Help me please.. I need some reassurance.

[Steph0115]

I am 16 weeks pregnant and have been taking 2mg. of xanax until a few days ago when I was finally able to wean off completely. I am having horrible withdrawl but I don't want to put my baby through anymore so I will make it. I have been very honest with my obgyn who has assured me that he does not think with my dosage and no studies in humans proving birth defects that I should be fine but he is ordering me a targeted ultrasound to make sure. I just want some one else to tell me that my baby will be fine. PLEASE

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Good for you for kicking the habit!  You don't want your newborn to go through what you are going through now! Hang in there! Benzodiazepines are not recommended during pregnancy, and some of them do increase the risk for birth defects.  Xanax seems to be one of the safer ones from what I can glean from the literature.  The big problem is the newborn withdrawl, and your lucky baby won't have to go through that.
Good luck!
Dr B

[MoMMy2_Three]

Hello, I have some issues that i need a second opinon on, and seems like your the one to ask =)

I am 30weeks pregnant today and have been taking 10mg of methadone. I saw my doctor today and told him my problem and that i needed help getting off... I've have some what managed to cut my self down to 5mg a day but can't cut my self anymore than that... I took my last dose this morning, and he told me to cut my self off cold turkey.. I have been researching ALL day long as to if that was the right thing to do, and i have not yet found one forum where a Dr. has told a person to stop cold turkey specially while pregnant because it could cause fetal distress.. Im not looking forward to tomorrow morning but im willing to do the right thing for the sake of my unborn child... I guess my questions to you are..

1. Do you agree that because i was only taking a low dose, stop cold turkey would not cause stress to my child and possibly cause a miscarraige?? and
2. How long do you think the withdrawal will last??

I have read alot of forums on withdrawal's and it seems to take people weeks to withdrawal, but they were on a much higher dosage than I am, and have been on it a long time.. I haven't been taking it my whole pregnancy but im still concerned and worried.. Please reassure me.. Thanks SO much for your time....  This website is truly a blessing, that you are able to get advice from a professional...

Thanks again,
Krystal

[Steph0115]

Thank you so much for your input. I just feel really bad for not getting off sooner. I appreciate your advise and help very much and I look forward to a healthy happy baby... All I can do is hope and pray for the best... Have a great day! I do go for a targeted ultrasound on the 29th. so I will find out then what I am having and hopefully that everything is GREAT!