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Tramadol in Pregnancy - Complications and Precautions to Follow
Most medicines that mothers take during pregnancy will cross the placenta and reach their babies. This can sometimes be beneficial to the child, but not always; there are some medications that can be quite harmful to your baby’s growth and development. It really depends on the type of medication prescribed and at what stage of pregnancy a woman is at. All the changes in the body that take place during pregnancy are bound to cause a lot of stress, and everyone already knows that hormonal changes often bring with them unwanted aches and pains. This is why some women would rather be on some kind of medication for the pain rather than not have anything at all. Tramadol is used to treat pain in some situations.
What is Tramadol (Ultram)
Moderate to severe pain during pregnancy can be treated by Tramadol, a medication that works by affecting the balance of mood chemicals in the brain. This is often prescribed to patients who are suffering from an injury or when recovering from surgery. Sometimes it is used as a recreational drug, but in doses much higher than that required when it is only used as a painkiller.
Why Do Pregnant Women Require Pain Medication
During pregnancy, the body undergoes physiological and hormonal irregularities that result in different symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are trivial and do not require any kind of pain medication, but there are also times when the pain is quite severe, and it requires some kind of action. Here are some reasons why pregnant women may need to take something for the pain:
The diameter of blood vessels changes due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy and results in headaches and migraines. The intensity of these can vary, but they have been known to be severe enough to warrant some kind of medication for relief.
Pressure on the spine caused by your expanding foetus can result in backaches that can sometimes become unbearable. Those who are carrying multiples will find this especially relevant in their case.
The stability and strength of the ligaments changes as the body tries to prepare the pelvis for delivery. This results in a lot of pelvic pain that may sometimes require medication.
Your lower limbs have had to deal with a lot of extra weight, and this causes pain from all the nerves and ligaments that have been bearing the strain of your baby’s additional weight.
Is Tramadol Safe in Pregnancy
Though there are some medications out there with more serious side effects of dependency due to their higher opioid content, Tramadol is also known to cause addiction and neonatal dependency on the drug. A change in the diameter of the umbilical vessels is caused due to the painkillers, and this will have an effect on the flow of blood to your baby. This is why it is best to stay away from painkillers in general during your pregnancy unless you have no choice but to take them.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in particular are known to cause this problem. If the blood flow is restricted, your baby will not get enough nutrition, which will either result in restrictions in growth and in extreme and unfortunate cases, the death of the child.
So, can you take tramadol while pregnant? Only if prescribed by your doctor when there is no other choice. It is best to stay away from it as it is not considered safe due to lack of proper study. In tests done on animals, it showed that Tramadol has the possibility of causing moderate to severe damage in the foetus. Respiratory depression and collapse in the foetus is a very serious threat, and so the use of Tramadol is strictly forbidden during delivery.
What If a Pregnant Woman has Already Taken Ultram In Pregnancy
If you have taken Tramadol, let your doctor know about it and so that you can get the proper advice on how to go about it from there. If at all your doctor feels you need it, the smallest possible dose will be prescribed to you. But most doctors will prescribe something that is less harmful. If you take them frequently and you want to stop, it is not advised that you stop taking it cold turkey. Instead, bring this to your doctor’s attention so that you can get professional help in weaning yourself off the drug without incurring the sudden withdrawal symptoms that can take place from such a sudden action. If the drug is stopped cold turkey, you are likely to experience irritation, anxiety or panic, diarrhoea, chills, hallucinations and so much more.
Complications & Side Effects of Taking Tramadol during Pregnancy
Here are some of the complications or side effects associated with taking Tramadol during pregnancy:
1. Easily Abused
The central nervous system responds to pain differently because Tramadol changes this aspect, making it very easy to abuse the drug.
2. Maternal and Foetal Addiction
Due to the potent and opioid components in this drug, it is addictive in nature, something that is very dangerous for babies. If this drug is used consistently, there is a high chance that babies will become dependent on it. Even after the drug is discontinued, babies will still experience withdrawal symptoms one month after birth. Babies can also experience birth defects or premature births. A few other symptoms include irritability, jitteriness, seizures and abnormal muscular activity.
3. Dangerous Combos
If this drug is mixed with other medication it may cause uncontrollable shaking and seizures can result.
4. Simply Problematic
Even when taken in the correct dose, Tramadol has been known to cause side effects such as abdominal pain, itchiness and rashes, joint pains, depression, severe headaches, nausea and more.
5. Learning and Behavioural Problems
Your baby’s brain is developing even until the end of your pregnancy. Taking medications during your pregnancy can have lasting effects on your child’s learning and behaviour.
