As a pregnant woman, you need to be extra careful with every medication you take. Even the small things that you never thought twice about before, like using cortisone injections, can become a high-risk move during this time.
Before you opt for a cortisone injection to treat your inflammation or pain, it is essential to understand how it will affect your baby and you. Here are some guidelines to follow:.
What Are Cortisone Injections?
Cortisone injections are a type of steroid medication that doctors use to treat various medical conditions, including inflammation, pain, and allergies.
The corticosteroid medication injected directly into localized areas of the body helps reduce inflammation and pain for up to a few months, providing you with some relief.
How Do Cortisone Injections Affect Pregnancy?
The power of the cortisone injection lies in its anti-inflammatory effects. While this is beneficial for pain relief, it can have harmful side effects if used during pregnancy.
The injection can mimic the natural steroid hormone cortisol and suppress the immune system. When you are pregnant, your immune system is already lowered to prevent rejection of the fetus by the immune cells. Therefore, using cortisone can have some undesirable effects for both you and your baby.
When Can You Use Cortisone During Pregnancy?
There are specific situations when your doctor may recommend cortisone injections to manage your pain during pregnancy. These situations include:.
- Severe allergic reactions
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
- Asthma attacks
- Certain types of cancer
Your doctor will need to weigh the risks and benefits of using the injections at these times. The decision will be based on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the severity of your condition and how essential the cortisone is to your treatment.
What Are The Risks of Using Cortisone During Pregnancy?
While cortisone injections are generally safe and well-tolerated without many side effects, the same cannot be said during pregnancy. Here are some potential risks:.
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- Increased chance of premature delivery
- Delayed fetal growth
- Increased chance of developing gestational diabetes
- Higher chance of infections
- Cataracts in the baby
Some of these risks depend on how long you are using cortisone injections, how often you receive them, and what dose you receive.
It is essential to talk to your doctor about these risks and decide if they are worth the benefit of using cortisone injections for your individual case.
What Are The Alternatives to Cortisone Injections During Pregnancy?
Since cortisone injections have high-risk factors when used during pregnancy, you will need to explore other options. Here are some alternatives:.
- Physiotherapy- This is an excellent alternative since it helps relieve various pregnancy pains without any medication. Physiotherapy exercises and stretches can target the same muscles and joints as cortisone injections.
- Acupuncture- Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy used to relieve pain and other medical conditions. When done by a licensed practitioner, it can alleviate pains like back pain and sciatica safely.
- Pain Medications- In some cases, your doctor may recommend low dose pain medications like acetaminophen to manage your pain.
When To Seek Medical Attention While Using Cortisone Injections?
If you receive cortisone injections while pregnant and experience any or a combination of these symptoms, call your doctor right away:.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Swelling in the face, lips, and tongue
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained high fever
Remember that the issue is not with the cortisone injection itself, but the impact it can have on your pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before you opt for any medication to ensure that it is safe for you and your baby.
Your doctor can provide you with the safest options for managing your pain and keeping you and your baby healthy.
Conclusion
While cortisone injections can help manage inflammation and pain, they are not always safe when used during pregnancy.
You need to talk to your doctor about the risks involved and weigh them against the benefits, if any, of using the injections for your individual case. By doing so, you can make an informed decision that will keep you and your baby healthy.
