Pregnancy and narcotic addiction

[Ozzie]

After 7 major reconstructive knee surgeries and countless pain treatments with Demerol, I now am left with an addiction to Demerol.  I just found out I'm 6 weeks pregnant and I'm terrified.  I've been taking about 10 Demerol a day, and while one doctor says that the baby will probably be okay, another says that I need to abort it (which I doubt I'd be able to do.)  First of all, what possible effects could this Demerol use have had on the baby, and what is the approximate malformation rate?  Also, even though I'm trying like mad to stop taking the drug, I'm finding it a lot harder than I thought.  If I stop cold turkey, won't my withdrawal be too hard on the developing baby?  Is there a way to safely wean off the meds to make it a little easier on myself and on the baby?  Please help...I'm desperate and terrified, and I want to have a happy, healthy baby.

[vickie]

why is this area so hard to find information on? I've been looking all over the web for some help and info on narcotics and pregancy with no luck. my husband has been helping me ween off these meds and I was down to 10 mg per day. There were originally 2 narcotics - now one. This week I got severe-labor like abdominal pains with constant diarhea (diarrhea). when I sought er help, I was given more loretab to stop the diarhea (diarrhea). How do I know the difference between a virus and withdrawal. I am taking 30 mg and still have symptoms. Where do we find help!!!!

[joan]

(f you live in the Chicago area, a treatment center called Haymarket specializes in pregnancy and addiction. They are state funded, have docs on site and it is a long term treatment. Good luck. I willpray for your baby who has no choice in what is happening and for you to make the choice to get better.

[Zayna]

Hi, I am 35 weeks pregnant and take Lortab 10/500 for migraines. I take 1 pill a day, sometimes 1 and 1/2.  I never take more than 15mg of hydrocodone a day.  I need to know, though, if this amount will cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby?  I have been on this drug for 5 months.  Has anyone ever had a baby while on this drug and it not come out addicted?  Please help cause I am already dialated and need to know if my baby will be addicted from this amount.  Write to me at ***@****