narcotics and pregnancy

[niknurse]

I posted before but didn't get much of a response.  I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking narcotics during entire pregnancy (be it prescribed or not) and what the outcome of the baby was.  Any experience at all.  I've had to be on them for a medical condition and I'm terrified for the baby to be born addicted.  I've heard it totally depends, some are some aren't.  My doctor seems to think the baby will be fine, but that is not good enough for me.  I just want to hear from people that have been or are going through it.  Please any story will be helpful.  

[Mikeinthesouth]

I feel your'e fear. All Id suggest is to pray for the lil perso. I have heard and read stories withboth outcomes. Hang n there I'd be willing to bet the longer time you have clean gives yer baby more of a chance not to be addicted.

[GoingToMakeIt]

PM (private message) 1234betterlife. She is an RN specialized in OBGYN
http://www.medhelp.org/user_profiles/show/279300 She has not poted this week, but I bet she will answer your PM.

I too have heard good and bad with using while pregnant.

[newmanagment]

my wife was on a narcotic for a back problem when she was pregnant with our son. i have no clue what it was , but it was a narcotic. Our family doc prescribed them . i was freaked out , so i took the bottle to her ob doc. he assured me the baby would be fine, and it wouldnt affect him at all. she took them about 2 months or so, right thru first tri-mester and into the second. all was well, but i would still do as mike suggested, and PRAY.. my prayers are with you and yours....

[avisg]

welcome, I know one of our members is very helpful with people who are using durning pregancy her name is girlybuff ......she has alot of good info

[niknurse]

Thanks for the response.  I will PM her.  Can I ask the spectrum of what you've heard?  I'm sure a lot has to do with the amount taken and length.  I too, actually, am a nurse.  I specialize in pediatrics believe it or not.  So, I've seen w/s' in a neonate.  I think that is why I'm so terrified.  It definetley helps if the doctor is aware because they watch for it and intervene as early as possible.  My problem is I cannot go off these meds.  I've been told by my perinatologist that it is more dangerous to come off then to take them.  In cae of a bad pain crisis that will distress the baby.  I feel so out if control and so guilty.  I appreciate your response.  I know it's a taboo thing

[GoingToMakeIt]

worried878 and Jacqui805 are nurses too. We will try to round them up for you.

[niknurse]

I have read girlybuffs responses before, I was just looking for numbers.  What different experiences were.  I know girlybuff's older reponses were helpful.  I think I will Pm her.  Thank you guys.  I'm doing my best to get a low as I can on the dosage and I'm wathced VERY carefully, but I am almost 37 weeks.  So far baby is great!!!  

[niknurse]

Thank you for your help.  It is so helpful to talk to people about it.

[GoingToMakeIt]

I sent 1234betterlife a PM to comment here. if she is around, she will. Check this post later for answers too.Sounds like you are doing good. Take care of the both of you.:)

[oxygirl487]

whatever u do do not go c/t..c/t is very harmful to the baby.....i lost a baby because i stopped oxycontin c/t and i miscarried.....i have a friend who carried twins full term and she was on percosets for her back..her babies are fine and doing very well....just please dont stop c/t until u see a dr ok? i wouldnt want anyone to go thru the hell and guilt i still feel today...god bless u sweetie and i pray for u and ur baby....

[Flutterby111]

I took percocet while pregnant....pretty much the entire time.  I was prescribed them for migraines.  I couldn't take any of the other meds to take care of them...at the time, those were the safest options.  I was prescribed 5/325's.  On a very bad day I would take maybe 4 or 6 total.  Most days only 2.  I wouldn't take them every day though.  Sometimes I would go 4-5 days without.  During the last month I had alot of headaches and took 2 per day.  I delivered c-section and of course was given more and more frequently.  I also nursed for a few weeks....she was fine, and didn't seem to suffer one but.  No problems, no fussing at all....during the transission from breastmilk to formula.  She is alert, healthy and normal.  Since my use turned into addiction and abuse, I was and am of course concerned even now, but as of now, she seems absolutely perfect and she is four months yesterday!  Hope that helps! :)

[niknurse]

I'm so glad to hear from you.  I'm also very happy to hear that your little one is healthy and thriving.  My dosage now runs 50-65 mg oxy a day.  I never miss a day or I get into trouble.  I'm glad nursing worked out for you too.  I really want to nurse.  The docs actually told me it was a good thing to do.  I too had migraines and they SUCK!!!  It still makes me feel better to hear your story and so happy that she is doing so well.  4 months wow!!!!  Thanks for your story

[niknurse]

You are right that is the one think my doctors have been absolutely strict about.  Not to stop cold turkey.  I actually don't think I could.  I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage.  You did what you thought was best for the baby.  I so appreciate your kind words.  I hope that you are doing ok.  I have read some of your older posts and they have been very helpful.  It is good to hear about your friends twins too.  I pray everything will be ok.  You take care too, you are in my thoughts.

