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drug testing in newborns

Please anyone with negative comments dont respond. just need help. I was in a bad car accident a few years ago and therefore got addicted to pain killers. i have moderatly used them throughout my pregnancy and am now 35 weeks and dont know how to tell my dr with fear of losing my child. i have recently quit taking the pills. can they still detect the drug in me or my babies meconium?
29 Responses
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Avatar universal
Did they Drug test her?
Helpful - 0
1922620 tn?1322711474
hey im 21 weeks pregnant and i am addicted to suboxone also. im so scared that if i quit it will harm my baby boy. i also havent told my doctor about this addiction and im planning on telling him when i go to the doctor next week. i dont wont my baby taken away from me so i need to do this. so i know where your coming from.
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1012334 tn?1283702979
congratulations! I'm glad you and your baby both made through this difficult problem healthy! Good for you! and glad your baby is doing good!
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1035252 tn?1427227833
Congrats sweetie...I couldn't be happier for you. You should be so proud of what you did and proud of the little miracle that will bring joy to your life every day as long as you live <3.
Helpful - 0
1102290 tn?1278499953
Wonderful to hear it!!! Congrats
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Avatar universal
so its been quite awhile since ive posted...busy with the little one..but everything went well with labor and baby was great. no withdrawls and no problems whatsoever...we are doing fantastic these days..thanks to all for your help through my problems!!
Helpful - 0
906115 tn?1344200509
I had to look back on this post and I am so gald for you and may you always be reminded of the love and strength you had for your little boy (right?) to quit and tell your doctors!

May you be a hero to any in the same situation that it is just getting past telling and all can be fine.

Can't wait to hear how you and the baby are after the happy birth:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thank you very much. it took a lot but i knew that in the long run it was better for both my child and i to just be honest. Its so hard when you dont ask for the addiction but something tragic happens to you and then it comes with it. and ive fought it for a long time but i think recently knowing that im becoming a mother has really changed my perspective on the things i choose to do in life. because not only now does it affect me it affects my child as well. so it feels sooo good to be at this point now..and really it took support from other ppl as well to help me have the courage to just speak up! and look it turned out better than i thought it would! now just cant wait to get this pregnancy over with 36 weeks today soo ready to have my body back! thank you
Helpful - 0
1035252 tn?1427227833
Way to go!!! You've made the first big sacrifice for your baby that a lot of women with addictions can't make....you should be so proud of yourself.. I"m proud of you, and I don't even know you!!!
Helpful - 0
1039620 tn?1272594004
That's wonderful news! I am so glad you doctor was supportive. You are doing great and I know you will have continued success.
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1012334 tn?1283702979
I'm glad your doctor was understanding and made you feel comfortable that is what a doctor should do! I hope everything goes good for you and your baby! congratulations!!!
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Avatar universal
so went to the dr today and let them know whats been going on and they were way more understanding of my situation than i thought. she said that being that id been in such a major car accident that on top of pregnancy pains it would be a lot harder for me and could understand what had happend. and were totally ok with the pill thing being that they were my perscriptions from the past. she even wrote me a small script incase i needed it these next few weeks. but since ive done so well im going to try and fight through it and not take them unless its a dire situation. feel so relieved that everything is out in the open. i still thank everyone for your support and will continue to post how things are going and when i have him how hes doing! thanks again
Helpful - 0
212720 tn?1304375415
We are all so proud of you! Please keep us updated on your progress. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you all again...6th day no pills and im really happy. a little nervous to talk to my dr but im just staying positive that all will go well..its so hard when you see so many different drs..hard to tell who you really feel comfertable telling ya know. but i have faith that being honest will be better in the long run! but having positive ppl has really helped me as well
Helpful - 0
800427 tn?1324945719
Congratulations, we're all very proud of you!! you will make a great mother :)
Helpful - 0
202436 tn?1326474333
Good luck and congrats on the pregnancy and the 5 days no pills.  It's always hard to kick an addiction but once you do you will have this overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment.  I know, I quit smoking after almost 13 years, I quit Cold Turkey!!  That was december 2000 and I havent' had a single one since.  Good luck, stay positive and stay focused on why you are trying so hard to do this!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
so i have been 5 days now with no pills and feel fantastic..so glad i made the decision. now i have an appt tues and will tell my drs so theres no suprise. thank you all for your support! i appreciate it
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
Sorry, needed to clarify my comment above...baby may not experience withdrawals at birth if she stops now, but could very well experience wd's now.  Lol, pregnancy brain taking over for me.....
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
Chances are you are right about the baby not experiencing withdrawals if she stops now.  The only challenge I have with that is that we do not know exactly what or how much she is taking.  For someone addicted to drugs (be it prescription or street drugs) quitting cold turkey while pregnant can be quite dangerous.  Adults can go through serious withdrawals when quitting, so for a fetus, it is incredibly hard on them.  That's why I said that...it is fantastic she wants to quit and that needs to be supported 100%.  It just should be done under medical supervision.  It can be quite dangerous.  And I also have to agree with JoyRenee....most times (again,at least where I live) they are going to try to help you.  They typically will only seperate babies from mom if mom is not trying to get help or baby is going into a dangerous situation.  I really think this story could have a happy ending.  I know it's hard, but addiction can be beat!!  You can do it!!!
Helpful - 0
1158221 tn?1327972603
I am not passing judgement but as a woman who just had a miscarriage please do what is best for your child and get help.  I dream of having a little one I can care for but God has other plans for me right now....please don't start taking the pills again, and tell the doctor you need some help and they will be sure to get you the support you need.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
They aren't going to take your baby away- they're going to want to help you. If you try to hide it and they find baby is showing signs of withdrawal then they will assume you are a drug abuser. So be up front with your doctor! Good luck!
Helpful - 0
1035252 tn?1427227833
I agree with the other ladies you 100% need to tell your doctor so they can be aware of the situation going into labor and delivery. However I do not agree that it will cause withdrawals at birth at this point. Unless you deliver in the next 2 weeks, you and the baby will most likely have it completely out of your system by the time you deliver, if you deliver (like most women with their first) at around 40 weeks. They actually recommend you avoid taking ANY medication past 34-35 weeks (my OB even recommended not taking Tylenol, LOL) so that the baby's system is clean and unmedicated when you deliver, because you never know how close to 35wks you could deliver...I took heavy painkillers for kidney stones at 33-34wks but decided voluntarily to stop taking them at 34wks "just in case" I delivered early. The pain was agonizing and I passed 2 of the stones without any medicine, but it was a good decision, and when I delivered at 40 weeks my daughter was completely alert, no withdrawal, no breathing problems....of course I didn't have a long-term problem, but the idea is the same. 5wks should be enough for the baby to be clear-headed for delivery.

