Pregnant and a heroin addict...help.

[imsoblonde]

I am 5 months pregnant. I also have a massive heroin addiction. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what i hav done to my daughter in the long and short run. And if i take suboxen  and get off this **** if they could still take her away from me. i found out i was pregnant back in november and i was clean...i relapsed during my first trimester and got clean again (went thru the dope sick and everything) now i have been using again for about 8 weeks and i am so terrified to tell my doctor and risk the consequences. please kno that i love my daughter very much and i never wanted to hurt  her so please dont think im a bad person. please. just someone let me kno what i have done to her...anyone. thank you.

[marielee82]

Im also 22 weeks pregnant and lowering my H dose. It really ***** to live in secret and suffer silently. While other moms to be are excited about a new baby, us addicts are just excited to get r next fix. Its sick, and the guilt eats you alive. Yet, im determined to kick this! Im tired of crying myself to sleep and hiding my shame from friends and family. Im also tapering an oxycodone prescription. This is being supervised by my ob, as i have chronic kidney issues which include mass amounts of pain and blood in the urine. Is it possible i can still reach out to you? I know this thread is a little old, but i could use a friend who understands, as well as a nurse to receive advice from.

[macsnmylesmom]

Did everything work out ok for u. Same happened to me. Healthy baby boy for me.  When I first found out I qas preg I k e pt wishing it was a bad dream. In the end I love him so much and in a way believe he saved my life. Without him I prob would have overdosed and never been able to change from the monster I was.

[Dryan8313]

Hi ladies- this is a really old thread so anyone who is in need of help, advice, etc, please post a new question at the top and I'm sure you will get some great feedback!
I was on methadone my entire pregnancy and my son was born with zero issues or w/d's. Every case is different though!!! The doctors cannot predict whether or not the baby will be born having to detox or not? I was just very lucky! Also, no one ever mentioned CPS or any other kind of trouble since I was on a methadone program, being prescribed methadone and monitored by a doctor. However, having any kind of street drug, or unprescribed drug In Your system can and most likely WILL get CPS involved and can bring on issues you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy! Not to mention how incredibly unsafe it is for your unborn child. You have NO idea whats in the stuff that youre buying off the streets. And it could be fatal to your fetus.
Detoxing while pregnant can be equally as dangerous and can cause you to lose the baby (spur attic abortion is what my doc called it).
You have to get help! Go to a methadone clinic first if you don't want to tell your doc your doing dope. Once on methadone or suboxen or whatever you decide, then tell your doctor, btw, I'm taking xyz. They HAVE to know to properly monitor and care for you and the baby!  
Good luck!!

[lostandfound777]

Somehow, heroin is the least harmful to an unborn child....go figure.  You cannot go on subuxone,; u have to go on subutex.is there  any way u can say u were on subuxone not heroin and need to switch now?? Idk about them taking our child if our on h but they won't if u r on subutex.  This is really

[lacy266]

u need a suboxone doctor you said you had one than tell them your pregnant and don't they do drug test you would think they could tell and u can only hide it for so long before they will find out and don't be scared your doctor cant cut you off while pragnt especially because it will send your unborn baby into withdrawls you will feel so much better telling him because I know for a fact they cannot cut you off if anything they have to give you it and possably up your dose my doctor kept me on it and said if the baby does come out withdrawing you have to breastfed and its still ten times better than heroin and I don't understand heroin addiction but I do understand narcotic addiction its a horrible thing feeling like you cant stop and you always need  more and no matter how much you love your baby u still cant fully stop so you need to at least be honest with your sub doctor and they wont cut u off

[lacy266]

hi u said u had two healthy babies on sub im really worried because im on it and have been everyday since ive become ppragnt both my doctors agree its the best thing than to go off but im really worried my baby will be in nicu and how much were u taking a day ?? im on 8 half I kina lowerd myself down but I still take it two times a day but its still less than what the doctors think I take even thoughtill take it twice a day is that worse than just taking a big dose at once ? and I just don't understand how taking this stuff dosnt cause withdrawls in them but I hope it dosnt and hearing you had no issues with that does help me feel alittle better but I wanted to know if u were on it everyday for  the whole pragnancie im sure that matters if someome was on it for two months at 2mg a day that's probly not enough to hurt the baby but if ur on it the whole time taking it twice a day and my doctor said the suboxone isn't any less safer than subutex id rather be on the subutex becaue it dosnt have the naloxone in it and another thing is if I need pain meds during labor will I get any releife since the naloxone is a pain blocker?? please I need answers thanks

[ImDONENoMore]

Hi angel, and welcome to the forum.  Just wanted to mention that you may want to start a new thread by posting a new question (you'll find the link for that at the top of this page).  The older threads tend to get overlooked in this place.

