Painkiller drug in pregnancy. Hand of a pregnant woman clutches a box of paracetamol while her other hand holds her abdomen. Paracetamol is an analgesic (painkiller) which is available over the counter. If taken in the correct dosage it can provide relief from the problems of backache or muscular pain in pregnancy. However, any drug taken in pregnancy can pass from the mother through the placenta to the baby. Although paracetamol is not proven to cause harm to the developing baby, it is recommended that a pregnant woman should not take any drug without first consulting her doctor.