[worried878]

When you miss a dose, do you go into WDs?  In other words, are you physically dependent on them?  Using pain pills during pregnancy happens some times as it is necessary....If you are physically dependent on them, then there is a greater chance that your baby will be,... And even then it is not always the case...It is just more likely...hope this helps

[niknurse]

I absolutely have w/d symtpoms.  I get RLS and jitters.  I hate it.  My pancreas acts up too.  I'm on them because I have bad chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis.  I'm trying to wean but it has been difficult b/c of pain and w/d's and the docs say teh w/d can hurt the baby.  So, if I am dependent that does that mean the baby has a higher chance of being too?  I've heard so many conflicting things.  I talked to a neonatologist that said it totally depends and noone knows.  But, they must have some idea.  In fact, a nurse in know in my OB office told me the other day there was a woman who was taking tyl #3 not everyday and never more than 3 (way less than I take) and the baby had to go the NICU for w/d and had to be medicated.  She also said though that , that is very rare with that dose and that drug and that she may not have been honest about her usage.  If she claims she's not dependent how can the baby be?  

[worried878]

I do not mean to scare you...but think about it...if you are physically dependent there is a better chance your baby will be as well...They do an abstinance score on the baby and will medicate with ativan if needed to help the baby...the WDs are very similar as an adult...diarrhea and anxiousness...crying   Let your doc know the whole picture...sounds like you have  H e needs to know and help you safely taper and this will help the baby tremendously...Gosh it is hard for me to say this as I feel bad that I have said it...I do not want to scare you but you need to take this seriously

[niknurse]

Oh believe me seriouly is an under statement for how I'm taking it.  In fact, I feel all my doctors aren't taking it seriously enough.  I've seen some neonates in w/d in the ER (i'm a pediatric er nurse)  and it's awful.  I know a score over 8 calls for pharmcological intervention.  I've researched the heck out of it.  I think I just wanted to hear more stories about people that have had to take them and knowing that I thought it would give me abtter idea of the chances.  One of the things I read said that the molecular weight of narcotics is higher than that of like tylenol an dis not absorbed as readily thorugh the placenta, so even if you are dependent there is a chance b/c of the weight that the baby isn't getting hardly anything.  Truthfully, I don't think anyone knows.  I am on a tapering schedule per my doctor, but they don't want me weaning any lower than I am.  I really want ... so I don't know what to do.  I swear you could know every study and every biological element to this and I still need to hear from people to be prepared.  When all your docs keep telling you it's gonna be ok and then you think it will be you are not prepared when or if it's NOT ok.  Does that make sense?  But, I thank you for your honesty.  Ihope I don;t sound like I don't take it seriously because I actually have been losing sleep over it adn can't atop researching it. You are not scaring me I need to hear all aspects and opinions.  It just helps me deal and be ready for anything.

[Flutterby111]

Can I ask what you take it for?  Is it a pain you feel you can handle with some other drug?

[worried878]

I can tell you are taking it serioulsy and you will be a wonderful mom...pray and do the best you can with these circumstances...I believe God always has a plan and I trust hime when I need guidence like this...keep posting

[niknurse]

You are so sweet and your kind words mean a lot.  I thank you for all your advice.  I  agree with you,I need to put it in God's hands and do my best.  Sometimes you just need to hear it.  I will keep posting.  God bless and thank you

[spacecadette]

