Medicines & Procedures

Is ibuprofen safe during pregnancy

Is ibuprofen safe during pregnancy

What ibuprofen is and why pregnancy changes the answer Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. It works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, which lowers prostaglandin production. That mechanism is helpful for headaches, dental pain, muscle aches, and inflammatory conditions, but prostaglandins also play important roles in pregnancy physiology. […]

Safe painkillers and paracetamol during pregnancy

Safe painkillers and paracetamol during pregnancy

Why paracetamol is usually the first choice Paracetamol is the painkiller many clinicians reach for first in pregnancy because it has a long track record of use and is commonly taken without harming the baby when used appropriately. Patient-facing guidance from the NHS states that if you are pregnant, paracetamol is usually the best painkiller […]

X-ray MRI and ultrasound safety during pregnancy

X-ray MRI and ultrasound safety during pregnancy

The central principle: image when the result matters Pregnancy does not make diagnostic uncertainty harmless. A missed diagnosis in the pregnant patient can threaten maternal oxygenation, circulation, infection control, surgery timing, or medication decisions, and maternal wellbeing is closely linked to fetal wellbeing. For this reason, expert guidance emphasizes that imaging should be performed when […]

Medication safety during pregnancy overview

Medication safety during pregnancy overview

Why medication safety in pregnancy is complex Pregnancy changes both physiology and clinical priorities. Blood volume expands, renal filtration often increases, gastrointestinal motility changes, and hepatic enzyme activity may shift. These changes can alter drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. A dose that was effective before pregnancy may work differently later, and some conditions, such […]