Pregnancy issues more likely in painkiller users

WOMEN who use painkillers during their pregnancy are 1.5 times more likely to have complications than those who do not, a study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen found higher instances of preterm birth, still birth, neonatal death and physical defects among women who regularly took pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

They analysed more than 151,000 pregnancies over 30 years.

Aikaterini Zafeiri, from the university, said: “It should be reinforced that paracetamol in combination with NSAIDS [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs] is associated with a higher risk and pregnant women should always consult their doctor or midwife before taking over-thecounter drugs.”

The study was published in