methodone and pregnancy

[hampton1982]

i have been clean of heroine for 19 wks. i am on methodone i started on 30ml onec daily and was dropping 5mls a week. i got down to 5ml one a day for a week and was planning on withdrawing completely i was determined but the day befor i planned to do this i found out i was 4 wks pregnant, which came as total shock as i only have 1 maybe 2 periods a year for last 7 yrs. i am opiate aware and know if i withdraw can cause miscarriage and as i was withdrawing i decided to go back to 10mls daily i am now comfortable and have been on this new dose for 4 wks. what i want to know is as most info i have read refers to mothers on 30ml daily or more what are the chances of my baby being born withdrawing at this low dose? i know every baby is different and someone on high dose can be ok whereas others on low dose are not but i canot find any info on such a low dose. plz help any info will be appriciated thankyou x

[natalile]

You'll find that on here hun no 1 pulls any punch's lol. Everyone are so honest, sometimes to the point you don't really want the advice your give, but everyone has the same gole in mind & thats to stay clean. We are the best people to help each other & i will PM you to oz when i'm off work ( night shift is crap ) :( but a job is a job eh & it keeps my mind bizzy.
Thinking of you hun xxxx

[hellc@mst]

How is it that when i am challenged and asked to supply sources for my comments that i am censured when i do and the challenge is left to remain and appear unanswered?

What do the moderators have against empirical evidence?

Are the moderators happy to allow incorrect information to fester while referenced opposition is routinely silenced?

[dominosarah]

You will get there.  You just need to process all of this first.  It's alot to take in all at once.  Keep us posted on how you are doing~~sara

[hampton1982]

id just like to say thankyou all for takeing the time to read my problem and get back to me it means so very very much.
i just want to do the right thing im just confused but im sure i will get there in the end. once again from the bottom of my heart thankyou xxx

[dominosarah]

Thank you ladies for all the great support you are giving hampton.

[sudie58]

i see how worried and scared you are, and that is no good to you in your pregnancy, i really think you should tell your midwife, she will be able to give you support, i think it will look really bad if you dont tell her and it comes out later, through complications or anything.  social services aim to keep children with there mothers, and there is no neglect on your part.  i too am from the uk, i really wish you well , take care ,sudie

[dominosarah]

Being honest with your doctor will be the best thing as they can monitor you and the baby.  I know you are scared right now so keep talking with us.  You are not alone here.       sara

Congrats on getting off H~~That is a great accomplishment!!

[hampton1982]

to nat, thanks for all your advice (everybody) i am now thinking i will be honest as that seems to be less risk to haveing my child(ren) taken i just really scared. i was a heroine addict for seven yrs and i get my methodone from a very reliable source who is on a methodone programme, but unfortunetly i have never seeked help as i am very ashamed and do not like the stigma that comes along with the tag of addict. i got myself of heroine all alone with no help and was very hard but i have beaten that addiction and was determined to beat the methodone to i was down to 5mls daily but like i said i found out i was expecting and as i am very opiate aware i know w/d can cause a miscarriage thats why i decided to go back to 10ml daily. i was planning on waiting till my second trimester and i was going to taper 1ml a wk as i herad this was the safest time tho i understand there is no gaurantee. most stories i have heard are about mothers on 30mls daily or more and in some cases baby is fine my cousin was on 50mls daily and her baby suffered no w/d i just wonder if it best if the chance is high my baby be ok that its best not opening this can of worms. the reason i am scared of social services is because they took my brothers 4 babies at birth and they have been involved with my mother tho all her children are with her but i feel they will be out to get my baby and i cannot take that risk. im just so confused if i can get of the last 10ls in the second trimester do you  think y baby will be ok at birth?

