pregnancy and loritab

Just a question that i have been worried about. I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and taking loritab 3-4 times a day and was just informed that baby could be addicted!! I had no idea as this is the first time i've been on meds. I am on them for extreme abdominal pain that noone seems to be able to figure out. I even had my gallbladder taken out a few weeks ago to no avail. If I don't take my meds the pain is soooo bad when I eat that I just stop eating. I have lost weight but with the help of pain control have gained about 5 pounds back. I guess my question is to anybody with insight on what would be best? I am now debating just quitting the meds but then am afraid I'll lose weight again! Any advice would be helpful. This has not been easy and I cant help but feel guilt and cry all the time over this!  Thank you!

[vicki595]

Who informed you that the baby could be addicted?

[ricart70]

Hi Nichole.Have you consulted your doctor about this?This is something that should be addressed with a physician.I know that alot of babies are born opiate addicted.They know how to deal with that at the hospital.I would definitel tell the doc though before quitting.

[nichole54]

My High risk OB told me the baby could/would be addicted and he is also the one who is now prescribing them to me. I take the least amount possible. I did say I wanted to qiut but he advised against it so I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[Ann2497]

I would do what the dr advises you.  If you are taking the least amount possible I am surprised he said your baby could be addicted.  I had to take percocet when I was pregnant.  I think I took two - three 5mg tablets a day and my dr never brought up that my baby would be addicted.  In fact it never occured to me.  Any way you can reduce the amount that you are taking (with your doctors consent only)?

[nichole54]

I'm taking 3-4 5mg tablets a day I have already reduced as much as I can handle pain wise for now. It was a complete surprise to hear about the possibilty of baby being addicted! I hate the awful guilt that goes along with it. Was your baby ok?

[dominosarah]

Please just follow the advice of your OB.  If the baby would be born addicted they will know what to do.  Hopefully one of our members will be on at some point and can talk to you about this.  She really knows her stuff when it comes to this and she is pg now too.  Her name is Ashelen.  I will also send her a note so keep checking back.     sara

[Ann2497]

Yes my baby was fine but the main difference was that I didn't take the pills every day from day one of the pregnancy to the last day.  I started taking the percocet mid pregnancy and stopped taking it in the 8th month.  However, my dr never once brought up addiction.  Have you googled lortab and pregancy to see what comes up?  I would get a second opinion on the addiction part.  Find out for sure if there is a possibility that the baby will be addicted.  Feeling guilty the rest of your pregnancy will not be good for you.  Being pregnant and in pain is hard enough.  Or, you could press your dr on the issue.  Ask him if he knows of others taking the same amount you take and what symptoms of addiction their babies had.  Let us know what happens.  Everyone here is here to help you.  Blessings

[nichole54]

Thank You sara! I just wish after all the tests I've been thru they knew what was wrong and how to fix it. It's hard to feel so selfish and feel like you're putting yourself before baby.

[nichole54]

Everytime I google it all I see is horror storys about moms being addicted to drugs so I quit looking. luckily I found this site. Thank you so much.

[Ann2497]

Best not to read horror stories.  See what your doctor says.  I hope you find out whats causing your pain.

[Ann2497]

Ok I found out some info on Lortab

"For pregnancy Lortab is Category C:  It is not known whether Lortab is harmful to an unborn baby but it could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn."

[nichole54]

Thats what my OB said. Unfortunatly it doesn't give a "safe" or safer dose to take. I'm glad your baby was healthy! I will be talking to my OB about outcomes of other moms in same position to hopefully get some better news then "your baby will be addicted". I really appreciate your time in helping with this Ann2497. It means alot.

[Ann2497]

No problem Nichole - my pleasure.  Glad to help.  It is helping me stay clean to help others.  I had a bad day today.  Have you just started Lortab?  I hope you don't have to stay on it for too long.  It is terrible to get addicted to this drug.  When is your baby due?

[adgal]

HI there.  I am actually the CL of one of the Pregnancy forums and don't usually post here, but Dominosarah asked me if I could come over and chime in, so I hope no one minds.

First off, rule no. 1 of pregnancy my dear..."Thou shalt not google".  What happens is you only find the absolute horror stories and worst case scenarios that are rarely the case.

You have real pain.  And it's chronic.  To not have it treated is not in your best interest, and if that is the case, then it's not in your babies best interest.  So many women sadly deal with pain, and have no choice but to stay on pain meds throughout a pregnancy.  And you know what?  The babies are born healthy and happy.  