6. Tramadol and Breastfeeding
Like some other medications, Tramadol can be transferred into the breast milk. If babies consume too much of it through breast milk, they are likely to show signs of increased sleepiness, sedation, difficulty breastfeeding, difficulty breathing and limpness, and will need to see an expert.
Precautions to Follow While Taking Tramadol
If you do need to take this drug for some reason, keep the following precautions in mind:
It is not meant to be used along with MAO inhibitors.
Avoid alcohol during treatment.
When it comes to patients who suffer from drug dependence, central genesis, liver dysfunctions and increased sensitivity to opioid components, treatments with this drug should be avoided.
Avoid it for treatment of narcotic withdrawal syndrome.
It should not be used for more than the specific amount of time needed as prolonged use can cause dependency on the drug.
It should not be used for children under 14.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Will baby require extra monitoring during pregnancy or after delivery?
At around twenty weeks, most women are offered scans as a part of their antenatal care. Here they will check for birth defects in the baby. Though using Tramadol is not actually expected to cause any problems that would require the need for extra monitoring, those who need to take the drug for a particular medical condition are watched more closely so that you can be sure that your baby is growing and developing the correct way. Women who tend to use the drug for recreational purposes are watched even more closely. Those women who have had to take Tramadol during their late pregnancy will have babies who will need to be kept for observation after birth for any kind of signs of withdrawal.
2. Does it affect the baby's health if the father has taken Tramadol?
So far we have seen how tramadol and pregnancy go together from the maternal side. Though there has been no study dedicated to investigating what the effects of Tramadol in the father have on the unborn child, most experts say that it is not likely that the drug can cause any harm to the baby through the sperm. More study in this area is needed, especially on the effects the drug has if the father takes it at the time of conception.
Always keep a record of any medications you take so that you can inform your doctor about them if and when needed. If you have any need to see a doctor for your own health, make sure that the doctor knows that you are pregnant so that this can be taken into consideration when medication is being prescribed for you.
Being prescribed medication like Tramadol, something that has been known to cause some unpleasant side effects, you will have to examine the benefits and disadvantages before deciding on whether it is worth taking the risk. How medications affect your baby is important, and you need to be very careful about what medication you decide to put into your body.
Also Read: List of Unsafe Medicines Pregnant Women Should Avoid Read more
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Want More From Marriage? Let Your Husband Know!
As you delve deeper into the fitness challenge, you may face a battle of a different kind. Possibly trickier to deal with than body pain or lack of time, this is the battle of hormones! More and more training and exercise experts these days are talking about the trade-off between growth hormone (GH) and cortisol - both exercise related hormones that work against each other!
Husbands are not mind readers, ladies! You need to tell them if you expect more from them. A roundup of how to tell him what you want in a relationship could be just what you need!
First and foremost, you need to decide what more you want from your marriage. What are those things that matter the most to you and should not be compromised upon to keep your relationship healthy? Once you identify them, you can approach your husband and let him know.
Let your Husband Know What you Want in a Relationship
1. Start the conversation with a sincere compliment
Take note, ladies. You need to do this first step right to get your hubby’s attention for what’s coming ahead. Approach him at a time when he’s in a relaxed mood. Before you open up about how you want him to put more effort into the relationship, tell him how much you appreciate him and everything he’s done.
2. Ask him how you can be more supportive toward him
Prepare a mental list of warm-up questions like what his dreams are and how you can help him achieve them. You can also ask him what his worries are and how he can rely upon you to help him overcome them. Doing this can act as a motivator for him to look within and reflect what more he could be doing for you both.
3. Now’s the time to open up about your feelings
You needn’t worry if he doesn’t react in the way you expect. If you’ve followed steps one and two, you should go ahead with 'the talk'. No more beating around the bush. You get to be frank and straightforward now. Tell him earnestly what you expect from him and the efforts you too can make toward your relationship.
4. Keep a check on your tone
Don’t be defensive. Steer clear of nagging and finger-pointing about what’s been done. Criticism will not get you anywhere! If it seems like he isn’t too eager to make more of an effort, have patience. It could be that he’s taken aback by this change of pace and needs a moment to think.
5. Mirror your words in your actions
Once everything is said, it’s time for action. Take the ‘ladies first’ approach here. Do what you expect him to do for you and lead by example. Your actions will speak louder than your words. Once he sees how hard you’re trying to solidify the relationship, he’ll be encouraged to do the same.
6. Keep the talk going
Don’t just have 'the talk' when the water rises above your nose. Take and give feedback on a regular basis to nurture a healthy companionship. Discuss your individual and collective dreams even when it seems like life’s going well. The tide can change anytime, and you want to be prepared.
