Vicodin and pregnancy

[Bridgedus]

. Well my doctor prescribed vicodin, 3 a day, 5/500,  for my sciatic pain. Now I am 20 days away from delivery and he's saying its possible my son will be born addicted! I dont understand why i wasnt told about this earlier. do you think it's enough time to wean off or stop conpletely and he will be ok? I'd rather be in pain than have him go through that. Does anyone have actual experience with this?

[dominosarah]

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/219225/Chronic-Pain-and-Pregnancy

This is one of her journal entries.  She has given us permission to use her journals for the questions you have.

[dominosarah]

We have had many moms deliver that were on narcotics when they gave birth and everything turned out fine.  There is a girl who has some great info on all of this.  Her name is Jadedsweetheart.  I will go and find her info for you.  Please dont stop the meds as that can cause labor to start.  Your doctor is aware of what is going on and that is a good thing.  Is this your first baby?

[Missy1231984]

Since she said she was 20 days from delivering that suggests she is being induced.  The doc could not treat the stone while I was pregnant due to the size.  They did however try a nuephrostomy tube and then a stent to drain my kidney so I wouldn't lose function.  W/Ds are certainly the biggest risk, but there are things like narcs, inductions, low birth weight, etc.  that increase the chance of certain medical problems.   The more of those you avoid the less likely of having a problem.  That doesn't mean that those things will definitely lead to problems or even usually do.  It just means that there is a link between doing those things and unfavorable outcomes.  Doctors do plenty of things that can stress a baby.  That is why many inductions lead to c-sections.  

Bridgedus- just keep doing your research and keep in close contact with your doctor.  Chances are things will be 100% fine, but there are things that you can do to help increase those chances.   I hope the best for you and your baby.  Childbirth is a true miracle.  

[atthebeach]

hello and welcome. how long have you been on the vicodin?
you are at a very low dose. did your ob prescribe them or a gp?

[nursegirl6572]

I suggest holding off on delivery as long as possible to give the baby more time to adjust.

Sorry, just found this funny.  Minus being induced, it's not really easy to control something like that.  LOL

I got a kidney stone while pregnant and the doc couldn't operate until I had my baby. Oh my!!!  You mean they didn't take care of the kidney stone because of narcotics?  Oh dear...that's a shame.  It would have made MUCH more sense for the docs to treat the stone.

  It also reduces colic and SIDS, which your baby will already be at risk for. The lower the dose you are on at deliery the less likely the baby will have breathing issues, breastfeeding issues, colic, etc.

I'm sorry, but I respectfully disagree with the above.  


Plenty of pregnant women take opiates during their pregnancies.  The biggest risk is that the baby may have w/d's.  A lot of them do not...and your dose isn't insanely high, so you may find that the baby won't even have any problems.

Don't get overly stressed about this...your doc is aware, the medical team will know what to look for in the baby, and will treat him/her accordingly.  If you need pain medicine during labor, that's fine too...there's nothing wrong with that.  They wouldn't give mothers in labor pain medications if it stressed the baby.  There are short windows where pain meds are offered, and safe to take...during labor.

You can ask your doc for a SLOW supervised taper, but in the end, if you don't make it off the Vicodin completely...it will be okay.  Sadly, many people are uninformed about the risks, and will be overly dramatic about taking an opiate during pregnancy.  Your baby will be okay...the most important thing is that your OB is aware, and she is.

Enjoy your pregnancy hon!

[Missy1231984]

He can be born addicted.  It might be a good idea to see another doc.  Any doc that puts a preggo women on narcotics for an extended period of time should explain the risks.   I do have some experience with this.  I got a kidney stone while pregnant and the doc couldn't operate until I had my baby.  I am also studying to become a midwife.   The docs had me taper a pill a week towards the end, but i was in contact with my doc frequenty and monitored with a non stress tess every three days the last 2 weeks.   I would ask your doc todo the same.  The lower the dose you are on at deliery the less likely the baby will have breathing issues, breastfeeding issues, colic, etc.   I suggest holding off on delivery as long as possible to give the baby more time to adjust.  Docs are so quick to induce at 40 weeks even though the average length of pregnancy is 41 weeks 1 day when not induced.  Every day the baby has to cook makes it less likely to have breathing and feeding issues.   It also reduces colic and SIDS, which your baby will already be at risk for.  Definitely do not take any narcotics during labor.  It will only make the baby more stressed.   If you need to talk send me a message.  I can relate to what you are going through.  

[hope4good]

When I was pregnant I was also addicted.  My doctor sent me to detox so me and baby could be watched while I quit.  I asked him if the baby would be ok and he said probably because I tapered down and I quit in time.  My baby was very healthy when I had her and I am so glad I had such a wonderful and understanding dr.  Ask him the best day to quit that will not hurt the baby. Did he not give you any suggestions when you talked to him?  If he didn't that is a major mistake on his part.  I hope you get the help you need because it sounds like you are already a good mother that wants to do the best for your baby.  

[Bridgedus]

I didn't even notcie this was an addiction forum until after I posted, I ended up here through a google search. I reposted in pregnancy. My ob says gain outweighs risk but I don't agree.  I just don't want my son to be uncomfortable on my account.

[Pat1956100]

There have been many pregnant moms on this forum who were addicted to pills and at a much higher dose than you.  It is not safe for you to go cold turkey as your baby will feel the withdrawals more than you.  Please talk to your OB and see what he/she recommends.  It is best to be totally honest with everyone concerned.  If they find out without being informed, it could cause problems.
If your baby is going to go through withdrawals it is better after he is born where he can be monitored and treated rather than him being in distress now.  
Since your doctor is very aware of the vicodin, you did nothing wrong and it's important for you not to get stressed out now.  Talk to him and discuss your options.

Please let us know how you make out.