Morphine
(Date: September 2021. Version: 3)
This factsheet has been written for members of the public by the UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS). UKTIS is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on behalf of UK Health Departments. UKTIS has been providing scientific information to health care providers since 1983 on the effects that medicines, recreational drugs and chemicals may have on the developing baby during pregnancy.
What is it?
Morphine is a strong painkiller used to treat severe and/or persistent pain. Brand names include MST, Zomorph, Sevredol, Morphgesic, MXL, and Oramorph.
What are the benefits of using morphine in pregnancy?
Morphine can improve quality of life and wellbeing in pregnant women with conditions that cause severe pain.
Are there any risks of using morphine in pregnancy?
There is not much information available about pregnant women who took morphine so we cannot rule out that it may affect the developing baby. Morphine used around the time of delivery can also cause problems with the newborn baby’s breathing for a while and might cause withdrawal symptoms that require hospital treatment.
Are there any alternatives to using morphine in pregnancy?
Yes, other painkillers can be safely used in pregnancy but may not provide the same level of pain relief as morphine. Women using morphine who become pregnant or who are planning a pregnancy should consult their doctor or specialist so that their medication and dosage can be reviewed, and the risks and benefits of changing to something else can be weighed up.
What if I prefer not to take medicines to treat pain during pregnancy?
Poorly managed pain in pregnancy can result in depression, anxiety and high blood pressure. Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when absolutely necessary and will be happy to talk with you about any concerns that you might have.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
As part of routine antenatal care, most women will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s development. Women using morphine in pregnancy will not usually need any extra monitoring.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has used morphine?
There is no evidence that morphine used by the father around the time of conception can harm the baby.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.
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General information
Up to 1 out of every 5 pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, and 1 in 40 babies are born with a birth defect. These are referred to as the background population risks. They describe the chance of these events happening for any pregnancy before taking factors such as the mother’s health during pregnancy, her lifestyle, medicines she takes and the genetic make up of her and the baby’s father into account.
Medicines use in pregnancy
Most medicines used by the mother will cross the placenta and reach the baby. Sometimes this may have beneficial effects for the baby. There are, however, some medicines that can harm a baby’s normal development. How a medicine affects a baby may depend on the stage of pregnancy when the medicine is taken. If you are on regular medication you should discuss these effects with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant.
If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please ensure the doctor or health care professional treating you is aware of your pregnancy.
When deciding whether or not to use a medicine in pregnancy you need to weigh up how the medicine might improve your and/or your unborn baby’s health against any possible problems that the drug may cause. Our bumps leaflets are written to provide you with a summary of what is known about use of a specific medicine in pregnancy so that you can decide together with your health care provider what is best for you and your baby.
Every pregnancy is unique. The decision to start, stop, continue or change a prescribed medicine before or during pregnancy should be made in consultation with your health care provider. It is very helpful if you can record all your medication taken in pregnancy in your hand held maternity records.
www.medicinesinpregnancy.org