Pregnancy can be an anxiety-inducing time for mums-to-be, who are understandably desperate to do everything ‘right’ to keep their baby as safe as possible.
The last thing women need is a world leader delivering medical misinformation. Yet, we live in a world where Donald Trump is the US president.
On Monday, Trump claimed paracetamol use is linked to autism. And disturbingly, doctors in the US will soon be advised not to prescribe the pain reliever to pregnant women.
As well as claiming paracetamol – which is called Tylenol in the US – had caused a ‘meteoric rise’ in cases of autism, Trump made unsubstantiated comments about pregnancy and vaccines, at a time when childhood deaths from measles and whooping cough are rising due to vaccine hesitancy.
It’s true that most medicines taken during pregnancy cross the placenta and reach the baby. What Trump has failed to mention, is that some illnesses are far more dangerous to an unborn child than the medication used to treat them.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged pregnant women not to pay ‘any attention whatsoever’ to the US president.
‘In fact, don’t even take my word for it, as a politician – listen to British doctors, British scientists, the NHS,’ he added.
With that in mind, Metro spoke to British doctors and pharmacists about the drugs pregnant women should and shouldn’t be taking for pain relief.
Paracetamol — ‘the first-choice’ painkiller
Paracetamol is recommended as the ‘first-choice painkiller’ for pregnant women by the NHS.
Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA, the UK’s regulator, said: ‘There is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.
‘Our advice on medicines in pregnancy is based on rigorous assessment of the best available scientific evidence. Any new evidence that could affect our recommendations would be carefully evaluated by our independent scientific experts.
‘Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby, so it is important to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment.’
Untreated pain and fever during pregnancy has been linked to an increase in birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight and miscarriage.
The NHS does advise pregnant women to use paracetamol ‘at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration’.
A major study in 2024 in Sweden, involving 2.4 million children, found no link between paracetamol and autism.
Aspirin — low doses considered safe
Low-dose aspirin, such as 75mg, is considered safe to use throughout pregnancy, but always check with your midwife or doctor.
‘Low-dose aspirin may even be prescribed by your medical team to prevent or delay the onset of preeclampsia,’ explained pharmacist Deborah.
‘And it can be prescribed to reduce the risk of miscarriage as it improves blood flow to the placenta and prevents blood clots that may interfere with the pregnancy and pose a risk.’
Ibuprofen — avoid unless prescribed
The use of ibuprofen during pregnancy is not advised by the NHS unless prescribed by a doctor.
Deborah Grayson, a qualified British pharmacist who runs Practice With Confidence and is known as the Godmother of Pharmacology on TikTok,told Metro this is because Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen ‘can have risks at all stages’ during pregnancy.
‘There are some risks to consider when taking ibuprofen during the first and second trimesters. These include a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, particularly with frequent use, and the potential for effects on the baby’s kidney development,’ she said.
‘In the third trimester, the risks associated with ibuprofen become significantly more serious, and its use is generally not recommended. One major concern is the premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, a vital blood vessel in the baby’s heart, which can lead to severe heart and lung complications if it closes too early.
‘Additionally, ibuprofen may reduce the amount of amniotic fluid, which serves to cushion and protect the baby from shocks and movement. It can also impair the baby’s kidney function and interfere with prostaglandins, which are hormones that help initiate labour, potentially resulting in prolonged or more difficult labour.’
Codeine — avoid unless prescribed
The NHS advises avoiding opiate painkillers during pregnancy. Pharmacist Deborah explained: ‘Opiate painkillers, when used regularly during pregnancy, can cause dependence in the developing baby with a risk of withdrawal in the newborn stages.
‘There are also reports of malformations in the heart and lungs if used in the first trimester. Administration during labour can also reduce respiration (breathing) in newborns.’
Again, as with all medications, codeine should only be used when there is a ‘clear clinical need’, under medical supervision.
‘Alternative measures for pain include CBT, hypnotherapy, and acupuncture, all of which are completely safe during pregnancy,’ the pharmacist added.
