Pregnant & on Methadone "Detoxing Safe??"

Question

Im 18 wks pregnant and my mom has found this ONLY hospitaL that detoxs pregnant women from methadone and im very worried,scared to do it that my baby will die so I really need a doctors opinion

amanda0613 · Answer

I had my son on 180mgs of methadone and he came out completely healthy. Seven pounds 9 ounces and 20 inches long.when I first became pregnant I was on 80 milligrams and throughout my pregnancy they kept increasing me because they said it was better for me and my child because on methadone while pregnant you snd your child split it so it has to be increase. If i not you can cause future birth defect and potentially miscarriage that's what my clinic and my OB told me. Now I was willing to do anything and wanted to do everything that the doctors and my clinic told me because prior to that I had 5 miscarriages so I thought if I listened to my doctor and the clinic that everything would be fine  and it was I had a healthy birth but I can tell you one thing it was hell watching my baby for 18 days go through withdrawal symptoms while the nurses came and gave him oral morphine to detox him, I stayed the entire 18 days with him and watched him go through this. now I'm not telling you to go up or down on your methadone but if I had a chance to do it all over again I would at least go down 2 milligrams a week because then you have to watch your child scream and vomit and have diarrhea and chills it's scary everyday I pray that he would be ok for the next day and I couldn't help thinking that if I would have came down on my methadone the easier it would have been for him. My son was born Jun 13 2014 he passed away July 22nd 2014 from what they say is SIDS but I can't help thinking that if I would have came off of Methadone or atleast came down he would still be here today.I cry everyday for himI'm in so much pain because I thinkif I would have chose to followed my instincts he would still be here today.no doctor or your clinic can tell you what you think is right for your baby.

TashaM1630 · Answer

1st things 1st huni is do you feel ready to be brought off completely? There are many risks and although ur mum is maybe thinking in the long run its for the best darlin but you really have to be sure that you are ready? No 1 else can m,ake these decisions for you sweetheart. I have friend who have had babies on methadone and both their babies left hospital in 5days ive never heard of a baby leaving hosp in 3days bcoz i know in scotland baby has 2 be observated for 5days and if all ok they get home. The reason for the 5 days is that your baby can be fine for 1st few days but 4th and 5th are worst for them as if there is going to be withdrawal then this is when it most likely to show the same as yourself would be? But not 4 all some babies come out severly withdrawing str8 away. But aslong as you are stable and not using any illicit other drugs ur baby will be stable when born but if you do not feel ready then stay on your methadone and try maybe reducing slowly its not a rush and afterall you have to do whats best i know my friends reduced but didnt come off completely and remember aftyer hjaving a baby is fantastic but also can be very stressful so u need to think of that how u wioll be if you were off completely its alot to do and you have your birth and things to worry of as long as you are steady and feel ok on ur methadone then ur baby will be fine but please do not let any1 make ur decisions dettoxing can be worth it but in some ways you are far safer to stay on ur methadone until after baby is born and you are on your feet bcoz i know my friend now is off everythiong but doctors wanted her 2 wait until baby was 6months in fear of stress for relapsing etc!! Do wot isd best for you hunni good luck x

PetiteWonder · Answer

I am not an expert on this at all but I know that Methadone is a common treatment of opiate addictions (as has been said in order to control withdrawal symptoms and prevent relaspe).  With that said, its a very serious drug and its not easy to detox off of it especially after long term use.  You cant quit methadone cold turkey.  I remember a lady who was detoxing off methadone and it was going to be a 2 year process, where the dose is periodically reduced over a very extended period of time.  

Methadone scares me.  It helps alot of people.. but I have seen 3-4 people (work in a homeless shelter) over a 6 month period, overdose on their methadone.  One lady was in a coma for 4 days.  Generally it involved the mixing of methadone and clonazapma but seirously scary stuff.!  Methadone is actually becoming quite the dangerous street drug and it is very very dangerous if taken when it is not prescribed to you but the use of it in this way is on the rise.