Good luck to you, and again, welcome.  I'm glad you found your way here.  :)

[Angelfish1948]

Hi,

I saw your touching letter to the lady that was pregnant and on herion.
I unfortunately am in the same predicament : (
I am recently pregnant less than 3 weeks.
I want to get off of herion, can you please help me?

Thank you

[skylar817]

I am 24 years old and am 7 months pregnant with a herion addiction. I am really, more than anything, wanting to get off of this for obvious reasons. Number one being because I'm scared to death of what is happening and WILL happen to my daughter if I DONT stop now! I love my baby girl SO MUCH and I can't stand the thought of her being sick or being taken away from me. Please, can someone, anyone, respond to me and give me any POSITIVE advice and feedback? I already know the negatives and I how awful my situation is. If I could could go back in time and change things I would...but I can't. So PLEASE....help me help my daughter. Shes all i have in this entire world and i will do ANYTHING for her....thank u...

[pepe77]

Good  comment....x

[Ms_Amber_Eve]

Good luck with everything. I have tried every drug there is since 14 and I have also managed to kick many habits and go through 2 pregnancies mostly drug-free. When I found I was pregnant with my daughter I was taking a lot of prescription pills and a lot of speed and pot. I gave up cigarettes pretty quickly cos they tasted bad. I had thought the hardest drug to kick was pot, especially because it helped so much with my early morning sickness and nausea. I weened myself off over the first 2-3 months and never looked back. The next time I was pregnant I had been using ice and pot and a lot of alcohol. I immediately stopped the booze and ice but had to wean off the pot again over 2-3 months. My sister smoked a lot of weed through her pregnancy and now she has a son with severe ADHD and mental issues. He was born with breathing difficulties and had to be in special care in a humidicrib. During her pregnancy I judged her and I felt bad for it but I am happy I did the right thing for my babies who ended up being beautiful healthy twin boys. 2 years ago I got addicted to painkillers, codeine, valium etc. I hadn't done heroin since I was 19 and I'm now 31. It took almost a year to address my addiction and now I've been on suboxone for a year. It has been the hardest drug to be on and to want to get off and there are days that I wish I could just go into a coma and just wake up when it`s all over. BUT- it is safer for your body and your baby to be on a monitored dose prescribed by a doctor and you can access counselling and support for both your addiction and your pregnancy. God forbid you get some H from a new dealer and end up both overdosed- you never know what you`re getting in street drugs. I know how hard drug addiction and pregnancy is and you can`t do this on your own. Suboxone prescribing doctors go itno that business because they care and are understanding of what people are going through. I think you`ll feel so much better if you talk to someone, try lifeline or 13health first if you`re scared because its anonymous. They will be able to give you real answers and not just a smack in the face. I wish you all the best. To all the haters-Karma will get you!

[katietwins2]

Well like some of the stories of girls on here I am a sad sore storie.
I am 21 51/2 m pregnant and majorly addicted to heroin and meth.
I found out I was pregnant about 21/2 months ago and a month ago found out I was 14 weeks and 5 days so basicly my whole pregnancy so far I. Have been on heroin and meth heavily now I'm trying so hard to totaly quit meth but its so hard when around me everyday and the h I'm terrified of withdrawls idk what to do I want what's best for my baby that wasn't expected but can't seem to not numb my feelings or hide the truth.

[going2bemommy]

ok so i sat and read ALL the post AFTER i posted wow this really has taking lots of turns here everyone here seems to be worried about the baby and supportive too it is a scary thing to think this baby could have to go through w/d i really suggest u find a ob u can talk to this is really something u should NOT be handling on ur own i on the other hand want to offer a different idea than what has been mentioned i know u said u r not really "religious" i am not either BUT I BELIVE IN JESUS which is DIFFERENT than religion i really suggest u get on ur knees and pray pour ur heart out to God HE loves u more than u will ever know and it is NOT beyond him to completely heal people of addiction this i PROMISE u HE already knows how u feel and what is going on He is just waiting for u to come to Him just talk to Him about this whole thing accept Jesus as ur Lord and savior admit u cant do it anymore and ask for forgiveness of ur sins get a Bible and start reading there is LIFE in the Bible and watch what happens sometimes we put out trust in the WRONG people eventually we have to try it Gods way after a while just try it u cant go wrong u r in my prayers

[Ballgame]

This is one subject that really bothers me

[going2bemommy]

liscamdave i agree and actually thank u that u said that about pregnant women i came on here a few weeks ago and i am preegnant however i changed my name because of allt he critism i got i was totally not expecting it cecasue i read lots of post before i joined and while it was NOT enough for me to go back into using i am still clean off the oxy's 3 weeks my dr put me on methadone which i was NOT willing to be on so i only took a few to help w the w/d from the oxy as to not hurt my baby while going ct but i thank u for being caring to the fact she is pregnant i felt HORRIABLE at the different attacks and COMMANDS i got as to what i HAD to do for my baby and to not think of myself for once and on and on i felt judged and am NO different than ANY other addict on here except i got pregnant while using and most have not anyway to the mommy please do tell ur dr it is hard but i stepped up and u have to too u will prob be suprised w the help u get blessings to u

