im 39 weeks pregnant and addicted to loratabs

Question

im 39 weeks pregnant and due any day now.i have chronic back pain and was prescribed loratabs 3 years ago. now i've been addicted to them since. i tried to stop taking them when i found out i was pregnant but the pain was to much to handle. i know its a little to much to late but i was just wondering if there have been any proven cases in which a baby has been born addicted to loratabs? because i have read that mothers have given birth to perfectly healthy babies and they took the same medication, i've been stressing about this since i found out i was pregnant and just want to know some truthful information. thanks

lovingmybabies552 · Answer

I was also told the same thing from my DR, I am 25 weeks pregnant with my second child and the baby is breach sitting very low between my hip. I have a cronic pain condition called Fibromyalgia, With the way I am carrying the baby, this makes the pain condition flair up and cause sever pain through out most of my body, I have been on Loratab 7.5 almost all of my pregnancy. My Dr said that if I were to stop taking my pain medications that I would cause more harm to my unborn baby then if I were to keep taking them. I would also not be able to take care of my very active 2 year old. I have a mother and grandparents with High blood pressure so I am at a higher sick of developing it while I am pregnant, adding the stress and all the pain I would have if I were to go off of my pain meds would increase the chance of me getting pregnancy induced high blood pressure even more. I have also done a lot of research of my own about taking Loratab while pregnant and I also have an RN for a mother and my grand mother is a CRNA and there is little risk of harming the baby taking this medication while pregnant, the only chance of risk I have found or my mom/ grand mother has found was taking it during the end of the pregnancy with in the last 2 months because the baby will be born addicted on the medication and will require help with the detox, this is a scary thing for me because if I were to go off of my medications I will be in sever pain and will not be able to function or take care of my 2 year old.

SunWorshiper_26 · Answer

I just wanted to state that not all pain medications are a problem in pregnancy. They all carry some risk yes but some more than others. I also have back problems (2 spinal fractures and a pelvic fracture) and I am nearly 26 weeks pregnant. My dr never told me to stop taking my meds instead he had me see a pain management specialist who specializes in spinal care in pregnancy. She said it was more important in my situation to take my pain meds than to not bc the stress from pain plus hypertension, high blood pressure and so much more which is our bodys natural reaction to pain. There is enough studies out there to know approx how much of an opiate is safe in pregnancy with most likely avoiding withdrawal effects in baby. For instance I am taking 5mg/500mg vicodein 2x daily and there is a very good chance that my child will not be dependent at delivery. It will also be safe for me to BF at this amount. 

I think it is a shame that your dr didn't recognize or listen to you and your problem with pain and address the issue so you wouldn't have to suffer with either pain or guilt. There was a happy compromise there. I'm so sorry that you are put in this position now. Just make sure your dr knows and the hospital staff so that they can take care of you and baby safely and properly so you both can get the best care possible. I wish you the best of luck

ammanda · Answer

I know everyones been saying this to you, but you have to make sure you let him know.  Dont worry about what he saids to you. Its not his place to judge you, his his place to take care of your son.  The sooner you tell him the sooner they can start making plans for what to do after your son is born.  he is gonna be here anytime.

and dont feel bad i couldnt breastfeed either. its not for everyone

LosingMyMindInGA · Answer

At the very least you should let the hospital staff know when you go into labor.

inkedmommy44 · Answer

i just know that my doc doesn't want to understand the condition i have. he says its all about the baby which is true, but if im in pain and stressing i know that can't be good for my baby. but no i def don't plan on bf. because i do take medication and the idea creeps me out lol.

Cassandrajane · Answer

Don't be scared... Just be honest! 
And like I said, you cause more harm at the end of pregnancy (In the last 3 months) than at the start my doc said to me the other day about Anti Depressants becuse I refused to take them. Your doc really does need to know! and say you are addicted and you  TRIED to quit but you just couldn't. As you have taken them soo long, the withdrawal you'd be having if you stopped would be more dangerous for baby I do believe (I am not 100%) but thats what I am lead to understand. 
Do you plan to BF?
x

inkedmommy44 · Answer

your right i need to tell my doc. im just scared of his reaction i guess. but i know its important for the health of my son. i take about 4 to 5 pills a day. i just hope i haven't caused any harm to him. i couldn't live with myself if i did anything

Cassandrajane · Answer

You really need to tell your doc you are still taking these, As LosingMyMind said the baby needs to be checked! My OLD step mum took Codine during pregnancy, Told her doc she stopped whhen she didnt, and never said anything after that.
My brother was born half blind and has serious with drawal, they didnt know what was wrong untill they tested him and he was put in ICU for 3 weeks. She was taking 3 tablets every 3 and a half hrs Which is overdosing...

Your doctor needs to know!

inkedmommy44 · Answer

thanks for all of your advice. well my doctor knows that i took them in the beginning of my pregnancy but he thinks i stopped. he just wouldn't listen to the reason why i was taking them and didn't understand how it was when i stopped. i know its not the right thing to do but i don't know how to stop when i have a medical reason for taking them. but im addicted because i take more then the prescribed amount. i feel horrible about taking the medication and being pregnant but every appt my doc tells me everything is going great. that the baby is right on track, strong heart beat, perfect size.

avaortega407 · Answer

my mom took them and coke,meth  and maybe even crack when she was pregnant all 9 times we all came out ok i was a twin though and my brother died at birth his lungs were not all the way formed but they say that was due to her smoking 2 packs a day who knows though i guess its diff. for every one

LosingMyMindInGA · Answer

Honestly, it can go either way.  If your ob is not aware that you are taking these it is crucial that you make him/her aware so that they can watch your baby for signs of withdrawal after birth.  Withdrawal can be mild to severe and needs to be treated immediately.  I would also suggest that you speak with your doctor about a detox program that you can join in order to overcome this addiction.  Addiction to pain killers can affect your judgment and impair your senses and it's not good to be in that state with children, especially a newborn who needs you to be your best in order to care for him/her.  Please don't take this to be be judmental as it's not meant to be.  I understand addiction and the hold it can have over people.  I smoked through my first pregnancy becuase I was addicted and could not stop.  As a result my daughter was born small due to growth restriction and oligohydramniosis (low/lack of fluid).  Even after that I was not able to quit, however 4 years later when I became pregnant again I was terrified of harming my baby again and that's all I needed in order to quit. Including that one I have gone on to have 5 healthy, normal pregnancies.  Addiction CAN be overcome, but you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to go through the process.

Cassandrajane · Answer

You're more likkely to harm the baby at the end of pregnancy than at the beggining!! Your doc should be aware of you taking theese as any medication should be assessed and noted in pregnancy. And as I am aware this is dangerous whilst pregnant. Like things like Codine the baby will come out addicted and need to be put on stuff for withdrawal before he/she becomes ill...

Does your doc know about this?

Clysta · Answer

Does your doctor know you're taking these? It can cause breathing problems, addiction and/or withdrawal symptoms. Some hospitals do drug testing routinely (mine does on every baby) and some do it only if the baby displays signs. If they do test and find this without your doctor knowing it can cause a bunch of problems. If he does know, you should be fine. Most doctors work with the patient so they can manage it and keep the child safe. ***