Detox from Methadone Stopped While Pregnant

[suzzxuan]

I am 21 weeks pregnant. I was on 70 mgs. of methadone a day. I wanted to detox from the methadone and be off f it by the time the baby is born.  I spoke with my OBGYN, 2 doctors at my methadone clinic, and a nurse. They all told me that I could slowly taper and only during the second trimester. I have been detoxing for 2 months and have gone down to 29 mgs. comfortably. The methadone clinic I attend has hired a new doctor. He has stopped my detox against my wishes. He said he learned in medical school that pregnant women need to be kept on methadone. He somehow convinced my OBGYN that I should stay on and now my OB has left on vacation. My husband and I are absolutely furious. I only have 5 more weeks to detox. I spoke with another doctor at my OB's office since my primary OB is on vacation (she is the one I see when my primary is away). She agreed with me and couldn't see why I would be stopped against my will especially since there has been no complications. She said she will write me a letter to give to the methadone clinic, to tell them to complete my detox until my 3rd trimester. Is there anything legally I can do against this clinic? This new doctor has already told another pregnant lady at my clinic that she is absolutely not allowed to detox even though her OB gave her the okay. He is ruthless and inflexible. Can a clinic keep you from detoxing against your wishes? I am so close and almost home free. If I stop going to the clinic for my 29 mgs. will my baby be affecting from the withdrawl symptoms? Is it possible for my OB to prescribe something to eases the withdrawl (vicodin?) if I chose not to go back to the clinic? Thanks for your help!

[FLaddict]

DO not go through withdrawl... the withdrawl causes strain on your blood pressure that can be very dangerous to your baby..
I would do what you have to do til your OB comes back and you can get this worked out.. but do not go cold turkey off of your methodone. I have no idea if there is any legalality about what the doc did.

[hopefulmom749]

Anyone still here? I'm 16 weeks pregnant at I take 16 mgs, down from 35. My docs are okay with this, but I still have fears and it seems all people who are on methadone are saying i'm stupid for wanting to get off while pregnant. I just want my baby to be born without narcotics, and so far everything is fine... Is there a chance, since my dose is so low, that my baby will not be addicted? I feel so guilty i almost wish i had aborted. i would hate my mother if I had been born on methadone. a bad doctor gave it to me for back pain-he was put out of business later on, getting on this drug was the biggest mistake of my life. Is there any chance my baby won't have to suffer for my weakness?