This news article expands on well known precautions of very selective medication during pregnancy under doctors supervision. However, I have encountered cases where expectant moms mistakenly thought that over the counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen (Advil) were "safe". Well this piece describes how even common medications like ibuprofen can have serious consequences during pregnancy.
New research is suggesting that women who take Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs,
like ibuprofen are substantially increasing their chances of suffering a miscarriage. The research that looked at early stages of pregnancy, found a 2.4 fold increase in spontaneous abortions. The study looked at prescribed NSAIDs in particular but doctors believe the risk would be present in over the counter varieties of the drug as well.
"We went through a lot of pain and misery to make sure what we're seeing is due to the drug and not a consequence of symptoms [of an underlying illness] or risk attributed to rheumatoid arthritis, for example," said Berard, who is director of the Research Unit on Medication and Pregnancy at St. Justine Hospital in Montreal.
Doctors already shy away from using NSAIDs in later stages of pregnancy because they can interfere with healthy development of fetal circulation, said Dr. Joseph I. Fernandez, division director of obstetrics and gynecology at Scott & White Healthcare in Round Rock, Texas.
Individual drugs had different risks associated with them, the highest being diclofenac, which tripled the risk, naproxen (Aleve), which involved a 2.64-times increased risk and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), which carried about double the risk. The study looked at the time period just before pregnancy, all the way to about 20 weeks in. This can understandably be a very sensitive time for expectant moms because they may not even know they are pregnant!
Chiropractic is a great healthcare option for expectant moms because it is all natural and works with the body's physiology instead of altering it. Because of the limited relief options pregnant women have at their disposal, Chiropractic can be that 'perfect' fit that allows a woman to decrease the pains of pregnancy, but at the same time improve the health of both mother and baby. I have treated several expectant moms in various stages of their pregnancy and all of them have benefited from care. Most of them understandably have reservations and questions in the beginning, especially about harm to the baby. However, after answering their questions and going trough careful Chiropractic adjustments for them, the relief is undeniable.
I am currently treating several patients who are in various stages of their pregnancies. In fact one of my patients is at 38 weeks! I have only seen her for 3 treatments but she reported experiencing significant relief in back pain and numbness that was traveling down one leg after the first visit. I also gave her recommendations on easy stretches and exercises she could do to improve her health and back pain that also helped.
Moral of the story is, if you are pregnant, expecting or just considering becoming pregnant, explore your healthcare options. The less medication you use the better, but of course not using any is the ideal. Visit my office or leave comments here!
In the Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver, stop on by or visit my website; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!
SOURCES: Anick Berard, Ph.D., professor, pharmacy, University of Montreal, and director, Research Unit on Medication and Pregnancy, St. Justine Hospital, Montreal; Joseph I. Fernandez, M.D., division director, obstetrics and gynecology, Scott & White Healthcare, Round Rock, Texas; Sept. 6, 2011, Canadian Medical Association Journal
