Can You Take Ibuprofen While Pregnant?

Between headaches, nausea and back pain, pregnancy is notoriously uncomfortable. (In all fairness, you are growing a human being from scratch!) Amid all the aches and pains, you might be wondering which medications are safe during pregnancy. For example, can you take ibuprofen while pregnant?

The short answer: most providers advise against taking ibuprofen during pregnancy, particularly after you hit the 20-week mark. Read on for everything you need to know about taking ibuprofen while pregnant, and learn about some safer alternatives.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s used to treat mild to moderate pain and inflammation including headaches, muscle aches, fever and cramps. Brand-name drugs of ibuprofen include Advil, Midol and Motrin, per Cleveland Clinic. “NSAIDs are medicines used to help control and counteract the substances our bodies produce in response to injury and inflammation,” explains Jeff Ecker, MD, chief of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Can I Take Ibuprofen While Pregnant?

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are generally not recommended during pregnancy, particularly after 20 weeks, says Robin Kalish, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and director of clinical maternal-fetal medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. “While adverse effects in the first trimester aren’t fully known, ibuprofen can potentially negatively impact the fetal kidneys and heart in the second and third trimester of pregnancy,” she says.

If you’re considering taking ibuprofen early on in pregnancy, be sure to check in with your provider first. If you have a history of kidney disease, bleeding problems or ulcers, they may advise against NSAIDs altogether, says Ecker. Research is unclear on whether ibuprofen can raise the chance of miscarriage.

“Although NSAIDs can be safe in short courses prior to 20 weeks, there are other alternatives for managing pain,” says Erin Higgins, MD, an ob-gyn at Cleveland Clinic in Independence, Ohio.

What happens if you accidentally take a dose of ibuprofen while pregnant? It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor—but try not to stress. Any potential risks “are more likely when higher and sustained doses of medicines like ibuprofen are taken,” says Ecker.

Potential Risk Factors and Side Effects of Taking Ibuprofen in Pregnancy

When taken at or after week 20 of pregnancy, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs “may cause rare but serious kidney problems” in baby, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“By 20 weeks gestation, the fetal kidneys produce amniotic fluid,” explains Kalish. When there’s not enough blood flow to baby’s kidneys, it can cause a decrease in amniotic fluid, which is essential for development of baby’s lungs, muscles and more. Low amniotic fluid can also lead to complications that cause umbilical cord compression during labor, notes Higgins.

Ibuprofen use may also lead to premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel “that’s critical to maintaining a pattern of circulation needed during fetal growth and development when the placenta [rather than the] lungs are the organ [providing] vital oxygen,” says Ecker. If the ductus arteriosus closes too early, it can lead to serious complications, including high blood pressure in baby, heart failure or even death, says Higgins.

Keep in mind that doctors don’t have “perfect information” on how most medications, including ibuprofen, affect pregnant people, says Ecker. Most of what we know comes from collecting data from patients who have reasons to take medicine while pregnant. “That makes it [hard] to untangle what the potential effect of a medicine is from the potential effect from the underlying disease, injury or condition that led someone to use a medication,” he says.

Alternatives to Ibuprofen While Pregnant

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally safe to use for common pregnancy complaints like headaches and back pain.

In addition to taking acetaminophen when needed for headaches, experts recommend avoiding known triggers such as certain foods, drinking plenty of water and trying a massage or a cold pack.

Keep in mind that caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches during pregnancy, “especially if regular and heavy coffee or tea drinkers stop abruptly upon discovering that they’re pregnant,” adds Ecker. He says that drinking small amounts of caffeine, like one or two cups of coffee or tea a day, which is safe in pregnancy, may help.

For back pain, Kalish also recommends trying better positioning in bed with pillows, intermittent use of warm and cold packs on your back, massage, stretching and prenatal yoga. It’s a good idea to talk to your provider, who could refer you to a physical therapist.

Higgins also suggests using a pregnancy belly band and warm baths to manage back pain. “Many of these methods can help to treat various aches, pains and discomforts of pregnancy, including sciatica, pubic symphysis dysfunction and round ligament pain,” she says.

Bottom line: It’s best to avoid ibuprofen while pregnant—particularly after 20 weeks, unless otherwise recommended by your doctor. The truth is: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you have specific concerns, be sure to reach out to your provider.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.