Well I have been reading all of these comments and reading that you are a nurse, I must say I am surprised you are not more informed.  Of course your baby is going to be born addicted sweety!!! I'm sorry to be the first to drop the ball.  But lets think philosophically for a minute.  I can imagine how scared you are.  Remember all of those anatomy and physiology lectures? Pharmacology? If you are a pediatric nurse, than I"m sure you have taken all of these classes.  And if you have taken these classes, than think back to everything you have learned.  However, they now have gentle ways of weaning baby's down from opiates.  I'm not sure where u are living, but I am aware of a place called PICC.  Pediatric Interim Care Center. Go to www.picc.net and it will tell you all about it.  I believe it is the only one in the nation which deals with infant withdrawls.  Hospital withdrawls sessions can cost tens of thousands of dollars. I believe they treat babys from all over the U.S.  but it can be done.  U are in an amazing field. Medicine.  Your doctors will guide you and you are taking it for pain.  So in that aspect you should not feel guilty.  Life throws curve balls and sometimes we strike a few times before we get our chance to nail one.  check out the site...keep posting

[spacecadette]

Well I have been reading all of these comments and reading that you are a nurse, I must say I am surprised you are not more informed.  Of course your baby is going to be born addicted sweety!!! I'm sorry to be the first to drop the ball.  But lets think philosophically for a minute.  I can imagine how scared you are.  Remember all of those anatomy and physiology lectures? Pharmacology? If you are a pediatric nurse, than I"m sure you have taken all of these classes.  And if you have taken these classes, than think back to everything you have learned.  However, they now have gentle ways of weaning baby's down from opiates.  I'm not sure where u are living, but I am aware of a place called PICC.  Pediatric Interim Care Center. Go to www.picc.net and it will tell you all about it.  I believe it is the only one in the nation which deals with infant withdrawls.  Hospital withdrawls sessions can cost tens of thousands of dollars. I believe they treat babys from all over the U.S.  but it can be done.  U are in an amazing field. Medicine.  Your doctors will guide you and you are taking it for pain.  So in that aspect you should not feel guilty.  Life throws curve balls and sometimes we strike a few times before we get our chance to nail one.  check out the site...keep posting

[niknurse]

I actually am pretty informed.  Every single neonatologist or specialist,including and anesthesiologist (my doc) has said that noone knows for sure if the baby will be addicted because you never know how much the baby is getting. through the placenta and every woman's placenta is different.  They have all even gone as far as to say that the chances are slim that the baby will w/d.  That w/d is the "exception rather than the rule"  In fact, one woman I spoke with was on WAY more than I am throughout the entire pregnancy and the baby's blood level was 'nil and suffered absolutely no withdrawal.  Again this has to do with the molecular weight of the drug being taken.  Then there is the woman above I told about the at barely took any and she was not dependent but her baby was. So knowing this your probably wondering why I'm even asking?  It's like I said you can be as informed as any physician, but statistics and numbers is what comforts me.  (or sometimes doesn't)I will go to that website though.  I've heard about it, but had completely forgotten about it. THanks

[GoingToMakeIt]

All I can say is my wife is a nurse. But sometimes when it is happening to you. You need other opinions to help you.

[spacecadette]

Do look into the website.  They have a lot of FAQ on there which can help you figure out what to do or even how to help treat your baby if necessary when born.  From what i know they are an amazing facility with many states and countries from all over the world visiting them in hopes of forming a similar institution.  Good luck and keep posting.  

[niknurse]

Thanks.  I will check it out!!   And GoingToMakeIt you could not be more right!!!!!!!!!!

[spacecadette]

I understandf that.  And for the record, it did happen to me.  Good luck

[Firefaery1023]

To be honest, I took pain killers throughout my entire pregnancy.  I cut back a lot and worried everyday what might happen to my son but he was born extremely healthy.  If your ob know that you are on them and says that it is ok, take them only when you need them.  DO NOT ABUSE THEM!!!  They are very addictive and you could end up with a problem not just your baby.

[Marce4]

I gotta say that I am truly surprised that none of the preganant women that are addicts have  been advised by there OB's to pursue any typed of Prenatal Testing.  I am an RN and work in Prenatal Testing and L&D....The test is so non-invasive and simple that I would think more women would be going through this. It consists of a Non-Stress Test which is simply putting mom on an external monitor...l.isten to the heartbeat and looking for things in the heartrate that reassures everyone or a Biophysical Profile which is more extensive testing done under Ultrasound.  Chances are that your baby will be fine but I agree with the other posts that everyone is different and you just don't know.  

WIth that said, I just want you to know that I would be the last to judge you as I am also a nurse and can't believe I've become an addict!!!!!  Just be sure that everyone involved in the delivery of your baby is aware of the amount and drug that you are taking.  They are not there to judge you either....just to give you and your baby the best and most effective care available!  