[mommy2be32212]

You go girl! Well said! I too was horrified that this person spoke to Imsoblond. I am 9 weeks pregnant and addicted to Ambien, and am weaning myself off slowly. But to tell her (or anyone) that she doesn't love her baby is unconscientable....and they have obviously never been through an addiction. I adore my baby and would give my life to protect him/her. It's not like us addicts are just looking to get high. I (and I believe is the case for the others with similar problems on here) am looking for a way to get off the stuff without hurting my child with the withdrawals. The fact that she is concerned about the affects on her unborn baby and the steps she's taking to get off the stuff shows what a good mother she already is and how much she DOES love that baby. Imsoblond ~ don't ever let anyone tell you differently. You will be fine!

[bbabii]

hi.. i just wanted to no if what u are sayin is really true.. i am addicted to heroin and i am in my 4th month of pregnancy. i am scared sh*tless and scared i am going to lose my baby. i do have suboxone.. but noe enough for the whole time i am pregnant and if i do keep gettin the suboxone will they have to wein my baby off of it to??? please help me.

[nursegirl6572]

I wanted to address this---

"My question is isnt there a Doctor/Patient confidentiality law to protect her? She should be able to confide in her dr without fears of repercussions"

Yes, there ARE confidentiality laws to protect a patient.  HOWEVER when there is a child at risk, medical professionals have a LEGAL and MORAL responsibility to report it to the proper authorities.  There would be bigtime consequences if it wasn't reported.

[nursegirl6572]

PLEASE read drea's posts over and over.  While the rest of us have been trying to steer you in the right direction...you have the info coming STRAIGHT from someone living it.  SHE did the right thing and told her doctor...and what happened?  She is getting support and being closely monitored.  Also, she is right about the Sub vs Methadone.  There just isn't enough research out there about the effects of Sub on a pregnancy/infant.  There is w/d for sure...but everything else is a big unknown.  On Methadone...you will be properly dosed (although you have to take it as Rxed)...and closely watched.  The delivery team will be FULLY prepared for any issues that come up...and they will be able to treat your daughter BEFORE w/d's begin.  If you stay silent...she will start w/d's, and that just is NOT fair to her.  Then, the docs are not going to have the info they need to treat her accordingly.

You don't want to lose your child, you are not a bad person.  You have a problem.  HOWEVER.  Time is of the essence now.  You've heard it from all of us....we are not just trying to scare you into doing the right thing.  If you think you will sneak this by the medical team, PLEASE think again...it's NOT going to happen.  IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.  So, if that is still where your mindset is...think again.  It truly will not happen.  They are going to find out.  Let them find out from you, NOW.  Your daughter WILL have w/d's from the Sub, and they can be VERY severe.  If that happens and you haven't disclosed vital info about your use....then CYS will NOT have any mercy, and you will have to fight that much harder to prove yourself.  WHY do that to yourself?  When you tell the doc...they aren't going to arrest you, they are going to help you.  Sure, you may be received very positively at first, but the longer you wait, the worse that will be.  And, who cares anyway...YOU are doing it for the right reasons.  You have a responsibility to this child, plain and simple.  Is the dad involved?  If so, what does he say?  Maybe HE could be supportive when you approach the doctor.  

Find a new OB today...and do whatever it takes to make sure that you are given the proper care and that your daughter will not be in any more danger at delivery than she has to be.  Newborns that have complications are so fragile, and things can literally turn on a dime.  It TRULY may make the difference between life and death for her if the team does not know about this...and IF it comes down to telling them at a moment where your daughter has gone into some type of distress, it may be too late.  I'm NOT saying that to frighten you, but it IS the cold hard truth.  And IF God forbid something would happen to your daughter...not only would you have to live with that knowing it was fully preventable, but there will be legal consequences beyond your imagination.  :0(

This is 100% fixable.  Fix it.....it's more than time.  Despite anything any of us have said to you here...we're all rooting for you...and we want the best for your child, and for you.

