No matter how happy you are to be pregnant, there is a universal truth for every pregnant woman: pregnancy can be uncomfortable! To make matters worse, pain relief during pregnancy is often avoided because mothers aren’t sure what is safe for their baby. Because of this, many women choose not to treat pain. But that can cause other problems, like anxiety, depression, hypertension, and muscle strain throughout your body, none of which are good for your baby or you too. The key is to know which medications are safe for pain relief during pregnancy and using them as your doctor directs.

Common Pains During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a joyful time, but it can also be a painful time. Your body is changing rapidly, which means some discomforts might be surprising. For instance, your balance changes, and that can affect your muscles. Your weight increases, and that can make walking or moving around a bit more difficult. Your joints might swell, especially your ankles, and you can tire much easier. All of these things put stress on your body, leading to lower back pain, shin pain, cramps all over the place, and abdominal pain that doesn’t seem to make any sense. These are some of the most common problems associated with pregnancy, but there are still other symptoms, such as aching feet, pain in your shoulders, or even hemorrhoids.

Even though these things are natural and to be expected, they can still take a toll on you, both physically and emotionally. One of the biggest emotional problems associated with this is anxiety and depression. These issues can be an even bigger problem than the physical pains, and can affect your pregnancy in a negative way. It’s better to use safe pain relief during pregnancy than to suffer through it.

Which Painkillers Are Safe During Pregnancy?

There are many painkillers that should be avoided during pregnancy, but there are still some ones which are very safe to try. The lists below detail which ones are known to be safe. However, be sure to check with your doctor before you take any pain relief during pregnancy, just in case.

OTC Painkillers

These over-the-counter medications are common in most homes and might be the first thing you reach for when you need pain relief.

• Acetaminophen. Often known as Tylenol, this has been studied for many decades and found to be safe during pregnancy. Make sure to always follow label directions, never take too much, and speak to your doctor if you suffer pain that isn’t relieved with the acetaminophen.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These NSAIDS include common names such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve and Aspirin. Pregnant mothers should always avoid aspirin, as it can lead to problems for your baby. The other three – Motrin, Advil, Aleve or the generic versions – are typically safe during pregnancy in limited doses. However, they should only be used under your physician’s guidance, and never be used during the third trimester.

Prescription Painkillers

There are a wide variety of pain relief options that are available only with a doctor’s prescription. Most of these are considered narcotics, and might include familiar names such as Percocet, Demerol, OxyContin, Vicodin, codeine, Roxanol, or Duragesic. These are very strong and are meant for pain relief from conditions that require serious medications, such as surgery, injuries or extensive dental work. Unfortunately, there is no safe level of narcotic use during pregnancy, so it is advised to avoid these – and that also means avoiding serious dental work or surgeries during your pregnancy.

How to Relieve Common Pain & Discomfort During Pregnancy

So what do you do when you suffer common aches and pains, but you don’t want to turn to pain relief during pregnancy? Some natural tips can help you feel better.

Type	Description	What to do
Lower back pain	Lower back pain often results from the pressure of the baby on your abdomen and back. Some women find that the back pain increases as their belly gets bigger.	Use a hot water bottle or soak in a warm bath to relieve the tension in your muscles. Try not to gain more than the recommended amount of weight, and keep watch on your shoes: you want something very comfortable with support, so put away the high heels and flip-flops for now. You can experiment to find the most comfortable positions when sleeping or sitting. Let others do heavy lifting,
Swelling	A very common condition during pregnancy, your ankles, wrists, legs, hands, and even your face can swell. This will lead to discomfort throughout your pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. It is most common during the afternoon and evening.	Always keep your legs elevated if you can, to prevent fluid buildup in your ankles. Stay in the air conditioning if you are pregnant during the summer, and always wear supportive shoes. Support socks or pantyhose might also help the problem. Avoid salty food and drink plenty of water: the more water you drink, the more your body will flush out. Finally, sitting with your feet in cool water can bring relief.
Carpal tunnel syndrome	This is pain, tingling, or burning in your hands, wrists, and arms as the same feeling you have when your hand “falls asleep” after lying in the wrong position for too long.	A wrist brace can relieve pain, so does the proper exercise. Frequent stretching breaks and using the computer properly can also help.
Sciatica	This pain often starts in your lower back and travels down your hip or thigh. It might be a shooting pain, or it might be numbness.	Exercises that can strengthen the pelvic floor might help, and seeing a physical therapist to get ideas on proper movement can also make a difference. Massages are great for women who suffer from this. Wearing a support belt under your belly can alleviate the pain.
Leg cramps	Everyone has felt leg cramps from time to time. But during pregnancy, those cramps can be significant, and they can sometimes seem to be constant.	Prevention is the best way to deal with this. Stretch regularly, stay as active as possible, and wear supportive footwear. Stay hydrated, and ask your doctor about using a magnesium supplement which causes no problems for your baby.
Constipation	Constipation is often caused by the pressure of the baby on your bowel, and it might even lead to hemorrhoids. The increased pressure of the uterus on the veins of your body makes it worse.	Changing your diet is the best response. Increase fruit and fiber, and ask your doctor for a gentle stool softener or laxative to counteract the problem. For hemorrhoids, use sitz baths, soothing suppositories and lubricating creams.