Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking tramadol

It is important to treat pain in pregnancy.

If you have severe pain, tramadol might be your best option. Your doctor can help you decide what's right for you and your baby. It’s always best to only take tramadol for a few days if possible.

Tramadol is not known to cause problems with your baby’s development, but more studies are required to confirm this.

If you take tramadol at the end of pregnancy your baby might have withdrawal symptoms when they’re born, such as feeding problems or needing help with breathing. If this happens, your baby may be monitored in hospital for a few days after birth.

If you are taking tramadol regularly then discuss this with your doctor or midwife.

If your baby is healthy, you may be able to take tramadol while breastfeeding. However, it’s best to only take tramadol for a few days if possible. If you need to take it for longer, talk to your doctor who may recommend a different painkiller.

Tramadol passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and it’s unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby. However, it might cause your baby to be sleepy.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual, or gaining weight as you’d expect
• seems unusually sleepy
• seems unusually irritable
• is constipated or being sick

It’s important to not share a bed with your baby while you’re taking tramadol.

• your baby has breathing problems

Ask for advice about whether to keep breastfeeding and taking your medicine.

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring all the medicines you or your baby takes with you.