My prayers are with you for a healthy child!
Marcie

[jamielee55]

I have. I took oxycontin through my pregnancy, nobody knew. I was terrified to tell anyone and terrified to stop because I heard withdrawl would kill the baby. So I lowered my dose extremly. And when I had my beutiful son Nathan,  he had a bowel movemoent while he was still in my stomach, I think it was called mucosum or something like that, and he got an infection from that so he had to stay in the hospital for a week, which, I think was a blessing in disguse. They say that just happens it had nothing to do with the narcotics. But I was somewhat relived he had to stay in the hospital so he could be closly monitered. They never said nothing about him going thought withdrawls at the time, but I told my doctor everything like a week later and she said she belived he was going though a very mild withdrawl. And thank god nothing terrible happened but I should have told them everything right away. He is now three and a half years old, and he is perfect. I do belive he is hyper active and I don't know if that is from the narcotics. But other than that he is great. If I could turn back time I would have went to the doctor and told them everything. I am just grateful, in a way, that he stayed in a hospital for a week. Because if anything would have went wrong. I just think you should tell your doctor everything, and take their advice, whatever it may be. Good Luck!!!

[kris123]

I took some narcotics while i was pregnant and my son is fine go to www. safefetus .com had to put spaces - look up the med name and it will tell you the class of the drug - class A is proven to ok, then there is B little chance of hurting fetus,  class C it is not known if it effects the fetus or not, it hasn't been proven and it has not - class D is harmful and can hurt fetus - i took a class C while pregnant as well as some narcotics - my son is fine and has no problems - that is my experience

[kris123]

Also go to the Maternal & Child and post - full of pregnant women and women wanting to get pregnant - great forum - i am on there a lot - good for after you have the baby - all those newborn questions ;)

[niknurse]

Thank you everyone for your responses.  I so appreciate your feedback.  Marce4 I just wanted you to know that I do get NST's twice a week since I was 24 weeks.  I have had every test known to man from the perinatologist.  I also get u/s's every 4 weeks to check for growth and other abnormalities.  So far, everything has been perfect. The baby last month was a tad small 36%, but I have Cystic Fibrosis so that is actually good for someone like me.  I have another one tomorrow, so hopefully baby has gained enough weight. IUGR is a concern.  All my docs are aware of my meds, dosage, etc.  They are taking really good care of me.  In fact, my docs even keep each other informed.  For instance my pain doc won't be administering my epidural but he has written instructions on how my pain should be managed in every possible scenario and that my epidural will be administered higher up and if I deliver by c-section, they will keep the epidural going for at least the first 24 hours.  Being opiod tolerant, as you can imagine, makes it very hard to control pain.  So, I just wanted you ease your mind in knowing that your field is taking VERY GOOD care of me.  And the nurses likeyou have been so supportive and helpful.  I think I must just be a paranoid wreck.  
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, it is very helpful.

[worried878]

Sounds like you have covered all the bases....You have gathered as much info as you possibly can and it sounds very encouraging...fear of the unknown is always my worst fear and I would have done just as you have and educated myself and tested and found out everything I could on the subject...sounds like you have some great docs as well...you know having a baby is a monumental event even without opiate usage...your CF and all too.....you have every reason to be concerned...I would do all I can like you are doing and relax.....your baby is telling you to "relax mommy"  lol  keep posting

[GoingToMakeIt]

Leave it in God's hands. We have prayed. You have done your do diligence. Now relax and just enjoy your pregnancy and baby  I wish you and your baby the best.
If you need anything else, don't hesitate to PM me or just ask here.

[niknurse]

You guys really are the best, andI know you are right. Thank you...I promise I will take a deep breath now.

[jossysmom]

Hi, I was just reading all of these comments and wanted to tell you what I know from my experience. I am 36 weeks pregnant and have been on a Subutex program for about 3 months now. I take 16 mg everyday. I feel like I don't need all of it but my doc hasn't reduced my dosage because of the baby. I want you to know that I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. All of my doctors know what is going on and that alone was the biggest relief of all. My OB wasn't real sure of the outcome but is very optimistic that the baby won't have any problems. She seems to think that since Subutex is such a long acting med. that by the time the baby is nursing that he will be getting the same amount as he was in the womb through the placenta. Also, the pharmacist told me that the baby should only be getting as much as he would from nursing and the doc's always give you some kind of narcotic after you've delivered. I also wanted to say congrats on the baby and keep me posted about your progress. It looks like we are due around the same time...You are NOT alone!!!!

