vicodin while 16 weeks

[newmoma]

i would love to hear your opinions...i'm occasionally taking vicodin for migraines during my pregnancy. i would say so far while pregnant (i'm 16 weeks today), i've taken a total of 15 mg...3 halves on 3 seperate occassions...is there any possibility my baby could be addicted/harmed from this? i'm constantly hearing women prescribed the medication for no more than 30 days...any advice you could give would be much appreciated.

[phoenix_risen]

Hi, I can answer that question, I know it was an old question post, but in case anyone else needs to know. I had a cervical fusion surgery done about two weeks before I became preg., and I have nerve damage (the surgery was to help this) that I'm still recovering from, so my o.b. has had me on vicodin 4/day since my second trimester. My o.b. said that they don't really use the fda categories anymore, but instead look specifically at the test results and past history of any complications caused by vicodin. Also, any meds that have not had human testing are automatically placed on the category c list, regardless. Vicodin is safe, my o.b. said I need to taper off it during my third trimester (so the baby is not born addicted). Tapering is important to do during preg., instead of stopping cold, because withdrawal can cause your bloodpressure and heartrate to increase, as well as potentially dangerous swings in mood, and sleeping problems, caused by the serotonin decrease that happens when you suddenly stop taking vicodin. Please note, besides o.b.'s, most docs do not know what is safe during preg, and will prefer to prescribe nothing or stick to the fda categories for legal protection, if an o.b.'s opinion is not available.

[alaysha]

Yeah my doctor said it was fine to take as well. Just try not to take it too often at the very end of your pregnancy.

[April1113]

I had to take it when I was 8 weeks due to really bad bronchitis.  The docs told me that it would not harm the baby.  I didnt take much of it, I worried too, but the doctor said it was perfectly safe to take.