When used as directed, lidocaine patches are safe to use during pregnancy.

Some muscle-skeletal ailments during pregnancy just don’t seem to resolve with stretching, massage therapy, or recommended pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Since NSAIDs aren’t recommended during most of the pregnancy, you can be left with few options at times.

This is where lidocaine patches can be helpful. They can be purchased over the counter as a 4% lidocaine patch and can be adhered to the sore part of your body for up to 12 hours a day. They are even safe to use while breastfeeding.

Tip: If you have more than one sore spot that needs treatment, you can cut the patch to size and get your 12 hours of relief for both locations.