pregent and on methadone

Well I just found out that I am 3 weeks pregnant and unfortunately have been addicted to methadone for around 3 years now. I am very concerned about the health of my baby, I've done some research but would like to hear others opinions. (and please no bashing, i know its wrong and i didn't plan it) Plus I'm not going through a methadone clinic so not sure how the doctor will handle that aspect (though my main concern is the child). Basically I would like to know the long term effects on my child, what should I expect during the pregnancy and after birth? I've read the baby will need to stay in the hospital through withdraws, some places I read a couple weeks and some up to 60 days. Should I try to quit now or will that be hard on the fetus?

I appreciate any input, I'm very scared and don't believe in abortion but am considering it.... very last resort though. So please don't push me in that way, I need information. Thank you very much in advance

[avisg]

The most important thing it to talk about this with your obgyn they will be able to help you make the best desions for the both you and the baby .Tapering will be probably what be the doctor reomends .It so very important that you do this with your doctor .We will be here to support you the whole way .You and your baby will be OK...
Just take the best care of you that you can and be 100 % honest with your doctor .

[robert_325]

I agree obviously get with your OBGYN.  You won't be the first methadone-dependent patient they've experienced.  I think that you'll find the dr says to ride it out with the methadone controlled and the baby will be fine, able to be tapered off very slowly and painlessly.  It is a safe procedure, more than stopping the methadone or at least that is what I expect you to hear from the dr.

[dominosarah]

Please talk with your OB.  They will be able to help you with a plan.  All the best     sara

[linda749]

I have been lurking here for about 3 weeks reading and this post is the one that convinced me to join. Of course, you need to speak to your doctor, but I can tell you, you are worried needlessly. Women are actually encouraged to stay the course while on methadone and pregnant now. Of course, you have to get to the lowest dose possible, then stick with that dose. You should be comfortable but not high. In the old days, the medical community would have women withdraw until they realized there was WAY less stress on the mother AND baby just staying on a reasonably low dosage, the same dose every day. Don't think of abortion, don't worry too much (easier said than done, I'm sure). The worst case scenario is that the baby is born with an addiction (not necessarily the case). If so, hospitals are well trained to deal with that and 60 days sounds like an awfully high number of days the baby would need to be in hospital no matter what. I wish you the very best with the baby. Don't worry. They deal with this on a daily basis.

[leeisgettingclean]

u have to be honest with your doc. the baby will b born with the drug in his//her system and they will know anyways. parhaps you should go to the clinic and get a legal script so you have a legit reason for having methadone in your system, if not you might get into some kind of trouble. I agree that staying on the methadone might be best for you and baby, but only if its legal

[linda749]

After reading lee's post about it being legal, I read back to the original post. The fact the methadone is bought off the street complicates things a bit. Most doctors definitely think it's better to stay on then get off and stress the fetus with a detox. However, at 3 weeks pregnant, maybe the doctor would suggest a taper. (You never mentioned how much you were taking) Or else, you would need to get on a clinic to get the methadone legally, at least during your pregnancy. Either way, you will have to go through your OBgyn. Do it NOW. Don't delay and make it harder. Get on a plan whether taper or maintenance right away for the sake of the baby.

[just1kiwi]

hey there, i had a friend on methadone, she had her baby, she was on it legit thru a clinic tho, thats a worry i reckon.
but her baby was only in the prem ward a couple of days, and if he showed any discomfort they give them teeny tiny doses or morphine. but breastfeeding will be ok too, coz he will still get some thru that.
now the youngulla is a handsome healthy boy, so please dont stress out so much. they do have ways around these things these days. i would check out if you can get on a program tho, pregnant women are usually given priority, that way your supply is guaranteed if ya know what i mean.
good luck
just1kiwi

been on methadone also, now on subs.

[gnarly_1]

hey girlee  well you got yourself in a bit of a jam...first off you need to get a hold of your
obgyn and let them know the situation ...they will decide what is the safest rout to take
also you need to get to a methadone clinic and get a legal script for methadone...
this in itself might be tricky being pregnant most clinics are funny about that.but you do have the fact that your all ready on the stuff and a urine test could show that so they might just let you go on it legaly...as for your baby if the doctor dosent taper you off it
im personal friends with a neo/natal nurse that brings babys off heroin ,methadone ,oxy. ext...she is very compassionate and only has the babys interest at heart they dont judge the mother...she actualy gave me the formula used to bring babys off and I personally used it to get myself off methadone...the taper goes 10% drop in dose every 72 hr so if your baby is born addicted they will get him/her off in a humain way
right now you need to work on getting on it leagaly to avoid trouble with cps when you deliver...be honest with your dr as well as the hospital...jenny says they have a much harder time with the moms that try to hide it...then there stuck treating a baby thats in withdrawals rather then treating one to keep that from happening...just know there are ways to deal with it eather by weening you off b/4 delivery or dealing with it after
good luck with your situation and god bless you and your baby.....Gnarly    

[Silvereyes]

Not only do you want to talk to your ob/gyn but I would go to the methadone clinic and talk to them!!  I know alot of women that were pregnant and went to the methadone clinic...