It is not recommended that cisgender women in their third trimester, beyond 30 weeks of gestation, take naproxen unless a doctor prescribes it. There is some indication that taking this medication at this stage of pregnancy can cause congenital (present at birth) disabilities, possibly damaging the baby’s heart and cardiovascular system.Â
There is also research to indicate that taking this drug early in pregnancy might lead to miscarriage. Ultimately, a physician should decide if the risk of taking this drug is warranted. Often there are better treatments available for those expecting a baby.
Can Naproxen Cause a Miscarriage?
One report shows that the use of NSAIDs, including naproxen, might double the risk of miscarriage. The study looked at the records of almost 5,000 women who had a miscarriage in the first 20 weeks of their pregnancy. They compared that data to the records of nearly 50,000 women who did not miscarry. Of the group that lost their babies, many had taken NSAID medications like naproxen.
Naproxen and Lactation
There is limited information available on the effect of taking naproxen when breastfeeding. One study found a mother five months postpartum had just a small amount of the drug in her breast milk despite taking 250 mg twice daily.
Research indicates only rare adverse effects on newborns who receive naproxen via breast milk. Still, it might be precautionary to consider another pain medication during this time since there are other options available.
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