There is substantial concern among scientists that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy causes 3 serious risks to unborn babies.
NaturesReviewEndocrinology published a Consensus Statement in September 23, 2021,“Paracetamol use during pregnancy — a call for precautionary action”, to caution women against taking acetaminophen during pregnancy.
According to 91 international scientists, clinicians and public health professionals, there is growing evidence that acetaminophen increases risks to unborn babies for reproductive, neurodevelopment and urogenital disorders.
Potential Risks to the Unborn Baby
Risk of Neurodevelopmental Effects:
Scientists have witnessed increased cognitive, learning and/or behavioral problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, language delay (in girls) and decreased intelligence quotient in children whose mothers take acetaminophen in pregnancy.
Risk of Reproductive Effects:
Prenatal acetaminophen exposure has also been associated with earlier female pubertal development.
Risk of Urogenital Disorders:
Acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy might increase risk of male urogenital and reproductive tract abnormalities, as studies have found an elevated risk of undescended testicles (cryptorchidism) and reduced distance between the anus and the base of the penis.
In spite of concerns, ACOG and the FDA continue to recommend Acetaminophen in pregnancy
Acetaminophen has been the first choice analgesic for a long time
Acetaminophen, also known as APAP, is a widely used over the counter medication for pregnant women to control fever and reduce pain. There are few safe analgesics for pregnancy. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories such as Ibuprofen) are contraindicated due to risk of fetal kidney damage and interference of the closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus in the third trimester. For this reason Acetaminophen has been the first choice for pregnant women for a long time.
Fever during pregnancy is dangerous for unborn babies and does need to be controlled
It is well known that high fever >100.4 degrees Fahrenheit during pregnancy is a risk factor for multiple disorders, including neural tube defects and later life cardiovascular disorders. Women are advised to take measures to reduce fever in pregnancy. In spite of the concerns about the safety of acetaminophen in pregnancy, there remain certain situations, such as high fever and/or severe pain, that the benefits of acetaminophen outweigh it’s risks.
Smaller doses of Acetaminophen are safer
Adverse effects increase with quantity, frequency and duration of acetaminophen. It is recommend to use the lowest effective dose of Acetaminophen for the shortest possible time.
Talk to your midwife about safe alternatives
Safe home remedies to reduce fever during pregnancy
Drink lots of fluids, take a lukwarm bath and use a cool washcloth on your forehead.
Soak your socks
Soak your socks in a vinegar solution and place them on the feet. This approach helps ease a fever by drawing blood to the feet, which dramatically increases blood circulation.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic is a safe system of medicine that is 200 years old. It’s harmless during pregnancy and infancy and does not require a prescription. It originated in Germany and is based on the principal that disease can be cured by applying a substance similar to the symptoms. Another way to say this is ‘like cures like’. Homeopathy offers many remedies to reduce fever including belladonna, aconite and beladonna and many more.
Conclusion
While the authoritative institutions of ACOG and the FDA continue to recommend acetaminophen during pregnancy, there is substantial concern in the scientific community about it’s harmful effects on unborn babies. Women should be very cautious taking acetaminophen during pregnancy. In some situations, like an uncontrolled fever >100.4, the benefits of using acetaminophen in pregnancy may outweigh the risks, but in the smallest doses after other efforts have been exhausted.
