Suboxone and pregnancy

I am 6 months pregnant and am a recovering heroin addict. I have been on suboxone for about 8 months and it has been working very well for me. My doctor doesnt know that I take this medication. My questions aqre: Should I tell her that I am on this? My belly isnt very big at all and I kindof feel like it is because I am taking suboxone. Now, the baby kicks and moves around ALL the time. I eat right and I have gained 15 pounds in the 6 months that I have been pregnant. I take my prenatal vitamin every night. I do everything that Im supoosed to be doing to make sure my baby is healthy. I am just having concerns about suboxone. Please tell me what you can about this medication. I was going to switch to methodone but the closest slinic to where I live is an hour away and I am not financialy stable enough to pay for the methodone. I just need to know the facts about the suboxone and what it can do to my unborn child.


This discussion is related to Pregnant & Suboxone.

[Coolio Hernendez]

Someone will be on here soon that can help you more (nurse)....Personally i think you need to tell the doctor. I cant imagine that he would be mad or make you stop altogether....But im sure everyone who responds is going to tell you to let your doctor know.

[johannaviles]

Why havent you told your Dr?  This is what i found:

SuboxoneL Buprenorphine and naloxone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether buprenorphine and naloxone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Use of buprenorphine and naloxone during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in a newborn baby. Do not take buprenorphine and naloxone if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Buprenorphine and naloxone passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take buprenorphine and naloxone if you are breast-feeding a baby.

[bandnmom]

I thin k you should tell your doctor. Just so that he has a heads up. I have no experience as far as sub goes but many people here do. Someone will come along soon i am sure. Congrats on the baby and best of luck to you.

[Coolio Hernendez]

There was a post on here last week about a lady who was on methadone during pregnancy and while breast feeding and when she stopped her baby seemed to be in withdrawals...so she was breaking up methadone and feeding it to her baby..........Just unreal !!!!!

So just be honest with the doctor im sure they have seen it all and the fact that your on Suboxone must mean you intend to stop abusing and do whats right.....

Good luck.

[avisg]

TELL YOUR DOCTOR plz .Discuss with both doctors changing over to subutex. Your doctor needs to know .Even on sub there is a chance that your baby could experience  when he/she is born .Good luck I am sure everything will go wonderfully.

[sadinmichigan]

I think you should have told your Dr. already..why the concern at 6 months all the sudden..I don't get it..I'm glad you are dealing with your heroin problem but you have another human being to think of besides yourself..I hope you forget about you being in trouble and tell your dr, asap...

[nursegirl6572]

I couldn't agree more...your doc needs to know ASAP!

While there HAVE been people on Sub during pregnancies, it is NOT recommended for many reasons.  One, the likelihood of the baby having w/d's are pretty high.

Scary thing about THAT is...if you do not disclose the info and your baby starts to exhibit signs of w/d....the initial standard opiate tests will not pick up the Sub, and there is a possibility that they could misdiagnose your baby with something else, which of course, could be dangerous....especially if they would begin treatment for a different, non-existant problem.

PLEASE please please tell your doctor right away.  You have that responsibility to your baby.

One of the posters here, 1234betterlife is a very experienced OB/GYN nurse, so she can give you some info about what to expect the plan will be once you inform your doctor.  I know you are frightened to tell your doctor, but don't be.....that is the right thing to do...and your doc will understand that.

Best of luck to you AND your baby!

[Soon2BMrsTurner]

are you getting the sub from a doctor? I have to ask because you said you cant afford the meth but you are paying for sub? Why worry now when you are only three months from having the baby? I guess im just saying you should have already done something so that baby isnt born having WD's . PLease tell your doctor its very important, I would hate to see them call Child Services because you didnt tell anyone and the baby having to go through that . No matter how scared you are please tell them and get the help you need for you and your baby ,