Pregnancy Risk Linked to Mild Pain Relievers

Avoidance of Pain Medications and Use of Alternative Treatments Safer

Male reproductive problems discovered

Male reproductive problems have been climbing within the last few decades. Now scientific evidence has surfaced showing that mild pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen may be the reason of the problem.

New research just published in Human Reproduction Today, has revealed women during pregnancy who had taken a combination of more than one mild pain reliever while pregnant or who had taken the pain relievers in the second trimester during their pregnancy had a greater risk of giving birth to sons with cryptorchidism, a condition which is acknowledged as a risk factor for low semen quality and testicular germ cell cancer in the later years of life.

Researchers from the countries of Denmark, Finland and France discovered that women who had taken more than one pain reliever at a time such as aspirin and paracetamol (O.T.C. Pain reliever) had shown seven times more of a risk of giving birth to sons with cryptorchidism than those women who did not take any pain relieving medications.

The second trimester appeared to be an exceptionally delicate time. Any type of pain relievers during this time had doubled the risk for cryptorchidism. Taking more than one type of pain reliever at a time had increased the risk 16 times more.

The evidence was sustained by work of researchers Dr. Ulla Hass from Denmark and Dr. Bernard Jegou from France had established in rats. They had discovered the pain relievers interrupted androgen production causing not enough male hormone testosterone to be produced during the vital stage when the male organs are forming. The reactions of the pain relievers on the rats was compared to the same kind of doses called endocrine(hormone)disruptor.

The study observed two groups of women, 834 in Denmark and 1463 in Finland. Who were in the study while pregnant. In Finland, questionnaires had been responded to in writing about pain reliever use during pregnancy and in Denmark questionnaires were done either by written answers or telephone interviews. Male babies were examined at birth for any signs of cryptorchidism which ranged from mild form where the testis is located high on the scrotum to severe form where the testis is so high up in the abdomen not easily seen.

Researchers did discover that women did greatly under-report the use of pain relievers in written questionnaires do to the fact they did not acknowledge mild pain relievers to be medications. Among the Danish women about 88.1 % admitted to taking pain relievers. Researchers found no significance in the Finish women and it was not understood why there was not the same type of outcome.

The results overall revealed for cryptorchidism in Finland 2.4% and in Denmark 9.3%. Researchers noted that using pain relievers while pregnant could be the reason for the additional risk of cryptorchidism.

Researchers suggest that to pregnant women that the use of pain relievers should be reconsidered. Also, that pregnant women should try to decrease the use of pain relievers during pregnancy. Since the researchers are biologists and do not feel something they should be advising on, they encourage women to talk to their practitioner about using pain relievers during pregnancy and to use as little as they can in pain relievers and even other medications.

Pain relievers and pregnancy do not mix

Medications always present a risk to you and the baby.

Aspirin which is full strength is not good for pregnant women particularly in the third month. It can cause bleeding occurrences in the mother and fetus which is highly dangerous if baby is born premature. In the late stages of pregnancy it can postpone the start of labor, decrease the strength and contractions and make the labor longer in duration. It can pose the risk for hemorrhaging during delivery and cause bleeding issues in the baby.

Over-the-counter medications to avoid

The list of these medications cover a broad span. The reasoning for avoiding the pain relievers is they do contain aspirin and caffeine. Some of the more popular medications include:

Anacin Analgesic tablets, Cope, Excedrin Extra Strength and Vanquish Analgesic tablets.

Other pain relievers to avoid are NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications) which includes pain relievers like Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.

Current belief is if these pain relievers are used in late pregnancy, they can cause issues such as aspirin can produce. In the last three months it is advised to omit the use of pain relievers all together.

There are some alternative treatments note for pain relief while pregnant and have been determined to be safe for most pregnant women. Back pain is one of the most known causes of pain during pregnancy.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care while pregnant can provide the mother and baby with numerous benefits. It enables relief of many pregnancy symptoms including back pain, joint pain and nausea. It also aides in putting the spine is the best position along with the pelvis and other joints.

Back pain, shoulder pain and other treatments can be safely received through different chiropractic techniques. No force is ever applied to any joint or vertebra than what is needed this includes treatment of the young, sports players, frail seniors and pregnant women. Spinal adjustments are easy on pregnant women due to the fact the joints have become soft.

Visits to a chiropractor while pregnant usually consist of once a month during the first three months. During the second trimester twice a month and in the last trimester once a week.

Research has noted that 90% of women receive relief from lower back pain after chiropractic treatments while pregnant along with pain relief from other symptoms such as headaches, carpal tunnel, sciatica and tendonitis.

Chiropractic care can also significantly decrease labor pain and delivery time. Research has also show that chiropractic treatments on a regular basis while pregnant can greatly reduce the chances of back labor due to the fact of improved joint functioning and flexibility from the routine care.

After pregnancy chiropractic care can aide in returning the body back to its normal state through therapies such as adjustments, muscle therapy and nutritional coaching.

Acupuncture

According to an old wives tale acupuncture can harm an unborn child. Needless to say this is untrue. Pregnant women can receive numerous benefits if seen by a licensed acupuncturist who has had at least training on acupuncture points for pregnancy.

Acupuncture during pregnancy cannot only decrease uncomfortable pain such as the back but can aide in relieving nausea, anxiety, migraines and more. Licensed practitioner know which points to use and which ones to avoid on a pregnant woman.

While in labor it has been greatly recommended to use acupuncture instead of medications for labor and delivery pain.

A common point used in acupuncture for the pregnant woman is Zusanli. This point is located four fingers above the kneecap and outer edge of the tibia. This point is used to strengthen the body, promote qi and ease stomach pain and more.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is now being offered to pregnant women in Britain. This therapy will now be offered at the Southmead Hospital's birth suite when they reopen in autumn of 2011.

Officials have state that 24 midwives that have received training in chemistry of essential oils will use them to help ease stress during birth.

The seven basic oils they will be using are bergamot, clary sage, jasmine, lavender, peppermint, frankincense and grapefruit that will be mixed in a base oil.

It will be used through inhalation, foot bath or compress to the skin or a drop placed on skin. Only trained midwives will be allowed to apply aromatherapy through massage and the mixing or prescribing of oils.

Currently in the United States aromatherapy is also used by pregnant women. In the first part of labor gentle massage around the stomach relieves the cramping. The recommended oil is lavender or chamomile by using three or four drops mixed with about 100ml of olive oil.

Essential oils for morning sickness relief is to use three drops of grapefruit or peppermint in a small bowl of water and keep at beside. Waking up to these scents can provide relief for nausea. In the daytime, simply take a cloth with three drops of peppermint put on it and inhale as needed.

For back pain have your partner rub the oil into back from tailbone up to shoulders. Use five drops of chamomile to a tablespoon of sweet almond or another carrier oil of your choice.

Word of caution not all essential oils are safe to use while pregnant due to the fact some of them effect the central nervous system. It may be best to seek the advice of a aromatherapist if you are not familiar with essential oils.

Do not use these essential oils while pregnant on your skin:

Basil, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Jasmine, Lemon Grass, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sage and Thyme.

It has been highly noted to avoid these oils all together while pregnant:

Calamus, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Sage, Winter Green, Basil, Hyssop, Myrrh, Majoram, and Thyme.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7418185-pregnancy-risk-linked-to-mild-pain-relievers