow everything. and nurses SURE dont either. My doctor gave me meningitus and nearly killed me, i spent 10 days dying in the hospital, by GYN told me I was infertile and HAD to be on BC to get pregnant. Which wasnt true at all, i got pregnant as soon as i tried to, without the pill.

They also tell women that medication for morning sickness is safe, yet they still end up spontaniously aborting their babies or having ones that are born with defect.

Dont take it if you dont want to. Take tylenol instead.

Answer 6

I know, it's pretty confusing. I have "What to Expect When Expecting" and "Your Pregnancy:Week by Week", both supposedly written by doctors. So I took all the advice in the book and didn't eat lunchmeat and hotdogs, well I told my doctor that I was doing that and she just laughed, she said she never heard of such a ridiculous thing and to eat whatever I want. Well, then why the heck did two books, written by two doctors write that we shouldn't eat lunchmeat. It can get pretty confusing, but I mostly follow my doctors orders, although I still don't eat lunch meat even though she says I can.

Answer 7

Look up the information provided by mystic_eye_cda, it is pretty much a direct quote from the 2007 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide. It is always better to seek out the facts rather than opinions. Also when it comes to drugs you can call ANY pharmacy and ask to speak to the Pharmacist and they can answer any questions you have about potential risks. I this way they would be the better source of accurate information because that is their job. MD's can be swayed by personal/popular opinion.

Answer 8

I know! It really pees me off! Because one doc says this, one doc says that, one books says this and another says something different. One mother says this then your mother will tell you are crazy for doing it! When I was pregnant and now with my 7 week old, I just want to kill anyone who dares give me advice! I dont care if there is a mother of ten who has brought up her children on crack and they are all PHD holders!
Dont they know that they there advice is just stressing you out and not helping you or the baby? Anyway...I will tell you want happened to me in my pregnancy but completely and totally up to you if you decide to follow it, because I dont know if its good or not.

I had a violent stomach flu in my pregnancy and I was violently throwing up everything even my stomach lining and couldnt even drink water. And I was terrified it was endangering my pregnancy. So I called my doctor and he prescribed me down the phone a supository (I think thats what they are called) but somthing that you put up your...behind (ok little gross, but I was willing to try anything!) and it is soaked up through your skin or something so it doesnt go through the blood stream and into the womb? I'm sure your doctor can explain it to you if you decide to go that way.

Answer 9

Ibuprophen is not safe in pregnancy. When the baby is inutero their is a patent ductus arteriosis in the baby's heart that needs to be open, when the baby is born and starts to breathe the ductus closes due to the changing pressures in the fetal circulation. If the ductus closes while in utero the baby will die. Ibuprophen works as a prostaglandin inhibitor, and if taken in the third trimester can close the ductus prematurely. So Do not take motrin.

Answer 10

I would contact another doctor and get a 2nd opinion, possibly consider changing drs. My OB has told me absolutely no Ibuprophen and gave me a great big package of reading material including a very in depth list of what OTC medications are allowed. The only pain reliever permitted is Tylenol. I'd be happy to e-mail you a copy of the list my dr. provided.