Need Input on Important Question

[babygirlj7285]

One of my close friends is 19 weeks pregnant, was using heroin and is now on the methadone clinic. They started her at 25mg, now she is at 50mg and climbing. She says that she has to keep going up b/c the baby takes most of the dose leaving her in withdrawal.. sounds ridiculous to me so i am just wondering if anyone knows this to be true or not?? thanks so much

[123456m]

It s a interesting question if she was using alll the time there is the chance of the baby being born adddictive as they share the same blood now there comes a time and I do not know when that is but suire we have some others that can give us a timeframe when the baby has devolped its own system and offs the mothers.
At almost 5 months I would think the baby is close or at that marker but I simply do not know. The simple answer is if the baby on its own blood now then the baby thing makes no sense but if not then it would seem probable. Its sad to see as it sounds like your friend just began at the methadone clinic which is a long time to be using 5 months . One little silver lining is the baby will not remember anything about being addictive.
Doesnt matter if its true or not she is in a critical, life changing situation with a baby growing inside her so she can use all the love and support that can be given to her.
Peace

[Tallullah73]

Hi there...my partner typed such a lovely message to you and I deleted it by accident trying to send it...it is true what your friend has told you.  I am 33 weeks pregnant and have been on the methadone for a little longer than I have been pregnant.  Ironically I fell pregnant as soon as I went on the methadone.  I used heroin, and then morphine and have been using methadone as a prescribed treatment to stay clean - so far so good.

I started off on 40 mg's and am now on 70 mg's and am going up another 5 mg's in a week.  Because the dose is sort of weight dependant, as I've picked up weight due to the pregnancy I've needed a slight increase, but once the baby's liver develops he needs methadone as he metabolizes it himself.

Withdrawals in the baby are not dose dependant and this is inexplicable, but true.  Once the baby is born I have to spend a week in hospital with the baby to watch him for withdrawals.  They will give him morphine if he suffers withdrawals and they wean him off this before we leave hospital.  The methadone which he receives through my breastmilk is encouraged to help him if he is withdrawing.  I don't know why his withdrawals aren't dose dependant, but it doesn't matter what my dose is.

I am really pleased with the medical support I've been given while pregnant and on the methadone.  It's been really reassuring to be so closely monitored.  Your friend is being honest with the clinic and you.  I am sure she will appreciate your support.  It's great that you are wanting to be correctly informed.

It was nice to hear of someone in my situation, and I hope I've been of some help to you and her.  All our best.