Percocet During Pregnancy

I feel for you. I had terrible Sciatica during my third pregnancy beginning during the 6th month and had to take tylenol with codeine throughout the remainder of my pregnancy and was very worried. I checked with my pediatrician, my pharmacist and re-checked with another ob. My baby was born the healthiest and biggest of all my boys!!! Go figure!

I just fell down my stairs today and got percocet 10/325. I'm still having a lot of pain and feel terrible about the medicine. But my sanity is valuable and I've convinced myself to take it. I'm 13 weeks with baby # 3. I think if my MIDWIFE was on board with the RX I could relax and recover.

Hey S.,
I did the same thing when I was pregnant. I was 6 months as well. They gave me vicodin. I talked to the doctor that prescribed it, the pharmacist and my OB. They all said it was ok. I was careful but my daughter was born just fine. As long as you're in your third trimester it's ok. Get feeling better!
A.

Hi S.,
I don't know if my email this morning was sent to you, b/c my computer sometimes doesn't send for some reason after I write the email and hit send. Anyway, from a medical perspective, you should stop taking the Percocet. In the 1st trimester the brain and spinal cord are being formed and this is the most critical time in your baby's development. After 1st trimester, I often tell patients that it is a safer time to take category 3 medication, during 2nd and 3rd trimester but it is necessary to weigh the risks vs. the benefits. If you can live w/out it and it is not a life threatening situation, don't take it. Percocet is okay for pain after pregnancy and although it can be transferred in breast milk, it is considered safe to breast feed. Percocet is given to women post-partum esp. in women post c-sections. Also, avoid NSAID's now like aspirin, advil, naproxen, aleve. Like caffeine, they constrict blood vessels and can decrease blood flow to your uterus and growing fetus. They say 1 cup of regular coffee per day is okay during pregnancy but stick to decaf or avoid it if you can.
The best advice is to rest your ankle, elevate it, wear an ace bandage wrapped snugly but not cutting off circulation and icing it often. You might try to book a physical therapy appt as well. They have machines that help reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing. Tylenol is safe in pregnancy and can be used to reduce pain; however, it is not great at reducing inflammation. Feel better and hope this helps.
Sincerely,
E.
PA-C, MPAS

Hi S.,
Because of a previously existing medical condition I had to take oxycontin and percocet during my pregnancy. I am now the mother of a beautiful three month old boy who weighs 14 pounds, loves to smile (especially at the ladies), is fantastically alert and responsive and has no health issues except the sensitive skin that goes along with having red hair and blue eyes! (please excuse my first time mom gushing- I can't seem to help myself :))

From my experience I can tell you that being in pain can in fact be more stressful for your baby in utero than taking a moderate dose of a narcotic pain reliever. I actually had to take pain relief because my pain instigated preterm labor and the medication actually protected both me and my baby from the physical stress that was so h*** o* us both - a surprise to me as I had believed my stoicism was protecting my pregnancy. I am not telling you this to scare you-- far from it. I am an unusual case, but I am sharing my story with you to let you know that the prevailing wisdom that going 'natural' is always best for your pregnancy is not always right, and to reassure you that my baby--who was exposed to much more than the amount of pain reliever you would be taking--is now, as his pediatrician likes to say, 'the picture of infant health.' Most medications are Class C because, and rightly so, it is unethical to do clinical tests on pregnant women. In the end, you just have to take the information you have at hand and listen to your intuition.

Whatever you choose, the best advice I can give is to make your decision and then let yourself be without agonizing. Extra anxiety isn't good for any of us, even when we aren't sharing our bodies with another little person! Good luck and I hope your ankle feels better soon!

I'm not sure about during pregnancy, but I took Percoset after my C-Section while I was breastfeeding and there was no issue with it and I have found that more things go into breastmilk than cross the placenta, so I would think its likely okay.

In my opinion, I wouldn't take such a strong drug while pregnant. Check into other options. Ask you doctor about acupuncture. I did that while pregnant and it helped. I feel that painkillers are just not good for you. Too many side effects.

R.

I would get off them and take enzymes (Papain and bromelain, Trypsin, etc) for the inflammation and ice often for the pain. You may as well get used to some pain and build your tolerance. Child birth is not pain free :-)

They give it to you after delivery in the hospital while breastfeeding. BUT, I wouldn't take it during pregnancy. Just me! I'm paranoid with that stuff !

Acupuncture will not only help with the pain but your ankle will heal faster.
D. Merlin
mother/author
www.victoryoveradhd.com

I took Percocet after labor with my first child. Anything that you take gets into your breastmilk (and to your baby during pregnancy) and other than sleeping more than was natural (and I am talking, I had to wake him up to eat or he would sleep through the day) there were no side effects.
If you are concerned about the effect this will have on your baby, just stop taking the pill. I know that sounds crazy, but I stopped taking it after the third day because I was concerned about my son sleeping too much. I still had pain, but I took something that wasn't as strong and it dulled the pain to a reasonable level.
You might think you are a wimp when it comes to pain, but I'm sure that if Percocet were harming your child, you would stop without a second thought. Tell your doctors your concerns and ask him if there is anything you can take that isn't so strong and would still help with the pain.

During my first pregnancy, I had major surgery that removed a cyst and ovary during my 20th week. The doctor gave me vicodin for the pain. While in the hospital, I tried to be superwoman and not take all the meds, it was my choice on how much I took. I don't like taking the narcotic drugs because they are so addicting, but the pain was more than I could handle. I took it for about two weeks when I returned home, and then switched over to IB profin. The doctors know this concern of expecting moms, and I truly believe that they have the baby's best interest at heart as well as the mom's. Just to let you know, my son did not have any repercussions. He is a delightful, energentic, almost two year old. We thank God that He took such great care of him while he was in the womb.

I was on vicodin es during my last pregnancy. She will be 4 next month. The medication was fine for me. The baby didn't have any problems from it at all. I have RSD in my right arm and leg and was on a few meds during my whole pregnancy.
Good luck.
K.