The question of how to tell your husband what you want in a relationship doesn’t have to be fraught with worry. Take the bull by the horns, prepare him and speak your heart to your sweetheart. Communication is the key to strengthening any relationship. Read more
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Skype Away the Distance with 5 Useful Tips
Do you find it hard to video chat with your kids? Maybe you need to make the experience more interesting so your little ones pay attention. Video chatting sessions can easily turn into fun times your children will love!
Do you often have to stay away from home and your little one for work and other commitments? You certainly miss your baby and would like nothing better than to stay in touch. Thanks to progress in technology, this isn't difficult anymore. Bonding through video chat with toddlers on Skype is one option that can make the distance dissolve in no time!
Tips for Video Chatting with Children
1. Timing it Right
Toddlers have a short attention span so it's important that you time video chats in such a way that your children are in a good mood and attentive. The best time to chat is in the morning after breakfast as this is when they're most alert. Avoid chatting when they're hungry and tired as they'll only be fussy and irritable.
2. Make Eye Contact
One of the most important tips for a video chat with kids is to make eye contact with them. In order to have toddlers listen to you and respond, it is important that they can see your face and look into your eyes. Try to make them feel like you're talking directly to them instead of through a screen otherwise they'll get bored and inattentive. If your hubby is home, ask him to pitch in and keep your darling entertained!
3. Going for Favourites
Getting your pre-schoolers to show interest throughout a video chat takes some work. You can sing them their favourite song or tell them their favourite story. You could even enact it with some puppets. They'd love that and will be all ears for what you have to say. Try being funny as kids enjoy comic scenes and expressions.
4. Try a Change of Scene
Try chatting with your kids on a phone or a tablet. This makes it easy for you to move around and also gives them the freedom to show you different scenes and views. This is especially so if you have older children who are eager to tell you about school, friends and what's been going on in their lives. However, a change of location should also work well with your toddler.
5. Expect Less
Unlike adults who can chat endlessly for hours, children lose interest quickly. Toddlers and pre-schoolers in particular get bored easily. Don't expect your little ones to chat with you for more than five minutes at a time. Anything longer and they'll be craving something else. It's a good idea to end the call before they start zoning out.
Try these video chatting tips for parents when you Skype with your angels next. Schedule a chat every other day depending on how busy you are. Make sure the internet connection is stable and that your laptop, cell phone or tablet is fully charged. Get closer to your kids even when away! Read more
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Yummy Pasta for picky eaters - My food hater child loved it!!!!
My baby is like she hates food. Many times I took her to pediatrician complainig the same. They never gave any medication and asked to try different food and suggested pasta. So I went for pasta...wheat semolina pasta. And here is my recipie which made by food hater love 'patha' (in her words).
Ingredients
1. Raw pasta(around 20-25 nos)
2. 1 teaspoon all purpose flour (since for baby, only minimal)
3. 1 tablespoon ghee
4. 1.5 cup milk
5. Salt to taste
Utensils
1. Pressure cooker (optional)
2. Kadai
3. Spoon/spatula
Cooking
1. Cooking passta - put 2 cups of water in pressure cooker and put pasta, add a pinch of salt and mix well. Close cooker with lid, put on medium flame till 1 whistle blows. Wait for 10 mins and open cooker when steam trapped inside is gone. (You can also cook pasta by boiling water in pan. Since for baby I want to over cook pasta, that's why I put in cooker to save cooking gas while boiling for long time.)
2. Draining and rinsing : Take out the cooked pasta, drain extra water and rinse with cold running water. Drain and keep aside.
3. Cooking : In low flame, put kadai on and add ghee. When ghee is hot, add all purpose flour and saute till fine paste. Add milk little by little sauting so that no lumbs are formed. Wait till milk boils, put passta add salt, (a pinch of pepper/oregano if u want) and saut in medium flame till it become creamy in texture. Yummy Pasta is ready.
Tip: While cooking involve your kid too, so she will be more excited to eat ...
What I usually do:
- I involve my baby while taking pasta out from cooker. Saying look what mummy is preparing for you...yummy paasssstaaaaa...and she repeats in excitement and will be more enthusiastic to eat!! Read more
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
10 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
10 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
10 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
7 hours ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
Best activity toys for 15 month old baby
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. Toys which have light and also sounds so that is going to be a good option for you to use apart from the different kids have different interest some kids like to play with cars some like to play with something else so just have to try to figure out what your child likes to eat just check what your child is more inclined towards
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. how to gain weight 32weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. You need to have a lot of good proteins and that is what is going to be helpful have a balanced diet and good have good amount of proteins as well which is what is going to be beneficial and good weight gain for your child as well
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