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37 weeks pregnant and withdrawing from Vicodin

Hello all.. I am 26 years old and am currently 3by th7 weeks pregnant. I have been addicted to vicodin for at least 3 years .. it started with multiple head injurys from snowboarding to broken ribs, to recently finding a cist on my ovary. Somehow the pills just kept comming and before I knew it i was addicted. I only realized how addicted I was when I found out I was pregnant and tried to stop cold turkey. I had all the severe withdrawl symtoms and after reading other posts on here of people in the same situation sayiing how bad it is to quit cold turkey while pregnant I went to my OB. He told me that I was safe to quit cold turkey because I was only taking around 5 a day at this point. I told him (crying like a baby in his office) that I didn't think I could do it and needed help tapering off. He basically told me to tough it out, which led me to taking them again. I have now gone on and off of them sseveral times and haven't been able to stop. I have felt very alone, and horribly guilty for what I may have done to my little baby. I just want him to be born healthy. My (new) doctor does not know I was still recently taking vicodin but all the tests and ultrasounds have been coming back great, he is currently 7lbs.
Reading over these forums the last few months to try and get some info on what could potentially happen I have heard a lot about women having their babies taken from them by CPS if the baby is born addicted. This will not happpen to me! I am currently on day 3 of no vicodin and the withdrawls are crappy, but nothing I can't handle. I flushed my meds and am not looking back. I'm so dissapointed that I didn't do this sooner, but better now than never right? My question is. How long does the vicodin stay in my system and moore importantly how long will it be in the babies? I'm die in just a few weeks but the doctor said I can safely go into labor any day now. I'm hoping to make it at least another week before my baby boy comes so that this crap that has ruined my life won't be in our systems anymore! I would hate for my baby to go through withdrawls and would die if he were taken away from me. Please any info will help. I know a lot of you will have opinions and think I'm a horrible human being but please don't. Answer just to put me down. I'm putting myself through enough, I know I've done wrong but all I want is to be a good mommy to my baby boy. Addiction is a powerfull thing and I wish id never seen a pill in my life! Thank you!!
31 Responses
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1700643 tn?1464846682
Tell your doctor now.I know from experience anything u do from 4&1/2months on drugs Shows up if they test your core blood.I was prescribed meds and my pm doctor said i needed them through my pregnancy(weighing pros and cons of my situation).Anyway even if u stopped at5months IF they check core blood they will know.But b honest with your doctor.You will see a social worker before u leave WITH your baby they wanna make sure u have people to help/support u when u go home like family,spouse or close friends.I was panicked when I was told a social worker would b seeing me but the nurse reassured me only1time was a child taken into cps custody and it was because the woman smoked crack the day She went n2labor and no family would take the baby and She was homeless.Like me lortabs r prescribed to pregnant woman all the time but continue sobriety as u don.t want ur baby going through detox after birth.
Helpful - 0
1700643 tn?1464846682
Tell your doctor now.I know from experience anything u do from 4&1/2months on drugs Shows up if they test your core blood.I was prescribed meds and my pm doctor said i needed them through my pregnancy(weighing pros and cons of my situation).Anyway even if u stopped at5months IF they check core blood they will know.But b honest with your doctor.You will see a social worker before u leave WITH your baby they wanna make sure u have people to help/support u when u go home like family,spouse or close friends.I was panicked when I was told a social worker would b seeing me but the nurse reassured me only1time was a child taken into cps custody and it was because the woman smoked crack the day She went n2labor and no family would take the baby and She was homeless.Like me lortabs r prescribed to pregnant woman all the time but continue sobriety as u don.t want ur baby going through detox after birth.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thats the best ending you could come up with for the rest of your lives!! I have been mega involved with my son for the last three years after getting sober and its a whole new world - - even beats the old one.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mommy!!   Great news!!   Everyone will be delighted to read this...

