Acetaminophen and Pregnancy

Acetaminophen and Pregnancy

Acetaminophen, the drug used in Tylenol, has long been heralded as the one medication that pregnant women could turn to, to help with their hormonally induced aches and pains. In fact, if you call your doctor, or search online how to cure a backache when pregnant, aside from the standard rest, ice, and elevation, you will get acetaminophen (Tylenol) as the answer.

Even so, knowing everything that goes into your body also goes into your growing baby’s body, it is only normal to question whether Tylenol use is as safe as it is assumed during pregnancy.

Recently, as reported by NBC News, a study — the first of its kind to look at young children of mothers who took Tylenol during pregnancy — found that frequent use of the pain reliever appears to be linked to “poorer language skills and behavior problems.”

According to the report:
“using Tylenol or its generic form (acetaminophen) for a total of 28 days or more — total, not consecutive — during pregnancy upped the risk by 70% of a child developing “poorer motor skills… [and they] also tended to start walking later, have poorer communication and language skills and more behavior problems.”

Of course, the important aspect of the study is the indication that TOO MUCH acetaminophen, or acetaminophen in HIGH DOSES can cause problems. Generally speaking, if you MUST take a pain medicine, then acetaminophen is definitely the best choice over other pain-killers, like ibuprofen (Motrin / Advil). But, it is probably best to treat the aches and pains without medications, if you can do so.

Taking medications during pregnancy is never really advised. That being said, there are many instances where the benefits of the medication greatly outweigh the risks to your baby. If you must take either prescription or over-the-counter medication,  be sure to clear it with your doctor first, and make sure you take as little as possible.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.