Anyway...you're doing the right thing. It's never too late to make the right decision for your baby as long as you're both alive, and I personally think from experience that your baby will be absolutely fine when you deliver (although again, I did not use painkillers regularly throughout my pregnancy, only when I had kidney stones, which was twice, and occasionally when I had a bad migraine and received a shot from the doctor so it may be different but I doubt it). You should definitely be honest with your doctor, and the first step to healing addiction (my mom's an alcoholic) is admitting to health professionals that you HAVE one so they can be aware and not provide you with a method to restart your addiction (such as over-prescribing pain killers and causing a relapse).

I think your baby will be fine, and while they may test the baby when it's born to be safe once you tell them about taking the pills, I do not think they will prosecute or that you will get in trouble because clearly you made the right choice and took steps to be responsible. Congrats on the little one...here's hoping you deliver at 40wks!! :)
Helpful - 0
906115 tn?1344200509
You reallt need to tell them and "adgal" is right on! It is very important that they know so they can watch the baby. THey will want to keep the baby another night or two I would think. Also if you tell them and go get help on your own they will not take the baby away but if you are not in some program before to help you even with support then they will worry you are not off them and make a decision that will be negative. You need to do something befor ethe baby is born! Also if you do not tell them and they give you any pain meds during or after it can hurt you and you could get back on them and then were would you be with a new baby? There is alot to consider! My sister is a foster mom and lots of drug addicted babies will have trouble breathing at first depending on the drug so they need to know!!! They could loose the baby if they do not know exacttly why they are not breathing!
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
I have a fair amount of experience in this area as I work with addicts hands on.  I will tell you that yes, it is quite likely your baby will show signs of withdrawal at birth.  It is exceedingly important that your Dr. and the hospital staff know in advance that this is a possibility so that they are prepared.  As Quinnsmomma said, this is the responsible thing to do.  Now I live in Canada, so it might be a bit different here, but I can also tell you that they never WANT to have to take the baby away.  If you are honest and up front and are working on getting off of the pills (an addiction program or such), they will usually try to keep the family intact.  Addiction is very real and a very very difficult thing to overcome.  By being honest about it, you have taken that first step.  You may be surprised and find that you are offered the help and services you need to assist you in trying to get off of them.  Most medical professionals won't judge, they will try to help.  But again, for the health and safety of your baby, it is important you let them know.  If you are currently trying to get off of them, please do not do it on your own, or just stop cold turkey.  That too can have very negative consequences.  Reach out for help.  It's the best thing you can do for your baby and yourself.  I truly wish you well.  You can beat this!!!!
Helpful - 0
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