im 39 weeks pregnant and addicted to loratabs

im 39 weeks pregnant and due any day now.i have chronic back pain and was prescribed loratabs 3 years ago. now i've been addicted to them since. i tried to stop taking them when i found out i was pregnant but the pain was to much to handle. i know its a little to much to late but i was just wondering if there have been any proven cases in which a baby has been born addicted to loratabs? because i have read that mothers have given birth to perfectly healthy babies and they took the same medication, i've been stressing about this since i found out i was pregnant and just want to know some truthful information. thanks

[bmdad]

There are plenty of cases out there where babies have been addicted to hydrocodone. How many mgs are you taking a day? You have to remember that everything you are feeling, your baby is feeling. Do you remember how it felt when you stopped taking them? Your baby will feel the same thing when he/she is born because your baby currently has it in his/her system and once born it will no longer be getting what it's use to having. But that doesn't mean your baby won't born healthy. Is your OB aware of the situation? That's the most important part. I hope so that way they have been able to keep an extra lookout for any problems that may arise. Hydrocodone is pretty much safe for the fetus as long as you haven't been abusing it. The acetaminophen in the lortabs can be toxic if too much is taken. As long as they are prepared at birth everything should turn out fine. If they are prepared they can properly taper your baby off. It may mean an extra week at the hospital for your baby if they are aware of your situation everything will turn out fine.
If your OB doesn't know you really need to inform them so they can be prepared at birth to deal with the withdrawals.

[dominosarah]

Does your OB know you are taking these?  How many do you take a day?

[inkedmommy44]

im taking 10mg about 4 a day. i do have chornic back pain thats why im prescribed them but my ob told me not to take them anymore. he doesnt understand that i can't just stop. that im truely in pain. but i do know that im taking more then i should. i feel horrible about taking them and being prego but i also heard that my withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms can harm my baby inside the womb.

[jeffclowns]

dang that suck , you need to quit really i wish you the best of luck hope you decide to quit keep posting..

[inkedmommy44]

well i know its not safe to just quit cold turkey, that can throw the baby into shock. i've been trying to cut down on the number im taking per day

[MzHolly]

you've got to tell your ob you're still taking them, you said you know you're taking more than you should, you mean more than 4 a day?

[bmdad]

You're are right about just quitting and this far along into your pregnancy. That's a big no no and glad you know that! You don't really have time to taper off the way you need too. The only way to attempt a taper while pregnant is under the care and direction of a qualified doctor. Your OB shouldn't have told you to just quit taking them. Your OB should have helped you with a proper taper from the get go. But that's in the past. You have to tell your OB that you are still taking them so they can be prepared to care for your baby once he or she is born. That's the only thing you really can do at this point. It's going to sound a lot better coming from you then your OB finding out from the blood work they run on all newborn babies and more than likely you. I'm not trying to scare you, just want you to know what's going to happen. Your OB is there to keep you and the baby safe and healthy. Your OB can't do this if you aren't up front and honest.
Try not too worry. Everything will work out okay if you do what you know you need to to.

[inkedmommy44]

No I'm only supposed to be taking 2 a day and I'm taking 4. But i will def letvthem know that I've been taking them. My sons health is more important then me being worried about what they will think.

[dominosarah]

I am so glad you are going to talk with your OB.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.    sara

[bmdad]

I second that I am glad you are going to talk to your OB!! I know it will be very hard to do but you are doing what needs to be done. There have been others that have come on here in the past with the same type of questions that you have had. Many were just taking them for recreation and getting them off the streets. Most got up the nerve to tell their OB after stressing about it for weeks. Most came back here happy and relieved because they finally got it off of their chest and their OB was helping them through. Informing your OB will help you, your baby and cover your but in case of blood work. I know yours are prescribed so it's a different situation here but if someone doesn't inform their OB, goes in for delivery, tests positive for drugs they then get child protective services involved. But if someone informs their OB about their poor decisions their OB is willing to help as is child protective services. They don't want to take a child away from their mother but if they feel the baby is in harms way they will. If someone doesn't fess up to it that shows that they care more about themself than their baby. If someone fesses up before hand about it that shows that they are putting their baby first no matter what the consequences or what it takes.
Like I said, none of that has to do with you since yours are legally prescribed for a legitimate reason but just want you to realize how important it can be to inform the OB about everything. Since yours are prescribed the OB has no other options except to help. I just wish your OB would have been more helpful from the get go by setting you up with a taper plan instead of just saying, "you need to quit those". Your OB should have been helping more from the get go and if he/she felt he didn't have the know how to help should have pointed you in the direction to someone that could have.
You haven't been taken a crazy amount or anything so your the only worry you should have is that the baby will probably have some withdrawals. I can't remember how far along you said you were but try and get into your OB right away so they can help you taper down some safely. Even if you only get tapered down by one before delivery, any little bit will help. If you are still taking them up until your delivery date they will safely taper your baby off of them.
As for you, have you considered stopping after you have your baby? Many of us here suffer from chronic pain including myself. There are others ways to manage chronic pain without having to worry about the effects narcotics have on our lives. I wish I would have quit for good long before I did. My back and sciatic pain still flares up on days but it's surprising how well over the counter meds actually do work. Once we start taking opiates we tend to think otc meds don't do a thing.
When the time comes and you are ready to put them down for good, please come here so we can help you through. You don't wanna have to deal with this a year down the road. The longer you are on them the harder it will be to stop using. Plus with tolerance if you are still taking them a year from now I can almost guarantee you that you will be using 2 to 5 times the amount you are now and they won't touch the pain. You will just take them to keep from getting sick.
You're a strong and good person for making the decision to tell your OB. You are going to make a great Mom! Please keep us posted on everything. I'm sure you will come back thankful that you told your OB.
Best of luck to you!

Brian

[gnarly_1]

HI...I think its great your telling you O/B your habit is small it might not effect the baby at all
and if it dose they have ways of dealing with that...im personal friends with a neo/natal nurse that works with addicted babys all the time....Jenny is compassionate and only wants whats best for the baby she is in charge of detoxing the babys as long as they know going in
it not a problem rest your mind everything will work it self out one way or another
good luck and God bless.......Gnarly  

[pillfree21]

Not scare you or anything, but I very much support the idea of you coming clean to the OB so there will be full disclosure at delivery in case their is an issue.  There is also the consideration of social services getting involved and creating even more issues for you in taking care of your son.  I wish you the best of luck and no one here is judging you, I know personally how hard it can be and can not imagine the burden of guilt you are most likely dealing with about this.  I wish you the best with your pregnancy and recovery.

[worried878]

Good 4 u!  and your baby

congrats!