Can pregnant women take ibuprofen for pain relief?

Ibuprofen is a pain reliever medication that is effective in treating headaches, toothaches, menstrual pain, and pain caused by colds. Ibuprofen is relatively safe in small doses, but pregnant women are not advised to take this drug because it can pose a risk of pregnancy problems.

What are the side effects of ibuprofen on pregnancy? Then, what types of pain relievers are safer for pregnant women?

Effects of ibuprofen for fetal health and pregnant women

Ibuprofen is a pain reliever that belongs to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs work by inhibiting the production of the hormone prostaglandins in response to the body's pain and injury.

About 30% percent of pregnant women take ibuprofen during the first trimester of pregnancy. Causes of pain usually come from hormonal changes, stress, stretching of the abdominal muscles, and flatulence due to excess gas production.

Taking a single dose of ibuprofen is not dangerous for the fetus or pregnant woman. However, recent research has found that regular consumption of ibuprofen has been shown to interfere with fetal development.

Once ingested, ibuprofen will enter the mother's bloodstream towards the placenta. This drug is able to penetrate the placenta and has a direct impact on the development of the fetus.

Health risks vary per trimester, including:

1. The first and second trimesters

Obstetricians usually will not allow pregnant women to take ibuprofen at this gestational age, unless there are certain health conditions that require it.

The reason is, this drug can affect pregnancy since the early trimester.

Taking ibuprofen in the first trimester can increase the risk of miscarriage. In addition, the fetus is also at risk for heart defects, testicular position abnormalities, and defects in the abdominal wall.

One of the research results published on the page Bumps also found an association between ibuprofen consumption with several other diseases. Among them are spina bifida (defect in the spine), cleft lip, and placental abnormalities.

However, these findings still need to be studied further because the effect of ibuprofen for pregnant women in the early trimester varies considerably compared to the final trimester.

Certain diseases suffered by pregnant women can also affect the pregnancy process.

2. Third trimester

Women who are pregnant in the third trimester are not advised to take ibuprofen, unless their doctor advises otherwise.

This is because ibuprofen can interfere with the development of the placenta and fetus during this period.

Regular consumption of ibuprofen causes one of the pathways in the fetal heart to close early. As a result, the heart and lungs are deprived of oxygen-rich blood supply.

This condition can result in organ damage and death. Ibuprofen is also suspected to cause a disorder called oligohydramnios when used for pregnant women.

The disorder is characterized by a very small amount of amniotic fluid. If the amniotic fluid is lacking, the fetus can develop developmental obstacles that are fatal.

Besides harming the fetus, pregnant women are also not advised to take ibuprofen because it can affect labor.

Taking ibuprofen a week before delivery can prolong labor and increase the risk of bleeding.

For pregnant women, ibuprofen is not the right choice of pain reliever drug because of its effect on the fetus. Instead, you can choose paracetamol which is safer with mild side effects.

Use the smallest dose and watch the amount you drink. If the pain persists or you experience other side effects, consult your doctor to find a more suitable medication.