methadone

[jennifer74]

i have been on the methadone for two months now and i am 11 weeks pregnant and want to know if i quit taking it right now is that alright or will it hurt the baby. also if u take your methadone and then miss a day or two while pregnant will that harm the child

[notmenow!]

you unfortunately have to stay on methadone throughout your pregnancy. However your dose can be no higher 30mg per day, It will cause to much harm to the baby to try and detox at time. what is your current dose as of today---------------------------------NOAH

[Joanne19792001]

Hi,
I am 15wks pregnant and am on 60mls methadone. I have been told by drugs worker and by consultant at antenatal clinic that it is not safe to reduce during 1st trimester but can reduce slowly during 2nd trimester. I have also been told that in 3rd trimester some women need to increase dose slightly as your body uses up methadone more quickly due to weight gain and blood volumes.
I have a son who is 2 in Jan and fell pregnant with him when i was on 140mls of Meth. Iknow it was stupid of me but it happened and i wouldn't change it for anything. I only managed to get down to 115mls and he needed to have small dose of morphine after he was born. He had this for 7 days.Because he was on the starting dose they give babies they reduced the no. of times he had it during day rather than dose, started every 4 hrs then 8 then 12. It was really horrible knowing i had done that to him but once he started on mor[hine 3days after birth he was ok and he did not seem to have any problems coming off the morphine. We were in hospital 10days but that was mostly due to other problems. Jacob was 5wks early and i am diabetic on insulin so he had problems with hypoglycemia and also had to be treated for chest infection which was not related to methadone.
My friend has just had baby last wk and luckily her baby did not need and medication,she was on 40mls. Baby was in hospital 5 days to be observed, I think the shortest amount of time they keep you in where i live is 3days to observe baby and then longer if baby needs medication untill they are stable then a keyholder has to be appointed to give medication out of hospital. I am on methadone because of Heroin addiction so it is thought to be risk for addict to administer morphine to baby. That is reason for keyholder but if you are on methadone for another reason then the same rules may not apply with regards to administering medication.
I don't know where you live but i think there are alot more people on methadone in US for pain relief than in UK. From what i've gathered i think it is used mainly for Heroin Addiction here but i could be wrong maybe i just don't know anyone prescribed for that reason.
Good luck with baby, hope everything goes well.

[lurker]

Congratulations - follow the advice of your doctor.  Generally, you should change nothing in the first trimester but I would work very closely with your physician.  Many women stay on methadone their whole pregnancy and the babys are fine - they give them a taper and they do very well.  Just be sure all your caregivers are aware of your methadone dose.  Have a happy pregnancy and a healthy baby!!

[danie619]

listen to comments like joanne19792001's.  definitely let drs know you are on methadone    if they approve or not. i was on 100mg and had to go up to 120mgs. i was not happy about this but our daughter was fine, no problems, no withdrawals ( no meds were given and no other indications of withdrawal ). i had to go up during my last trimester. also breastfeed if you can, it is best for baby. i have read tons of research - its out there. just be careful and mindful as you can about any decisions you make. good luck and congrats