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If you’ve ever had a pounding headache, sore muscles, or a nasty fever, chances are you’ve reached for ibuprofen — maybe even without thinking twice. But when you’re expecting a baby, managing pregnancy pain with over-the-counter medications is a whole different story.
Here’s the thing: you’re not alone in wondering about this. In fact, about 1 in 14 pregnant women have taken ibuprofen during pregnancy — sometimes because they didn’t know they were pregnant yet, other times because they thought, “It’s just for pain. How bad could it be?”
Unfortunately, the answer is: bad enough to matter. Ibuprofen isn’t considered safe during pregnancy, and the increased risk varies depending on how far along you are. That is, unless your doctor has advised you to take ibuprofen for a specific condition.
Let’s walk through the science, the risks, and the safer choices — so you can make informed decisions without losing sleep.
Key Takeaways
- Ibuprofen is a type of NSAID prescribed for pain, fever, and inflammation.
- Ibuprofen is not safe during most of pregnancy (unless prescribed by your doctor).
- Risks of taking ibuprofen vary by trimester but can be severe.
- Taking ibuprofen in the first trimester is linked with low birth weight of the baby, birth defects, and complications with the pregnancy.
- In the second trimester, ibuprofen can hinder the development of the baby’s kidneys and cause low amniotic fluid levels.
- In the third trimester, it can cause high pressure to develop in the baby’s lungs.
- Ibuprofen is safe while breastfeeding.
- A safe alternative to ibuprofen is acetaminophen (with your doctor’s approval). Avoid other NSAIDs unless prescribed.
Quick Refresher: What Is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID for short. You’ve probably seen it sold under brand names like Advil®, Motrin®, or Nuprin®. It’s commonly used to help treat pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a fever.
How ibuprofen works
Your body makes natural chemicals called prostaglandins. These cause things like pain, swelling, and fever. Ibuprofen works by blocking the enzymes that help your body make those prostaglandins.
When prostaglandin levels drop, pain and inflammation usually get better — which is great in most situations. But during pregnancy, prostaglandins do more than just cause discomfort. They play a key role in your baby’s growth and development, including the development of vital blood vessels, so blocking them at the wrong time can lead to serious problems.
Why Would I Need Ibuprofen During Pregnancy?
In everyday life, ibuprofen is a go-to for things like headaches, period cramps, sore muscles, muscle aches, arthritis, and fevers. During pregnancy, though, it’s rarely the first choice. A doctor might recommend it only for certain long-term conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, and usually only if other treatments haven’t helped.
The one real exception is low-dose aspirin, which can help prevent complications like preeclampsia. At a low dose, aspirin can be safe when your doctor recommends it, unlike NSAID use in general, which should be approached with caution. But that’s very different from taking ibuprofen for an occasional headache or backache.
Can I Take Ibuprofen While Pregnant?
The safest answer is no, unless your doctor has a specific reason for you to take it and is keeping a close eye on things. Ibuprofen can affect your baby differently depending on the stage of pregnancy — from the first trimester to the third — so the risks depend on when you take it.
First-trimester risks
Prostaglandins play an important role in early pregnancy — the period up until you’re about 13 weeks pregnant. They help regulate blood flow and support tissue growth while your baby’s heart, brain, spine, and other major organs are forming.
A large 2023 study involving more than 1.8 million pregnancies found that taking NSAIDs in the first 90 days was linked to a higher risk of complications. Women who used NSAIDs had a 14 percent higher chance of major birth defects, a 29 percent higher chance of having babies born with low birth weight, and a 9 percent higher chance of low amniotic fluid levels. These risks were noticeably higher compared to women who used acetaminophen instead or stopped NSAIDs before becoming pregnant.
While the percentage increases might not seem huge, early pregnancy is a fragile time. Even small disruptions can have lasting effects on a baby’s health, and some research suggests they could even raise the risk of behavioral problems later in life.
Second-trimester risks
By about 20 weeks, going into your second half of pregnancy, your baby’s kidneys are working to make enough amniotic fluid to surround and protect them. This fluid isn’t just a cushion — it plays a big role in helping the lungs, digestive system, and muscles develop.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises against ibuprofen use after the 20-week mark because it can affect your baby’s kidney function, which can lower amniotic fluid levels. When that fluid drops too low, it can lead to problems like cord compression, poor lung development, and even the need for an early delivery.