All the best to you and the little guy!   xoxo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just read the post trail about your situation and all of the supporting comments.  I almost cried when I read about the successful delivery of your new bundle of joy.  Congratulations on both accomplishments!
I myself am on day 3 of no vicodin and am finally able to smile an have some hope of a better life.
I am a mother of a beautiful boy who will be 2 this July, I did this for him and could not be happier
.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey all! Sorry I've been MIA !! I've been busy with my lil man! My baby boy was born may 22nd weighing 6lbs 13 oz and healthy as canbe! ! I had a very intense labor and they actually put me on Vicodin to help with recovery. I was a lil scared but was only back on it for a week. Once I ran out I had a few cravings for the first couple days but no withdrawal ( thank god) anyways,  thanks everyone for your help! I'm so lucky and so in love with my perfect lil boy! I would go into details about my labor but I don't know if anyone cares! Lol
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm so glad you did this & I did the same today...Doesn't it feel great? We can stay clean & make it to the end & not worry now so much....Hopefully we can enjoy the rest of our pregnancies (because we all know there's more stressors in life) & not to mention- all of the late pregnancy symptoms we can endure...if you need someone to talk to you can always message me & hopefully we can support each other until one or the other's water breaks! This forum has been amazing...
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1035252 tn?1427227833
Congrats! I'm so glad that you told your OB! I'm Co-Community Leader over in the Pregnancy 18-34 forum and every time we get a woman asking a question similar to yours, the answer is ALWAYS "Tell your OB". always always. I'm so very glad that you did; our doctors are there to help us, and doctors who bring babies into this world are there to help us bring healthy babies into this world...never underestimate how much they want your baby to be healthy, despite the bad rap they get.

Now come on over to the Pregnancy 18-34 forum and count down to the end with the rest of the ladies there :-).
Helpful - 0
1580085 tn?1400940838
i am so glad everything is going to be ok, and you should be proud that you did the right thing.
! dont forget to tell us when your little one arrives! we shall want to know!
i hope it all goes well for you, god bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh Honey- I'm so relieved and happy for you!!  You're right, always speak to the OB and don't be afraid. It's the best way!!

I'm glad you feel better,as well.  It's always scary when a pregnant woman comes on the forum. A lot of advice can be misunderstood.

But,you're good now!!

Keep in touch!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello everyone!! So I went to my doctors appointment this morning and told him my situation. Man am I glad I did!!! He was overly reasuring that my baby will not be born addicted and that there is no chance he would be "taken" from me. He said its good I stopped taking them because of how addictive they can be but that Vicodin is considered safe during pregnancy and most doctors have no problem prescribing them to pregnant women. He also said that he deals alot with women who take methadone and alot of babies are born addicted to that but even then they don't come and take your baby away. He also told me not to mention it when going into the hospital and if for some reason it were to come up tell them the truth that u had a prescription but stopped taking them. But the chances of my baby still having it in his system are so low he told me to rest easy. Nothing wwas going to happen. I'm very glad I stopped taking them. I'm on day 7 and feel great ( considering I'm 9 months prego) and I'm so glad I talked to my doctor!! I hope this helps anyone in my situation. It can be scary with people telling you alk kinds of things that are going to happen to you -and not knowing for sure. If u have time taper off them but if ur a jerk like me and waited till the end then just stop taking them!! Its worth the peice of mind. And talk tobyour doctor! !!!! Best peice of advice I got on here!! Thanks everyone for your help. Now I can focus on getting my lil man here!! Xo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Glad to hear u r doing well. Just keep going . U r thru the rough parts. Just still talk to ur dr
Helpful - 0
1580085 tn?1400940838
i am so glad to hear from you at last! and its good your not feeling too bad, you will be doing the right thing by telling yourdoctor everything, i wish you well for your appointment on monday, take care and god bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The best thing u can do in this situation is be completely honest with your dr. If ur ob/dr was prescribing u the meds there are no reason for CPS to get involved to take your baby away. I was addicted to percs when I found out I was preg since I was in pain management for a herniated disk. I was able to wean off in the beginning but towards the end I suffered from severe migraines and back pain and my dr put me on percs and I was in and out of the hospital getting shots of morphine. As much as I hated to take anything I was in so much pain. I was on the meds for 3 weeks then I knew I had to stop. I went into labor 2 days later. They found opiates in my baby's system and my dr immediately signed off that I was perscribed meds so that CPS didn't get involved. Unfortunately my daughter was born mildly addicted and was in the nicu for 2 weeks. It killed me cause I hated seeing her suffer.
I don't know how long everything is in ur system, but I would say at least a week. I wish u all the best!! Believe me I know how hard this must be for you. I still feel the guilt, but u are a good person and a great mother!!! This addiction is b**ch!!! Just be up front and honest and stay away from the meds. (I know easier said than done).
Congrats on 4 days!! It's great ur feeling good and strong cause it sounds like u r doing great!!! Keep us posted, and feel free to ask me anything!!
<3 Jess <3
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
so glad to hear from u . 4 days clean congrats u can do it for the both of you. keep posting and i wish you thebest with the doc and your new addition . keep strong....Dove
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Avatar universal
Hi all! I'm officially on day 4 of no pills and I feel fine! Ive had very minor withdrawal symtoms compared to previous experiences.. I had the diarrhea and body aches the first day then each day after has gotten better. I'm hoping this means the baby isn't suffering much either. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my little man doesn't come out early. I have a doctor appt on Monday and am going to tell him what's going on. I've been doing some research and I've gotten the impression that its out of your system in 7 days..anyone know if this is correct?  Vamama- you said you quit 2 weeks before?  Was ur baby still born addicted?  I'm hoping that its out of mine and my babys systems by the time he comes..any info anyone has on the length it stays in your and your fetus system would help. I will die if my baby has to suffer!! Thank you everyone for your support.  (Some not as much) :) having this has helped me through my last 4 days and now I know I can make it! I'm not even craving them anymore! ! ;)
Helpful - 0
1310633 tn?1430224091
Where'd you go?

