Tramadol and Pregnancy

[nina8714]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post ever.

I am currently 3 weeks away from giving birth.  When I found out I was pregnant I was addicted to the Tramadol 50mg tablets.  I took around 16 per day.  When I found out I was pregnant I stopped taking the pills right away.  It took about a week, but I was off very quickly.  I was very depressed, not sleeping and had a lot of anxiety.  When my first trimester ended I began taking around 2 per day.  Taking just 2 per day made me feel much better.  I spoke with my OB about taking 2 per day and he gave me mixed signals about taking them.  He mentioned that I could continue to take two per day, but he didn't feel comfortable giving me a script for them since I was clearly addicted to them.

I continue to take them and I now take around 4 per day.  I am scared now that my baby will be born addicted to this drug.  I feel very bad when I take less than 4 per day, but I am willing to taper off over the next few weeks if this is safe for the baby.  My questions are: If I taper off now could the baby still be born addicted? Could I hurt the baby if I taper off now?  If I feel bad from not taking them, is the baby also suffering?  I would appreciate any information I could get.  I feel horrible, and I don't want to do anything to hurt my baby, but I got myself in a pretty bad situation and I need to know what to do to make it right.

Also, has anyone else had expierence with tramadol and pregnancy, or even pain pills in general and pregnancy?  Is the amount I'm taking putting me at risk for having a baby born with withdraw symptoms?

Thanks.

[Totsie59]

nina..PLEASE ask your dr these exact same questions..I bet he or she will be great help..and will be glad you asked. Best of luck to you and your baby.

[allaboutmary]

You are not alone. There are many pregnant women addicted to pain pills. but like Totsie said .....you need to talk to your doctor about this.  It is a must that your doctor know how many your taking. Don't worry they deal with this all the time. They will know how to help you and your baby.

[partyof5mom]

Hi there. I am new to this forum but saw your post and wanted to let you know that you are not alone. My situation is quite different but the one fact persists: addiction.

I found out this past thursday that I am pregnant. Not only that, I have been pregnant unknowingly for 20ish weeks with absolutely NO symptoms and a ridiculously irregular period. I started tapering use back at the beginning of May, going from 5-7 Lortab 10's per day to what is now 7.5's broken in half four times per day. I did this because my husband quit CT and I wanted to quit as well. We were just not in a position for us to both be laid up 'nearly dead' and someone had to work and take care of our 2 daughters. He knew he was not strong enough to taper and his consumption was much much heavier than mine. I knew I had the willpower to taper so decided to do it that way.

I see my doctor for the first time this friday, after going to a local clinic this past friday to confirm the pregnancy test I took the night before. Thank god I had decided to quit already and have done well so far, but my usage at this point is absolutely not what i want to continue now that I know I am pregnant. I am doing all that I can to make sure I finish weaning and stop completely, but for me there is more time to get that done. I worry about telling this to the doctor and what sort of reaction I will get as well as what possible harm I might have done over the course of half a pregnancy not knowing that I was.

I dont know if for you there is time to taper with your dosage without w/d... I have no experience with the drug you are taking, but I'm sure there would be some withdrawal and could cause you to go into labor during that time. In that case, if you have already talked to your doctor about it and they know, I'm going to second the suggestions of the others and say talk to them again. Make sure they are aware of what you have been taking for the sake of your baby at delivery. What's done is done and your baby's health at birth is what you need to think about. Atleast you've already jumped the hurdle that I fear right now of actually telling them. They will not be suprised that you have been taking them this far along and chances are they are expecting some sort of withdrawals in your baby - whether it will happen or not is left up to fate at this point. You are in my thoughts and I pray for both you and the baby. I know exactly the worry and guilt you must be feeling but just trust your doctors right now. That is the best we can do as pregnant addicts... or atleast that's how I feel.

Best of luck to you. Feel free to send me a private message if you want to chat...

[123456m]

Well I am a guy I was taking 20 100 mg pills of tramadol a day a year ago and I had some not to nice wds if you could quit the 16 just like that I would quit the 4 now.
It only makes sense you are feeding your baby as it gorows through your own body chemistry. I am not at all saying the abby would be born addcited but it could cause other unknown problems. Get a second opinion from another doctor would be my advice.
Peace