methadone &pregnancy

[ttyoungin]

Okay I'm 32 wks pregnant and was hooked on percocets when i first found out its been two months since I've had a perc. but I've continued to take methadone to help with cravings. I have cut down to 5 mg a day but want to quit before the baby comes. i can go 24 hrs then i need to take methadone again. I just need some friendly advice should baby be safe if i do go longer than a day & about how long until the withdraws go away?" No negative comments please .

[Jenjaybee]

Hello, I thought I would share my story since I can relate. I was taking oxycontin and oxycodone through my second trimester and my pm doctor wanted me to switch to methadone or wd the baby so I decided to go ct on my own. I ended up in the hospital and now have to have weekly checks and am on medication to help with contractions and my ob is hoping I can make it to 34 weeks before active labor starts. I'm 32 weeks too! Anyway, it was the biggest mistake to try to do myself and my ob ended up drug testing me anyway... Just got the bill, not cheap when they run an expanded panel, plus they didn't need my consent since it's ob care, all of that and I was honest about my Rx usage from day 1 but had I hid it from my ob then I would be in a world of problems from the positive drug test. Anyway after I made so many poor choices I got on a good plan with my doctor. I did a slow taper and haven't taken any pills in a week. I wish I would have talked to my doctor in the beginning. Even though you're not prescribed the pills you have a desire to stop and do what's best for your baby and imo any doctor would want to support that. Good luck and I hope the best for you and baby!

[weaver71]

I'm so glad you're going to the doc tomorrow, not a lot of time to think about it, just spill it. All opiates are dangerous to detox while pregnant. You just need to get a regular dose that makes you comfortable. Your breast milk will have opiates in it to keep the baby from getting sick. You will be able to detox slowly once you're holding your little bundle of joy. Definitely let us know what the doctor says.

[Teresa1717]

All Opiate w/d can be dangerous on the baby! Percs are just a milder opiate but both can be dangerous for the baby to w/d from.

I really hope you will be honest with your Dr tomorrow too! I know your scraed but I think you will be more relieved after its done.

Let us know how it goes!

[ttyoungin]

Is going through percocet withdraws not as dangerous as methadone w/d while pregnant ?. Thanks for the advice again. I go see my dr. tmrw & hopefully i can get it out to him tmrw. like you both said i just want my baby to be safe.

[Teresa1717]

I agree with Weaver. I know this is a tough situation right now because your Dr doesnt yet know, but You really need to come clean with your Dr.! It really can be dangerous to your baby if you try and come of the Methadone at this point. Its a really strong opiate and it has to be weaned down slowly to avoid the w/d's (or at least severe w/d's) and at 32 weeks, I just dont think you have enough time to do it properly honey without causing potential problems for your baby. And if you DONT tell your Dr., the hospitals in most states automatically drug test the babies so then you can face a whole lot of other issues there.

Im not trying to scare you, im really not. I just really want you to make the best decision right now for your baby. I know yoru scraed to come clean, and I cant imagine what that feels like, but like Weaver said, Dr's have seen and heard it all and hopefully you have a good Dr who wont judge you and will just help.

[weaver71]

Please talk to your doctor about this. It's really important, especially with methadone. If you stay on a steady, low dose until the birth, and the doctor knows and is prepared, it is very uncommon for a child to be effected. If you keep going through withdrawals over and over or just stop, there is a fairly high chance of complications. Doctors have heard it all, so don't worry, put the baby first. I'm not trying to scare you, but I want you to know how important it is to tell your doctor. Congratulations on the new child, my kids are the joy of my life.

[ttyoungin]

Thank you none of this has been easy. & no my dr. doesn't know im not prescribed i get them from a friend, that's why i need advice idk what to do now i don't want children services involved, & really want to get off of them.

[Teresa1717]

Hi there and welcome! First off congrats on getting off the percs! Thats defintely a step in the right direction. As far as the Methadone, you should not try and detox off if it while you are pregnant. What you feel, the baby feels. So if your having w/d's so will the baby and it can be dangerous to the fetus because its just not as strong as you yet. The best thing to do IMO is stay on the methadone until you have your baby and then start the process of weaning off. The hospital will also be able to safely help your baby through w/d's is he/she has them.

Does your Dr. know your taking Methadone??

Congrats on the upcoming new baby :)