You need to be completely open and honest with your Dr. about what you are taking and how much.  To quit cold turkey is not what is best for your child, or for you.  If both the Dr. you are seeing for the pain, and your OB know exactly what is going on, then they can work with you to both make sure you stay healthy and happy, and that your baby does too. Is it possible your baby may have to deal with some withdrawals at birth?  Yes, it's possible.  However, I promise you that because they know ahead of time, your baby will not suffer.  By telling them what and how much you are taking, they can make sure your baby is well taken care of.  So please, try not to worry too much.  This is manageable and both of you can do just fine.  

If this is an abuse of meds situation (and trust me, I am not accusing you nor am I judging you), it becomes even more important to be honest with your Drs.  I know that many women who find themselves in this situation are afraid, and honestly, there is no reason to be.  In my real life I work in social services, and they don't just take babies away from mom's who are being upfront and working on the situation.

So either way, you need to work with your Dr.s'  I know your afraid.  But please do not quit cold turkey, nor even attempt a taper on your own.  THere are so many options out there for either scenario.

You know what though?  Regardless of the situation, you are already showing what  great mom you are.  You are already thinking of your child first, and even willing to be in agony to take care of your child.  Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way. Congrats on your pregnancy. It always makes me so happy to see a baby coming into the world to a mom who is clearly going to do a great job!!  And remember, and important part of taking care of baby is taking care of mom too!  All the best to you.

[Ashelen]

I only have a moment to chime in right now

but since Sara asked me to stop by I wanted to drop in and reassure you. I agree with Adgal...she gave some great info and advice.

I had to take morphine and tylenol #3 when I was pregnant with my daughter - I had kidney stones. I ended up having surgery at 34wks and began to taper off of my medicine after the surgery. By about 37wks I didn't take any more medicine and despite having to take such strong medicines in high doses, my daughter was born full term, healthy, happy, and is a VERY bright 3-year-old now.

I also had to take vicodin and percocet when I was pregnant with my son for a few reasons (including a severe back injury at 15wks)....I was not able to taper off near the end with him but even though i was taking percocet regularly before his delivery, he had NO dependence issues whatsoever, NO breathing issues, and was born with a great APGAR score and healthy and happy. he, too, is bright and a very adventurous 15-month-old now.

I am pregnant now with #3 and I have to occasionally take vicodin for head and back pains, and this baby is growing right on target and seems to be very healthy so far!

The key here is for you to work VERY closely with your OB and healthcare team. your OB needs to know EVERYTHING you feel, everything you take, and as you get closer to your delivery date you need to be in constant communication. THIS is how healthy babies are born to mothers who have to take pain medicine.

I also see a high-risk OB and had to when I was pregnant with my son as well (because I have to take heart medicine), and he monitors the baby closely using high-resolution 3D ultrasounds to monitor growth and movement to make sure that no excessive amounts of the medicine seem to be passing over and affecting baby (no lethargy, no decreased movement or activity, all reflexes developing normally, etc) and he will continue to be a part of my team through delivery.

He says that a small dose of vicodin, taken responsibly, is safer than ibuprofen in many cases because while vicodin can cause dependence and slow breathing in the baby after delivery, it is NOT known (after generations of babies born to mothers taking these medicines) to cause any sorts of deformities, defects, or developmental delays. The reason it is category C is because they are simply unable to perform fetal testing on humans..that is the ONLY reason it is still category C.

they just don't know how the mechanism of the narcotic passing across the placenta to the baby works...they know that it DOES cross the blood barrier through the placenta and enters the baby, but it appears to pass more or less to some baby/mother combos. For instance, my son did not appear to receive more than a minimal amount of the percocet I was taking because he had no dependence whatsoever despite long-term usage during the pregnancy and high doses. My high-risk OB speculated that this is because I always have very large placentas that work extra efficiently as filters...but who knows!

even if your baby does seem to be getting a large amount of the medicine and is born dependent (which is not how it turns out in a majority of the cases, believe it or not) there are ways for them to care for them after birth.

the reality is....less is best. the least narcotics you can take (the least of ANY medicine) is going to be best for the baby. but pregnancy is about the symbiotic bond between mother and baby...the mother nourishes the baby, and receives hormonal "bonuses" in return that prepare her for motherhood....so what affects you, affects baby. so sometimes it's just not possible to not have medicine...and if you are working closely with your OB, being monitored, being HONEST, and doing the best you can...you and baby will both be fine.

[Ashelen]

hahaha for "only having a moment to chime in" i sure go on!

[dominosarah]

Thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart for your great advice~~~

[nichole54]

I can't thnak you all enough! I have been in close contact with all of my doctors and before I start any meds it goes thru my OB. Since I am pregnant my OB is the one prescribing the loritab and I am on the lowest does that I can handle for pain relief. I totally understand your concerns about addictions but can assure you this isn't the case. Unfortunatley they have no idea what is causing such severe pain. I even had my gallbladder removed in hopes that was the answer. It wasn't so now back to square one.