Third-trimester risks
In the last stage of pregnancy, ibuprofen can cause the premature closure of a key blood vessel in your baby’s heart — the ductus arteriosus. This vessel helps deliver nutrients and oxygen before birth and normally closes on its own a few days after your baby arrives. If it closes early, it can lead to high blood pressure in your baby’s lungs.
There’s also research suggesting that using ibuprofen to relieve pain later in pregnancy can lower your amniotic fluid levels or increase the chances of heart defects and asthma later in childhood. By this point, taking ibuprofen for even a short time can carry risks.
Ibuprofen and Breastfeeding
Things are different once your baby is born. Ibuprofen, usually bought over the counter, is generally safe to use while breastfeeding. Only a tiny amount makes its way into breast milk, and your body clears it pretty quickly. In fact, doctors sometimes give ibuprofen directly to infants in doses much higher than anything they’d get through nursing.
That’s why, for breastfeeding moms who need pain relief, ibuprofen is often one of the medications doctors recommend.
Ibuprofen and Fertility
This is something a lot of people don’t really think about. About 21 percent of women say they’ve used ibuprofen in the three months before conception — but is that safe?
It’s probably not the best move. Prostaglandins play a key role in both ovulation and implantation, and taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen around that time might interfere, making it harder to conceive.
More research is still needed, but many fertility specialists suggest steering clear of NSAIDs in the days right before ovulation if you’re trying for a baby.
What if I Took Ibuprofen Before Realizing I’m Pregnant?
First, try not to panic. If you took a few doses before you knew you were pregnant, it’s unlikely to cause any major problems. The bigger worries come with high doses or taking it regularly, especially after the halfway mark of pregnancy.
Still, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor so they can note it in your records and keep an eye on things just to be safe.
Safe Alternatives to Ibuprofen During Pregnancy
Acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol®, is usually the top pain reliever when you need relief during pregnancy, often recommended alongside physical therapy. It works differently from ibuprofen and isn’t tied to the same kidney or heart risks for your baby.
That being said, it’s always best to consult a doctor before taking anything when you’re pregnant. They can provide you with the exact guidance and ensure you and your baby are safe and healthy.
Other things to keep in mind
Ibuprofen isn’t the only pain medicine you’ll want to steer clear of during pregnancy. Other NSAIDs like naproxen, diclofenac, indomethacin, celecoxib, and regular-dose aspirin can cause similar problems for your baby. The one exception is low-dose aspirin, often called “baby aspirin.” If your doctor prescribes it — usually to help prevent preeclampsia — it’s considered safe, and like all medications, it’s important to take it as directed.
So, can you take ibuprofen while pregnant? In most cases, the answer is no — unless there’s a very specific reason and your doctor is keeping a close eye on you while taking anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs. The trouble is, ibuprofen can cause different problems depending on when you take it. Early on, it may affect your baby’s organ development, and later it can lead to heart and kidney complications.
If you’re in pain, talk it over with your healthcare provider. They can guide you toward safer options. Acetaminophen is usually the go-to, but even that should be used sparingly and only for as long as you truly need it for pregnancy pain.
Your comfort is important, but so is your baby’s well-being — and the choices you make now can help keep you both healthy.
FAQs
No — Advil® is a brand name for ibuprofen, which is generally not safe during pregnancy. It can cause complications like low amniotic fluid, heart issues in the baby, and even affect organ development, depending on when it’s taken. Always check with your doctor before taking any pain medicine while pregnant.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is usually the safest choice for headaches in pregnancy. It works differently than ibuprofen and doesn’t carry the same risks to your baby. Use the lowest effective dose, and if headaches are frequent or severe, talk to your healthcare provider.
Don’t panic — one or two doses taken before you realized you were pregnant are unlikely to cause serious harm. The biggest risks come with high doses or long-term use, especially after 20 weeks. Still, let your doctor know so they can monitor your pregnancy if needed.
Yes — ibuprofen is generally considered safe for breastfeeding moms. Only very small amounts pass into breast milk.
In most cases, no. Ibuprofen is linked to kidney problems, heart issues, and other complications in the baby. If you need to manage pain during pregnancy, acetaminophen is typically the safer option compared to other medications — but always check with your healthcare provider first, and always take medications under your doctor’s supervision.
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Use of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Pregnancy: Impact on the Fetus and Newborn
Ibuprofen – Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) – NCBI Bookshelf
Analgesic use at ovulation and implantation and human fertility – PMC
Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (Nsaids) Induced Reversible Infertility – Review Article
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