[wantanswers2day]

In answer to your original question regarding those who have taken narcotics during pregnancy and wanting to know how things turned out.  I wasn't sure if you were mostly interested in withdrawl issues or if you were interested in infant development afterwords etc...but I felt I should at least post my story for info purposes.  I was in an auto accident at 18 weeks gestation and had tremendous back and neck and hip pain after as a result of spraining and bruising.  In addition to PT, Chiro and massage, my doctor rx'd vicodin to take as needed for pain (the lowest dose..whatever that is)  I checked with the OB, pediatrician and family doc and all said it was ok to take as long as i took as directed.  The rx was for 1-2 tabs every 6 hours as needed for pain.  I took 1 tab 2 times a day and occasionally 3 times a day....but not everyday.  It was a few days on few days off...no pattern in my taking it.  So throughout the remainder of my pregnancy I took this off and on...and discontinued two weeks prior to delivery all together (which for me wasn't a problem since I wasn't addicted...I could stop and go as needed according to my pain)  Delivery went well...just scheduled C section (due to two previous c sections), but my son was taken to NICU for observation for a few hours.  He was placed under an o2 tent until his sat level normalized and could stay that way on his own.  He was in my room by noon.  He had some slight tremors of his hands those first few days, and the docs felt his nervous system was just still trying to kick in.  No one felt it was due to the Vicodin(hydrocodone) since I hadn't even had any in two weeks.

Anyway, trying to get to the main point here...my son is now 7.5 months old, has low muscle tone, developmental delays and vision problems which they feel is all connected  (they feel the vision problems are from the brain end, not his actual eyes). He has a neurologist, ophthalmologist, genetisist and physical therapist working with him and trying to get to the bottom of all this.  They are doing tests to rule out all the usual "syndromes" and such which they feel will come back normal...and metabolic panels etc...There was talk of it all being related to the car accident (maybe cerebral palsy...) but the brain MRI shows no abnormalities or scarring.  The first thing I discuss with all his specialists is that I had taken hydrocodone under a doctors orders during my pregnancy.  So far, no one seems that interested in that information as they try to figure out what is wrong with him.  I take it that isn't something they think is an issue...one of the specialists I asked directly if it could be from the meds, and he said no...no reason to think that, especially with such a low dose taken under the rx given.

But what Im getting at is that I worry and worry and cry and sob over the fear I have that what my son is going through is all my fault for taking that medicine.  I know the docs all say they don't think it's that, but they haven't found an answer yet to his problems...but somewhere along the way he had a neurodevelopmental disruption, or injury (accident) or incident...(which I cannot help but wonder about the meds).  And all i'm trying to say is one of the things to consider is while the chances may be very slim anything will be wrong with your baby....if it turns out that he/she has problems either at birth or after....will you be ready to take on the potential guilt...?  The guilt just kills me sometimes...and I have said over and over "if only i could go back and just suffer through my pregnancy ..."  knowing full well he might of still turned out the same if it's not related to the meds...  But it's just been mental torture I guess...and it's something I guess you should be prepared for if something were to go wrong (wether it's related to the meds or not)

I hope that makes sense....sorry that it went so long.  It's just that in my mind, I always connect it to that med...so I guess I felt I should post this.  Again Im not saying it is related...it's just that my mind goes there and that is the only thing I can think of that if I could go back and do different I would.  And this is all so fresh in my mind because we are right in the middle of all his appointments and tests and it's heart wrenching.

[jossysmom]

Hey there, I just read your post and I wanted to tell you to hang in there and that my family will be praying for yours. Now, I know that praying may not be your thing but it sounds like you are at the point to where you'd try anything to make your son better. I'm so sorry that you are having to go through the torture of thinking that you've done something to your son that could inhibit him from being anything but the perfect little guy that you invisioned him being. I want you to know also that I'm have NO experience in the medical field but I think that you should cut yourself some slack,..I mean, even if you had taken the meds. until the day he was born, I still wouldn't believe that by you taking pain medicine as directed that it would cause devastating results on the baby. I am in no way trying to discount your feelings because they are completely valid but  I'm afraid that this could haunt you forever if you don't except that there has been a plan for your baby since before he was conceived. I hope that I haven't offended you in any way and hopefully I have made it very clear that I am sincere in my words.....