I am so happy I found this site! To hear that I am not the only one and other babies were born healthy and happy makes it so much easier to take. Ashelen and adgal you have helped me more than you can ever know! Thank you so much for you kindness and time in my time of sadness.

[nichole54]

Ann2497 so sorry you're having a bad day. I for one am thankful for people like you! My baby is due on Feb 5. This is number # and hopefully a bit smaller as my 2nd a girl was 10 pounds 2 ounces. Here is to better days for you and I truely wish you the best!!

[Ann2497]

Hi Nichole - Thanks - Today is a much better day than yesterday.  In recovery you just have bad days every now and then - it is to be expected.  It is certainly better than using.  I can't believe you had a 10lb baby girl!  I do hope this one is smaller.  I am sure your baby will be happy and healthy.  You sound like you are a very caring mother.  Keep us updated on how your pregnancy goes.

[Kendraerika]

I'm going through a simular situation. I'm 9 wks and going off pain meds I've been on for a year. The withdrawals are horrible, and magnified when you are pregnant. I can't rest sleep and I'm in pain. Dr says it's ok to take but you have to get off them before the baby is born, our the baby will go through withdrawals. I knower this is not encouraging, but from someone going through it, I can say you don't and do not want your child going thorough this. Take the minimum so that you can eat a couple times a day, but if you can, try not to tasker them. Try taking half even. I wish I would hasn't never been in them while pregnant

[dominosarah]

You are staying in close contact with your OB right?

Adgal and Ashelen are the best arent they!  We are so grateful to have those girls help out.

[overopiates]

CHECK PM

[adgal]

I'm sorry, I just want to jump in here again.  Kendraerika, are you withdrawing based on your Dr.'s advice?  What I mean is, are you going by his/her schedule, or are you doing this on your own?  If you want to get off the meds completely and are able to do so, that is great.  However, might I recommend a Dr. who specializes in doing this?  I know I cannot speak from experience, except through work where I get many of the moms we work with going through this.  So I have seen a little of how hard this process is at the best of times.  But while pregnant, withdrawing is quite tricky and it is imperative it be done properly, and with very strict medical supervision.  To go from a full dose to half overnight is not in the babies best interest.  I am not trying to frighten you, just trying to look out for you.  And again, I commend you. Another mother to be thinking of her child first.  It's wonderful.  Just please make sure this is being done properly.  I wish you all the best.

[nichole54]

I am in very close contact with my OB. The only reason I hesitate to go off completely is if I do then I would not be able to eat or drink at all and I am already underweight for baby.

They really are very helpful thank you for steering adgal my way!

[nichole54]

I'm new here not sure what you mean?

Sorry

[Ann2497]

I think she wants you to check your personal email box.

[Kendraerika]

Yes, my dr knows. Said I could either go cold turkey or taper and baby would be fine. Thankfully I was already tapering before i got pregnant because we wanted another baby... Just happened to get pregnant before we were even trying. I still tapered as my maternal instincts told me to. 25 1/2 hours with out with minimal wd, more lack of energy a little anxiety, some depression, and lack of motivation. Feels worse then I'm describing, but I know it could be a million times worse. Good luck if you have to be on these, im thankful that my pain levels have been way down since I've become pregnant.

[Ashelen]

I'm glad you tapered, and I'm also glad your pain levels have gone down - that's fantastic! Make sure that you let your doctor know if the withdrawals get too severe, you do NOT want to be in full-blown-jumping-out-of-your-skin withdrawals while pregnant, so a slower taper may be the solution if that happens..it's vital you pay attention to your body's warning signs.

But if all goes well, and I pray it does, hopefully in a few days your body will be clean and on the way to healing with little bub happy as a clam.

[Ashelen]

If you want to send me a private message or ask me about my experiences with the lortab during pregnancy I'd be happy to share.

For now, I would at least recommend asking your doctor to switch you from "lortab" to "norco". It's the exact same narcotic - hydrocodone, but it contains a smaller amount of the tylenol....which is definitely safer during pregnancy. For instance since you're on the 5mg lortabs, my guess would be that your script is for the 5/500's...which means 5mg hydrocodone, 500mg tylenol. But the norco is 5mg hydrocodone, 325mg tylenol. It has the same painkilling effects but it's much easier on you and baby's liver!

Again please feel free to contact me and ask any questions you want - I've been where you are, I know the guilt and fear well, and I've come through it on the other side twice. It's not a great place for a mom to be, and self-doubt is unfortunately a part of the process....but you ARE quite capable of having a very healthy, very happy baby while also taking care of yourself.

-Ashe