[drea9]

sorry but either way css is going to get involved. they only way you can save your child now would be to get clean they will test the baby for any drugs when you have her and if ANYTHING and i mean ANYTHING even weed comes up in yours or her system she's gone. get help and just be honest. days go on and you get threw things, people will stand by you and help you but they will not stand by you and help you if your not helping yourself. tell your ob you have to. just get it over with you will feel 100 times better. you know whats right and what you should do.just stick your chest out and hold your head up high, your doing this for a reason. do you like the way your life is right now? sounds to me like you don't. well do something about it. change... it takes time won't happen over night i can promise you that. and your going to have to work at it big time. but you know what when your looking for dope youll do anything and everything to get that high. so why not go through all the **** to get clean. start digging your way out of that hole you dug yourself into. you can do it! trust me if i can be where i am now from where i was just back in january... you can do it. and i don't even know you personally. but you have to want it. you have to be ready to give it all up. if your not then there's no point. you'll get sick and tired of being sick and tired one day. you'll get sick of hurting your family and living a lie. but you better do it while you still have that little bit of hope in the people that love you because pretty soon they will give up on you just like your giving up on yourself. and thats even a worse feeling. there's help out there, so use it. i put myself threw hell when i was using, don't get me wrong the thoughts of using are still there... but if you are going to NA i'm sure you heard "play the whole tape all the way threw" do it and i promise you, you will change everything. i don't want to hear of anything bad comming of your situation, and i am willing to help you in anyway possible because i know exactly what you are going threw. and it's not easy. i like to belive that us addicts are more of the stronger people in life because of what we have been threw and where we are today. but everything happens for a reason all you can do is learn from it and move on. son't make the same mistakes in a row. and learn to forgive yourself. your worth it. and so is your daughter. you have someone else depending on you now. it's not about you anymore it's about her. good luck!!!

[drea9]

i know exactly what you are going threw. i am currently 7 months pregnant and taking methadone. At the begining of my pregnacy i was pretty much using whatever i could get my hands on. when i found out i was actually pregnant it was to hard to stop, even though you truely want to. NO ONE WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT UNLESS THEY HAVE DELT WITH IT TOO. And trust me that is the truth. i'm seeing a mid wife not an ob because i am considered high risk being an addict and being on the methadone. the baby and yourself have to be monitored closely while on this stuff. i was actually told that suboxone will harm the baby more thats why theyrecommended methodone. subutex never came up so i couldnt tell you much about that. i'm currently on 42 mg and feel great. my baby is healthy aswell. i've asked to be winged off of the methodone because i don't want a  chance of my baby being addicted. but they won't recommend it just to be safe. there are at least 3 other girls that i run into at the clinic where i get my methodone and they all have had healthy babys, also surprisingly none of their babies we addicted when born. and they were on at least 70 mg. i'm not sure if your still wondering about all this i just read what was up top. i know exactly what you are going threw your not alone. and there are plenty of other women out there struggling with the same stuff. it's scary expecially when you have another to care for besides yourself. your not alone, and i just wanted to make sure the information i knew would be passed on to you, weather it helps you or not at least you know. i wish you the best of luck and if you need anything else, or have any questions please let me know. she's counting on you, and only you. remember that.

[RichDoc]

Blondie:

I will make it simple.  Find a new OB (preferably a woman--they are less judgmental toward other women), tell her your story from the beginning and tell her you want to do the right thing by your baby.  Ask her if she can get you on a titrated withdrawal schedule on suboxone.  Considering your alternatives, that is the safest treatment.  DO NOT continue doing what you are doing.  Stick to that schedule!  Any court later will commend you for trying to do the right thing by seeking help.  It is only if you do NOT seek help that they may take away your baby at birth.  But more than that, realize that you are now the light of your baby's life.  It isn't about you anymore.  It is about your child.  Good luck.  I am pulling for you, kid!

RichDoc

[bethinime]

I tried to read all the posts but there were so many so forgive me if I am asking a question that has already been asked. My question is isnt there a Doctor/Patient confidentiality law to protect her? She should be able to confide in her dr without fears of repercussions. Without that freedom thats what  makes us hide things...things that a professional can us with?

Secondly I want to say to iamblonde you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad to hear you are on suboxone now. Please keep us posted with your progress. I know addiction is hard. But this is something you can overcome and you and yourdaughter can be ok with the right treatment. Get help from your drs and if you and your ob dont get along great see if there is someone else on your insurance list you can switch to. You need to feel absolutely comfortable with your Dr so they can help you. Stay strong. I will be thinking and praying for you and your daughter.

[refusingbondage]

I just read this whole thread, and Im not going to comment, judge or tell you what to do.  But I do want to respond to your last question.  You are worried that if you go to NA and tell them whats going on that CPS can get involved.  What do you think is going to happen when you have this baby?  If you dont work with an OBGYN and you don't inform the hospital and your doctors that your using, when this baby is born addicted, CPS will definitely get involved, without a shadow of a doubt.  You have to trust someone.  NA will probably know of an OBGYN doc who is experienced in this.. the OBGYN may know of a sub doc who is experienced in this.. Dont let that one rude a-hole of a doc make you give up on your quest to do what is right for this baby and yourself.  You gotta keep trying.  Someone said above that your not the first pregnant heroine addict and you wont be the last and they are right..so please keep trying until you find a doctor who will support and help you.  Good luck and lots of prayers