Please post so we can all see how you're doing.

Did you talk to your doctor? What steps have you taken to address this? I wouldn't be asking if I didn't care about the health of both you and your unborn child.

Please let us know how you're doing. We're all here to give support & advice or whatever else we can offer.

LMNO
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I actually got addicted to vic's while pregnant. I hurt my back & took them throughout my pregnancy. They will not hurt the baby. HOWEVER... The baby become addicted to them. I stopped two weeks before she was born, it was hard as hell. My doc told me what the withdrawls would be like for the baby & I couldn't bear to have my little one enter the world with w/d.  You can stop. I feel for you. But I know you will do right for the baby. Keep coming back & posting it helps.
Helpful - 0
1580085 tn?1400940838
i hope all is well , please post again so we can see how your doing,we are here for you, god bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Be honest with the doc and your husband or family. They will be there to help you if you are honest now. Be good to yourself and the Boo its a new start for both of you. Living a sober life starts with honesty. Be well.... Dove.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
oh i just read that other part, and well if you dont believe it, look it up its true any use during the duration of a pregnancy is traceable if they go deep into it, which they did as i came clean asap and told my doctor the day i found ou ti was pregnant i was an addict. not a joke,not a lie its what happened and what they told me after i flipped out and they looked into it deeper and found it was the Demerol 4 weeks prior
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
how is it lacking empathy??? i was very empathetic, i shared my story that is all, personally i like it when others share there storys with me when im in trouble it gives me a bigger view on it, i wasnt trying to be bad or mean or any of that its scary dont you think how could you not think it is? im sorry but im not gona lie and tell her oh its gona be fine, cuz in reality it is not so there it is,

and momytobe please understand i only wrote what i wrote to get you on a higher level of understanding of whats happening, i know the drugs all to well, you dont think of things like u do when u r sober ok, its from my heart, i care, and i really really hope everything turns out the way you truly want it too <3
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
She asked for no negative comments and most ppl observed that and gave her good advice. I wish the others wld just not comment. We all have this same nasty horrible addiction. Some can go ct whe others can't. This is the one place we turn to , to not be judged.
You must think b4 u post things that are your opinion. I also have a medical background and can tell you how rare it wld be for Demerol to show up in a baby one month after a single dose. I think there is more to te story and authorities wldnt be involved unless there was proof of hidden abuse throughout the pregnancy.
I think best is for u to call ur dr tomorrow and just be honest now. Im sure they hear this all the time. It will be a relief for you as well as the benefit to the health of your baby.
Helpful - 0
1035252 tn?1427227833
Just cut/paste everything Vicki said in here. I think you'll be just fine, but you MUST be honest. they're going to get you in trouble if they discover something you've been hiding, but if you're honest they will work with you in delivery to make sure baby is healthy, which is the ONLY important thing from here.

You are not a horrible person...don't beat yourself up. you're in the grips of something really strong, and doing the best you can to make it right...that makes you a pretty d*mned good person in my book. It's not the mistakes we make that define us, it's what we do to make up for those mistakes.

btw..your baby should be just fine. i had to be on pain medicine (prescribed by my OB) during both pregnancies for various things...while it's not ideal, the only real risk that narcotics during pregnancy carry relate to addiction/withdrawal at birth, and an informed Ob will be able to care for your baby to make sure there are no big complications.

so...be honest...and get excited! your baby is almost here!
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