About to give birth, taking street methadone...will my baby get taken away??

[Patty86]

I used to be perscribed to Oxycontin and Roxycodone. When I was pregnant I heard methadone was safer and started to use that. My intentions were to slowly detox using the methadone. I had absolutely NO idea that methadone was harder to get off of! I've been trying and trying to get off this by weaning and I just can't take the withdrawals along w/ being 8 months preggo. It's too painful. I am down to 20mgs a day but, I'm scared once I deliver they will drug test and take not only the baby but, my 3 year old as well. Any one have any experience??????? I really really need to know. Please please reply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[confused456]

Wow, that is a hard one and I am not sure. Sorry but I will pray for you.

[Firefaery1023]

I was addicted to Vicodin while I was pregnant and couldn't get off of them.  I tried but it was a lot of stress. I cut back but they never drug tested me in the hospital, it wouldn't even be worth it, I have a C-section and they were pumping me with demerol.  I hope this helps you.  You still want to try to get off the methadone though.

[Amanda6900]

Stupid question but.... Why would they drug test you? When I had my baby they didnt drug test me.. Do some hospitals drug test mothers??

[Firefaery1023]

I don't think they drug test you, the baby may be born addicted and show symptoms of distress though.  That is why I would still try to keep lowering yourself, at least if you are still using when your baby is born, then the withdrawals for your baby won't be so bad.

[toxictome]

PM 1234betterlife...she is an OB nurse and can answer your questions.....
.i don't know the answer..
.good luck

[cathy5841]

if you are 8 months pregnant you dont really ahve time to taper off.  i really think you should be honest with your dr. about your usage, so they can be prepared to handle any emergency that might arise with the baby.  the chance of your little one being born addicted are very high.  if you tell your dr up front he will be prepared to detox the baby if need be.  and if the baby is born addicted and you have been honest with the dr  you stand a better chance against ocs, they will be called.  just thought i would give you my opinoin.  good luck to you and your little angel
cathy

[Marce4]

I am an L&D nurse.....you MUST be honest with your Dr about your drug usage.  It is not fair to your baby for everyone not to be prepared at the time of delivery. This is not a judgement on you but you need to give your baby the best chance to get through w/d.  If he or she suffers w/d at the time of delivery and if they have any reason to suspect you are using, the baby will be drug tested witht he first urine.  Please give yourself and your child a chance.....be honest with your OB....it will only be harder on you both if you are not.  I have seen many women who are a methadone program and having children.  Maybe you should think about getting your methadone legally and going through some sort of program.....not a drug to mess with...esp if you are pregnant. I truly don't mean to be harsh but realistic.
Good Luck.....being honest with them should help lift some of the burden you have on your shoulders right  now.
Marcie

[FLaddict]

You need to come clean with the doctor. They may not test you, but if the baby is having withdrawal symptoms after its born they will test then. Better to lay it all out now than risk a problem with the baby. They need to know so they can treat the withdrawal symptoms. It is too dangerous for you to just stop taking it. And its really too late to taper. Either way you NEED to talk to your OB ASAP.

[hawaiiii]

Hi Patty,
Here's the deal:
You need to go to the nearest methadone clinic and join.  Tell you doctor about it, the clinic will take you because pregnant women are a priority but they'll want to be working with your obgyn.  Listen, seriously.  YOU DO NOT WANT TO LOWER or taper right now.  The baby will definitely be born addicted with methadone, even if you were down to 5 mg.  The thing is, his/her withdrawal wont show up for 2 or 3 days, and then its too dangerous for the baby not to be monitered.  You have no choice but to do this, because if you don't, the baby will have serious problems after you get home, then you run the risk of child protective services being called.  I think as long as you join a program now, and protect the baby your doctor will just work with you, not make calls.  PM me and I can talk to you more about this.  Just went through similar.
H

[Amanda6900]

That would make sense to drug test the baby. I would just be up front and tell your doctor.

[virgo1969]

Does your doctor/obgyn know about your addiction? If so, they will test the baby. If the baby is born with signs of distress, more than likely he/she will be tested as well.