THe people who run a detox program for pregnant women are goign to be education around the process..  It doenst mean it will be the right program for you.  You need to talk to them about the process, what to expect, what are the risk. .and most importantly, include your doctor in this discussion as he will know you situation better (this includes your OB and the doctor who is prescribing you the methadone to start)

skysmama94 · Answer

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and on 40 mgs of Methadone per day.  I have been on Methadone for approx. 8 years, but have been on a taper since February.  This was a surprise pregnancy.  When I became pregnant, my doctor immediately stopped the taper and told me to stay where I am at.  The original plan was for me to re-start the taper at 20 weeks as the 2nd trimester is the best time to quit if you are going to.  Then she sent me for a 2nd opinion to a perinatologist and that doctor said no way.  She said that the instance of stillbirth and fetal demise was way too high as well as preterm labor and fetal distress.  If you are feeling withdrawal, then your baby is feeling withdrawal.  You may even have to go up.  I was at 20 mgs when I got pregnant and am up to 40 mgs.  The reason you may have to go up is because your blood volume increases during pregnancy and the drug does not work as well.  I have 3 children - 2 were born while I was on methadone.  My 3 and 2 year old both came home with me within 3 days.  You will have to have your baby in a hospital with a NICU just incase they are born with withdrawal symptoms.  My previous 2 babies had none at all.  No crying, no sleeplessness, no lack of weight gain, poor suck reflex, none of it.  Your baby will be observed in the NICU for 72 hours - this is what my doctor says anyway.  Then you go home if there are no problems.  The baby gets only 3 percent of what you are taking.  She said she has seen some babies have problems when mothers are on only 30 or 40 mgs, and some babies go home whose mothers are on 150 mgs, so it just depends.  Feel free to email me if you want.  :o)  There is a great website you can google called moms on methadone - I'm sure that would help you too.  Best Wishes.

vacuumprincess · Answer

KatieBug, Have you been able to gather any research from the hospital.  Have they told you anything???  Perhaps you could speak to other mothers that had this detox done while pregnant.  

Ashleen:  I don't think you hijacked the post, as you stayed on topic.   any information on this matter would be benificial.  Obviously, any of us could be in KatieBugs shoes right now.

Ashelen · Answer

I think it's used for pain in a lot of cases but it's also used to "control" addiction..like suboxene. I don't have personal experience with either of the two drugs but I ran across them researching in my college classes....it doesn't seem fair at all but from what I understand, methadone lasts longer so for someone with severe chronic pain it can be a good control medicine...and for the same reason, it controls opiate addiction and blocks the opiate nerve receptors so someone who took methadone would not only NOT get high if they took another opiate, they would get very sick..so it's a good deterrent.

because of how long it lasts in the system I remember reading that the detox is very long and uncomfortable...but it can be done. it does seem unfair that they prescribe it knowing what it will cause...but at the same time, if you have severe chronic pain I guess it's a good option.


katiebugg:: sorry to hijack the post sweetie, like princess said best wishes for you and the baby and I hope that you have people who are there to help you whatever you decide.

vacuumprincess · Answer

why the heck is methadone an RX???   I have heard about MANY people having to go through detox for this, but I wasn't quite sure what it was.  Why would this be prescribed?  These poor people.  Life is hard enough without this...  

Katiebugg, I hope this was a perscription for you, as maybe it may be harder for you get in the future.  I really hope you have a good support system & you are able to overcome this.  best wishes to you and your baby.

Ashelen · Answer

methadone is an Rx that is sometimes sold as a street drug...frequently actually.

the problem is that detoxing while pregnant can cause miscarriage/stillbirth if not done correctly...and while doing it under the care of a medical professional makes it safer it doesn't make it 100%. that's why it's a very tough decision but I do agree that the consequences of addiction may be worse...but you can always detox after birth.

either way, your doctor will be your best reference as to whether this is safe/a good idea or not.

vacuumprincess · Answer

in kinda ignorant here... is Methadone a street drug or Rx drug???  

Either way I'm worried that NEITHER of you are safe if you are addicted.  You definately need more opinions, but Think of the consequences for you BOTH if you can't overcome this without help.  Good luck & best wishes!

Ashelen · Answer

I'm sorry sweetie there are no doctors here...You need to consult with YOUR Ob...he/she is the only one who can tell you if this is a good idea for you. Just because there is an available program doesn't mean it's the right one for you, but it may be....you need to speak to YOUR doctor about this.