Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking morphine

Morphine and pregnancy

Morphine can be safely given in hospital by a doctor or midwife for severe pain if you need it while you're pregnant. However, long-term use of morphine is not generally recommended in pregnancy.

If you are taking morphine long term discuss this with your doctor or midwife, as coming off morphine or finding a different medicine may be possible.

Morphine may affect your baby's development in the first trimester, so it's best to avoid taking it in early pregnancy if possible.

If you take morphine at the end of pregnancy there's a risk that your baby will get withdrawal symptoms when they're born. Morphine is often given for pain relief in labour and generally does not cause a problem for the baby, however your baby will be monitored closely once they're born to look for drowsiness or any breathing problems.

It's important to treat pain in pregnancy. For some people with severe pain, morphine might be the best option. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide what's right for you and your baby.

Morphine and breastfeeding

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take morphine while breastfeeding. However, it is best to only take morphine for a few days and at low doses. If you need to take it for longer, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may also recommend a different painkiller for you to use while breastfeeding.

Morphine passes into breast milk in fairly small amounts, although the amount does vary. When taken at low doses and for a short time, it is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby.

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, has constipation, seems unusually pale, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife as soon as possible.

Morphine and fertility

There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking morphine will reduce fertility in men.

However, it might affect your periods (menstrual cycle) if you're a woman.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment.

For more information about how morphine can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, visit the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.