[slk714]

hi patty, i am also pregnant, only 10 wks, and tapering off vicodin. i agree with above, you are much better off being honest with your Dr. if he/she knows you are willing to get help, from what i have heard, they will work with you (most of them). i was told it is up to your Dr. if CPS gets a call or not. but if you are honest, and they do call at least your Dr can back up the fact you are being treated, and that the baby will be detoxed safe and sound. besides, you don;t need the extra stress right now of worrying about having your babies taken. i know how scary it is to come clean, but i really think you will feel alot better.  i know tapering to quick can be very dangerous, so i would take the advice given and maybe go to clinic so you can be monitored. i also know if you have to go to the hospital after you are more than 6 months along, depending on the state, they will do a drug test. hope this helps, believe me, i understand the fear and guilt associated with your (our) problem. pm me anytime if you need to talk :)

[nuredshuz]

Please listen to these women who know about this.  If you dont you are going to risk loosing your baby and perhaps your other child.  I hope you know that none of these comments or mine is in any way judging you in a mean or harsh way.  We only care about you and your children and your relationship with them.  Please be honest with your doctors.  Because as these knowledgeable women have said; if your baby is born addicted without prior knowledge to your dr's, it really could go against you.  But if you are up front and honest and seek help, you wont be put under suspision or draw any negative attention to yourself.  I really hope the best for you and I am going to pray for you!  God bless you thru this time.  I hope you can get the courage to be honest so you can enjoy the wonderful blessing and gift of a new born baby!!  Bless you!

[aarroyo]

i am 35 weeks preg rgt now.how many weeks are you?i tapered off vicodine at 8 mths.very hard because of your body being in pain still.its still hard you still have time too taper i think.i also have other children.i have scheduled csect at 39 weeks.i spoke with 1234 betterlife about it as well shes great you def should pm her.shes on pg24 of members.i now only take a peice of a pill when i really need it for migraines,but i try tylenol first.if you pm me ill tell you about herbal stuff i used while tapering that seemed to make it alittle easier.good luck

[cathy5841]

BE CAREFUL TAPERING TOO FAST WITH METHODONE IT IS DIFFERENT THAN VICODIN

[Flutterby111]

Talk to your doctor...for the sake of your baby.  Talk to Space Cadette too....she's not on here a ton, but I think she can help!

[bobby139]

Please listen to everyone. Don't do anything until you talk to your doctor..when I adopted my baby girl she was going though w/d, the only reason she was taken away from her birth mother was because the b.m. didnt want her and wasn't honest, she wanted to kill her baby. If you tell the truth they will not take your baby away, they will help you and your baby, the worst thing they will do to you is make you take classes, and maybe do a few home studies when you get home to make sure everything is ok.
Please tell your doctor right away, you don't want your baby to go though anything he/she dosn't have to.
Best of Luck to you and your baby!

[CATUF]

i STRONGLY suggest that you contact 1234betterlife.  she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area.  just as important, she is very caring and more than willing to help.

CATUF
1010

[Mikeinthesouth]

Wow I feel for you and your'e situation. I don't have any advice for this, but I just wanted to drop a line and say you two are in my prayers. I know wt as everyone here does and I myself cannot imagine a baby going through that hell on earth. They are so daggone innocent and have done nothing wrong at all, they don't even know what the wd pains are from. This actually breaks my heart to imagine it.
I would most definitely be 100 percent honest your'e Doctor about his I would think that the laws they are enforcing so much lately regarding Doctor/Patient confidentiality would come into play here so way. All the best to you and the children, Mike

[what2donow]

My sister got all 4 of her kids taken away by doing the same ****.......I am very passionate about this topic because I has her kids...I wish I knew what to tell you.

[Sael]

Be honest with your doctors and nurses. I know that's hard in the States sometimes because the US isn't really as sophisticated with its harm reduction strategies and this lack of knowledge leads to very judgmental policies and procedures, especially when it involves children.

I hope that everything works out for you. I really do. You should be able to keep your baby if proper harm reduction strategies are incorporated.

[pregolb]

i am 17 wks preg and on 30 mg of methadone want to taper any safer time to do so? how long does it stay in your system?

[Greatgreebo]

The original post is from March 2008-these people may not be around. You did the right thing by starting your own post

[princess2000]

I m a former CPS worker, just resigned after 12 years of it.  I know how things work in Texas, and I am sure that if suspect any drug useage, they test the babies first stool.  It shows everything the mother has taken and passed on to the newborn.  I am sorry to inform you, but yes, CPS does get involved.  The social workers are informed if there is any suspicion, and then CPS is called.  Good Luck, and to everyone else that is pregnant out there, I hope this is a wake up call for you.  In Texas, we would remove the baby and any other children the mother has.  Its no Fun to be in that situation and it takes up to a yearto get them back, if you even ever do.  You are given a service plan and must complete it and must take random hair and urine tests at the spur of the moment!!!  Please feel free to PM me for help or answer questions.

Princess 2000