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Taking paracetamol while pregnant could harm your baby, experts warn.
A study found moms-to-be who take painkillers are more likely to have a preterm birth or a baby with birth defects.
Eight out of 10 women pop paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin to deal with pregnancy woes โ but they risk taking too much.ย
Study author Aikaterini Zafeiri, from the University of Aberdeen, said: โThe ease of access to painkillers, in combination with misinformation on the internet, raises safety concerns.
โThis is especially when self-medication decisions are taken during pregnancy without medical advice.โ
Data from 151,000 births over 30 years in Scotland found babies born to moms who took painkillers were 50 percent more likely to be premature.
They were 28 percent more likely to be underweight, compared to babies whose mothers did not take the pills, and at a 57 percent higher risk of needing neonatal hospital care.
Birth defects in the brain, spine and penis were also more likely, along with the danger of stillbirth or death shortly after birth.
The NHS says paracetamol is the first choice painkiller for most mums-to-be but they should only take a low dose for a short period โย and avoid ibuprofen.
Health service experts say: โMost medicines taken during pregnancy cross the placenta and reach the baby.
โBefore taking any medicine when youโre pregnant, including painkillers, check with your pharmacist, midwife or GP that itโs suitable.โ
Scientists donโt fully understand why the pills are risky but ibuprofen can damage kidneys and blood circulation, and paracetamol may disrupt crucial hormones.
Writing in the journal BMJ Open, Ms. Zafeiri added: โThe use of paracetamol in combination with other anti-inflammatory drugs conferred the highest risk.ย
โHealthcare guidance needs updating.โ
This article originally appeared onย The Sunย and was reproduced here with permission.