[natalile]

I have been a methadone user for over 9 years now,
With my first son i was very stupid & went cold turkey. I wasn't on methadone then just the herion, But thank god my son was fine no w/d.
Anyway with my second so 7 years later i was on methdadone & i was on a high dose 90ml a day. I got down to 20 ml a day & was told that most woman that get down to 30ml a day have very little problems with there baby's going through w/d. I think you'll be fine, But you have to tell the right people that are careing for your pregnacy that you are on methadone. I no what a worry it is when you have other childern as you think you risk getting social services involed. I'm from the u.k & i don't no what it's like in the u.s ( lol just looked & your a brummy it's so nice to see more people from the u.k useing this sight anyway. When i told my mid wife ect that i was on methadone, my other child was not even metioned. As i was stable on methadone ect & made sure that it was always keept in a safe place they were happy. I have been herion free for the longest time in 18 years, But i still ahve my addiction to methadone & vallium so i'v a long way to go.
But honestly hun as long as your open & honest with the midwife ect they can advice you better, I was so scared when Cameron came along i was sure he was gona w/d but he was fine & that was of 20ml, Ye everyone is different ect ect. Are you in a methadone programme were you have to see a key worker ??? If you are then services like that normally have there own mid wifes that are well in the no about your situation.
I no this might sound bad but it's nice to have someone who's on methadone due to herion use, we probably have alot in common. How long were you a addict for ??
Peace out Nat xx

[sudie58]

hi, look if you dont tell , they will know and think the worst of you. if you tell them exactly what you have told us, they will see how responsible you are being, it is the best thing to do for you, your baby and your 8 year old.  you wont loose your children , because you will have done the right thing. if you dont tell , well as has been said,then its a different ball game, i really wish you well, i also hope you will make the right decision, tell us how your doing, best wishes sudie

[Addeycakes]

LOL. REALLY? My baby did JUST that. Methadone. 2 months. 40 mgs daily. Lets see....severe withdrawals and rashes....spent 3 weeks at PICC...pediatric interim care center.  .you should read up on their website about what REALLY gos on......what's YOUR source BTW? I now volunteer there and see this stuff every week.  So actually......I'm sorry....

[hellc@mst]

There is also no correlation between a pregnant mothers methadone dose and the expected severity of withdrawals..... for the new-born baby.

[hellc@mst]

Sorry but babies do not 'suffer severe rashes on their bums' as a result of Methadone withdrawals. That's just crazy. There is also no correlation between a pregnant mothers methadone dose and the expected severity of withdrawals.

[Addeycakes]

Sorry about all the errors! Typing on my phone!!

[Addeycakes]

Your baby's blood will be tested when They are born anyway.  The baby will most likely begin to show signs of withdrawal before you are discharged and DEFINITELY at the first pediatrician appointment.  Babies who withdraw from methadone don't eat, and suffer severe rashes on their bums on top of the feelings you also experience when you yourself withdraw. Check out PICC. Pediatric Interim Care Center website.  If the doctor the pediatrician sees the babys  health declining and the baby gos to  the hospital, YOU will be in deep doo doo for. failing to report the problem and child. neglect!!! NOW, if you tell ur doctor....you are. safe, baby is safe, and they will wean the baby down themselves SAFELY.  Methadone is.  tricky....a lot of withdrawal depends how LONG  you take it. And 9 months. is a long time. I hope you make the best decision for you and your baby!

[IBKleen]

I don't think you will find information specifically on that particular dose or your particular situation. And the reason why it is always suggested to talk with your OBGYN is for several reasons---One reason is that he/she can suggest the best way to go about this. They may put you on a taper or they may even tell you to stay on it until after the delivery. Every doctor is different and every method is different. Either way, you should not make the decision on your own. The second reason is that they may take the baby (not your 8 year old) if you are not truthful and something happens during the birthing. It is always better to be up front and honest to avoid any problems down the road. Do you know what I mean? Simply put, hiding it could cause problems--telling the truth will show them that you care and you are honest about wanting help. I have not heard of anyone who was honest and got their baby taken away.

I wish you and your unborn child the very best. Let us know how you are doing.

[hampton1982]

unfortunetly no and i know how that sounds but i have an 8 yr old daughter and im scared to tell them incase they take her from me i know that must sound so silly to you. the docter doesnt even know i used to be a heroine addict i got clean all by myself and almost got of the methodone too i know i can do it i am determined and was determined till i found out im expecting. i know i cant come of it as i do not want to miscarry my baby i am now 8 wks. i cannot find no information about this low dose. please dont tell me to speak to my doc i am a good mother and cant bear the thought of loseing her i cannot take that risk. i am NEVER going to use again i just need information on the low dose x thankyou for takeing the time to reply and for any advice i really appriciate it x

[dominosarah]

Does your OB know you are on methadone?