Safe Pain Relief During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know About Taking Painkillers While Pregnant
Zoie Health’s resident GP, Dr Caitlin Parker tells us all we need to know about taking painkillers during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be a rollercoaster of experiences, and one common issue many expectant moms face is figuring out how to safely manage pain and discomfort. It’s natural to want to make sure that any medicine taken during this special time is both effective and safe for your baby. One challenge with medications during pregnancy is the lack of extensive research. Testing drugs on pregnant or breastfeeding women is rare due to the possible risks involved. So, doctors often need to carefully consider the potential benefits of a medicine against any risks it might carry. Now, let’s explore the options for pain relief during pregnancy. Paracetamol: A Preferred Choice Paracetamol is often the first choice for pain relief during pregnancy. It works by calming pain signals in the body and brain. It’s great for common pains like headaches or muscle aches and is available in many forms, including tablets, liquid, and even fizzy tablets. It’s important to use paracetamol as directed, especially if you have liver issues. Also, taking too much can be harmful. NSAIDs: Use With Caution During Pregnancy NSAIDs, which include common drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, help reduce pain by controlling inflammation. However, these drugs can affect important processes in foetal development, especially regarding certain blood vessels in the baby. This means they might be risky, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. Generally, it’s best to avoid NSAIDs while pregnant, unless your doctor advises otherwise for specific reasons. Aspirin and Opioids: Think Carefully Aspirin is another pain reliever that falls into the NSAID category. Sometimes, in low doses and for certain conditions, doctors might prescribe it during pregnancy. But, like NSAIDs, it’s better to use it only if your doctor recommends it. Opioids are strong pain relievers but come with significant risks, like addiction and serious side effects. They are usually a last resort for severe pain during pregnancy and should always be used under a doctor’s supervision. The risks associated with opioids are higher in the later stages of pregnancy. Combination Painkillers: Be Mindful Many over-the-counter painkillers combine different types of pain relief in one pill. While this can be more convenient, it’s crucial to understand what’s in these combination drugs to avoid accidentally taking too much, especially if you’re also taking other medicines like cold or flu remedies. Alternatives to Medicine Besides medication, practices like breathing exercises and mindfulness can also help manage pain and stress during pregnancy in a safe way. In Summary Paracetamol is generally the safest option for pain relief during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But it’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any medicine. They can help you choose the safest and most effective options for your particular stage of pregnancy and health needs. Remember, we at Zoie are here to support you throughout your pregnancy. If you’re in pain and home remedies aren’t helping, or if you have any worries, please get in touch with us for personalized advice. Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided herein, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material, is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. For any questions, queries or concerns, please contact Dr Caitlin at support@zoiehealth.com Sources: Dr Caitlin Parker.
Tools To Use If You Or Someone You Know Is In An Abusive Relationship
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Partnering with Aura to bring women’s safety to South Africa
Zoiehealth partnered with Aura to create a Zoie panic button that allows women to request immediate armed or medical response. According to the 2019 Global Homicide Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), South Africa is in the top 5 countries with the highest rape, femicide and female assault statistics in the world. Approximately 51% of South African women over the age of 18 have experienced gender-based violence and at least 7 women are murdered every day in South Africa. The latest crime statistics published by the South Africa Police Service aren’t any less scary with an average of 67 murders and 153 rapes reported every day. At Zoie, we believe that we can’t talk about women’s health without talking about women’s safety, especially in South Africa. Given the danger many women face in South Africa, we wanted to be part of contributing to helping women feel safer and more secure. As such, we’ve launched the Zoie Plus Emergency Panic Button targeted at women. By using the AURA technology, Zoie members can request an immediate armed or medical response via the Emergency Panic Button feature on the Zoie app, wherever and whenever they may need it, all in the palm of their hands. How The Zoie Panic Button Works Zoie’s partnership with Aura enables Zoie members to connect to a network of registered armed response and medical response units in real time. Subscribers can request immediate mobile armed response and medical assistance by tapping the Zoie panic button in the app and the closest available unit is then directed to the member via their smartphone’s location services. Should they experience an incident, the Zoie panic button allows Zoie members also get access to free trauma counselling. Zoie Health co-founder Thato Schermer shares, “We are constantly looking for opportunities to better serve and care for our members and being a woman in South Africa, safety is often our number one concern. So this is personal for us as a team as it is for so many other women in South Africa.” Justin Sattner, Aura South Africa GM echoes this sentiment. “Safety for women in South Africa is a top priority, especially when we look at the statistics. We’re proud to have helped women in domestic violence and sexual assault incidents and will continue to focus on saving and improving lives.” As part of the partnership with Aura, Zoie members have access to Aura’s wide network of responders, which includes 5 400 armed response officers, 250 armed response service providers, a 5-8 minute response time for medical and security emergencies and coverage across all 9 provinces in South Africa. To find out more about the Zoie Plus Emergency Panic Button or to subscribe, download the Zoie Health app on iOS and Android.