suboxone and 23 weeks pregnant

[rach7617]

so ive been taking suboxone (illegally, not my rx) for about 22 months now. I found out i was pregnant and talked to family and friends and looked online at many many websites. Everything i heard/read said sub was ok for a fetus because the liklehood of withdrawals after being born were minimal. but that if i quit while pregnant there was a huge risk of miscarriage. I was terribly afraid to tell my dr so i didnt since everything i read said it should be ok. now im 23 weeks pregnant and worrying myself sick. im worried about my labor. the dr doesnt know i take subs so what will i do for pain/epidural(subs block any kind of narcotic medicine) or if i have to have a c section? so i really really really wanna tell my dr now and not risk anything bad happening in labor, but ive been doing subs while knowingly pregnant for at least 15-17 weeks, i know he will probably call dcs and i can handle that ive done wrong so i should be turned in but will they take my baby? I can handle dcs over my head for a while but i cant handle losing my first child i love him so much already. normally i would tell dr no worries but because ive subjected my baby to this medicine for 15+ weeks what will happen? Im scared to death please help

[Mommy2BExxx]

Suboxone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Suboxone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Use of this medication during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in a newborn baby. Do not take Suboxone if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Buprenorphine and naloxone pass into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.

[rach7617]

i wanted to give everyone that cares an update! I told my dr he of course said i shouldve told him sooner but better late then never,,, he has no obligation to call dcs which i found weird but should anything later arise dcs has the right to see my file at the drs office... the dr adviced that i see an addiction specialist to be prescribed subutex which i did recently and everything is going great... my baby will be ok. ill get to keep him because im doing the right thing, i still feel extra guilty because i put my unborn child thru this but im trying to do better before he physically gets here.. thanks for all the advice and comments....

[rach7617]

you've made me feel amazing about my decision to tell my dr. thank u so much for ur positive feedback. im so glad this website doesnt bash others. thank you for ur honesty and knowledge. you have a talent in helping others feel better.. thank u so much god bless!!!

[Ashelen]

Well it is used to treat addiction buggie but it is also abused because of it's opiate chemical base...so unfortunately it's usually viewed the same way from a medical standpoint as far as abuse and taking it illegally.

BUT with that said...I'm proud of you deciding to tell your doctor Rach. I spend a lot of time on the Addiction:Substance Abuse forum here on MedHelp giving advice to mommies who are addicted (I've never had addiction problems but I've been prescribed medications during pregnancy and understand a lot of the risks) and I have NEVER seen a story end poorly when a mommy is up front and honest with her OB about her drug usage, even when the usage is illegal and in some cases very dangerous....the only time I have ever seen a woman lose her baby is when she conceals the drug use, baby tests positive after delivery, and CPS has to step in.

What will most likely happen - this is at your doctor's discretion - is that CPS will be notified and you will be paired with a social worker. They will discuss ways to treat your addiction safely during pregnancy to minimize the effects on the baby, including avoiding withdrawals, and then they will continue to monitor you and offer you help up until, through, and after delivery. As long as you are cooperative and honest, you are at no risk of losing your baby. They cannot punish an addict for seeking help, even a pregnant one, if her doctor is aware that she is seeking help. If you were to NOT inform your doctor, however, they could accuse you of neglectful and abusive behavior (abusing a drug while pregnant without informing a doctor so the baby can be monitored is considered neglectful) and then CPS would have a lot more involvement and you could run the risk of being separated from baby while you sought drug counseling and rehab.

Since you're still early enough on in your pregnancy, I think you'll be just fine! I've even known women to "confess" in the week before delivery and the situation turns out fine..but they are usually hounded by CPS about 10x as much. So just be honest..take a deep breath..you are taking the first step towards making better choices for baby and you will be FINE! you are NOT the first addicted mommy they've dealt with - I can guarantee that.

[buggie216]

Isnt this drug to help addiction?? i looked it up...im just confused...does it still give you the same effect as opiates or does it stop you from feeling the effects? I would think it wouldnt be nearly as bad as if you were taking the actual opiates w/out an RX in the eyes of drs and cps...

[rach7617]

thanks so much for all the info. ive decided im most definetly gonna tell the dr when i go the 27th im just petrified of the outcome. just wanted some advice. you guys are great thanks so much

[mumniya]

You should tell ur doctor I hear they do a drug test without telling you and that would be worst if they know now they will see that u care and they will try and help you as much as possible my friend was pregnant and they tested her without her knowing they said they would help her stop but if the bby came back with drugs in his/her system the cps would charge her n take the bby away

[elijahsmommy06]

I do not take suboxone but my significant other does should I be worried?

[Linny5511]

Actually it's in the category C of FDA approves drugs which means they dont know if it is safe for an unborn child. I would tell your doctor about it right away and make things right, it sounds dangerous. And i dont think they will take your baby from you if you do whats right. But i can't be positive on the regulations of things where you live.

[parkersmommy]

Before I knew I was pregnant*

[parkersmommy]

I can't say if they'll take your baby or not I can say that it will certainly look better if you speak to your doctor and let them know the situation and that you are concerned by what you read and ask doc what they suggest. When I was pregnant with my son my first doctors appointment I had to tell my doc I had taken ecstacy before I was pregnant I was terrified but you would never forgive yourself if something happened to your baby that you could've avoided by just having an uncomfortable conversation with your doctor. All the best of luck love!

[mcclure223]

Tell Ur doc asap. Suboxonne is not safe for pregnancy n will cause baby to withdrawal. U need to be monitored n prescribed subutex. No questions here...dcs may be called but mb not if u do the right thing. If u dont u n baby could have major complications before, during, n after birth n babys that withdrawal could suffer significantly due to withdrawals.

[sehale]

They may not take your baby, but you'll most likely be monitored and drug tested frequently. You should tell your doctor ASAP because they'll probably find out eventually anyway. A lot of doctors test the baby's first stool and anything you ingest ends up in the poop.

[rach7617]

do u or anyone else think dcs will take my baby when its born?

[July29]

Tell your dr. right now what matters is your babys health. Good luck!!