Aa
5months pregnant and taking percocets
I was in a car accident a year ago that almost took my life. Since I have been on percocets.I didnt know I was pregnant and found out I was in my 3rd month. I am now 5 months and am so frightened that my baby is harmed. I tried to get myself off,but go through god awful withdrawel symptoms. I got so sick that I evene think Im doing more harm than good to my baby,because she goes nuts when I stop and get sick. Im scared to tell my doctor and am trying to get into a methadone program,because I heard methadone dont affect your baby,but there is a waiting period and was told that whatever I do in the meantime is my business,which I thought was unprofessional of them to say. Please someone tell me if im hurting my baby,and if anyone knows if it would be better to take meth than percocet. Please help!!! I am very scared!! I dont want to lose my baby!
You really should be honest with your doctor! I'm not sure if methadone would be better for the baby then percs, but I do know that if you stay on either one for the remainder of your pregnancy your baby will be born addicted. From what I've heard, trying to detox will pregnant causes more harm to the baby than using, but I'm not 100% sure. Please tell your doctor!! Don't be scared about telling him, even if you're obtaining the pills illegally, don't be scared - you need to tell him so he can help you set up a plan that's healthy for both you and baby. Hopefully someone else will know more about this! Good luck!
As cat said plz inform your doctor. Its the best gift you can give your unborn child .He can work out a very slow taper plan to get you off of the meds .I would not even consider methadone until you have dicussed all of the options with the doctor.The only time pg mom gets in trouble from there doctor is when they dont them about there addictions and there babyies are born addicted then by law they have to contact child services. So plz let your doctor know.
I am 38 weeks pregnant and addicted to opiates as well.
TELL YOUR DOCTOR
If you do this without medical help, you will either
A. Not succeed
B. Your baby will be at risk
C. You will go through withdrawals while pregnant which has been shown to not harm the fetus, however it will be VERY uncomfortable which is why it is not recommended
D. The doctor will do a drug screen and find out themselves which YOU DO NOT WANT
TELL YOUR DOCTOR!!!! I cannot tell you enough times. If you want whats best for your baby please tell the doctor. If you areok with being selfish, dont tell your doctor. Sorry to be harsh- but its not just your life here, its someone elses.
It will go like this- You will tell the doctor. The doctor will ask how many you take per day. The doctor will ask if they are prescribed. Be honest and tell the doctor you are an addict.
At that point the doctor will write you a script for a maintenance dose. He will write the dosage based on how many you are currently taking. If you are on 10 a day, he will probably start to taper from 8 a day. The taper will be very slow. Every two weeks or so the doctor will lower the pill count to one less.
There have been no substantiated cases or studies proving that opioid users have addicted babies. In fact, it's the opposite. Studies have shown that moderate daily intake of opiates doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. I am being prescribed 3.5 10/325 mg Vicodin to use daily until I give birth. My doctors primary concern is my usage staying steady. Her concern is NOT whether the baby will go through withdrawals because it is highly unlikely. Again, babies going through withdrawal due to opioid use during gestation has not been proven and cases have not been seen OFTEN enough for doctors to say "If you are addicted to vicodin during pregnancy your baby will be born addicted." Please note this. Many people on this forum have the false interpretation that usage during pregnancy results in withdrawals for the baby. It does NOT, in most cases- Especially with moderate use.
My advice? Talk to your doctor as many posters here will give you false information.
All with the best intentions, but most do not know what they are talking about because they haven't actually been pregnant and talked to their doctor about it. For 2 months I have had to see my OB once a week to take a drug screen, get a script, and talk about the maintenance dose and how everything is going. I got an ultrasound last week and the baby is healthy, with an estimated weight already at 8.5 lbs. My doctor is actually pleased with how healthy I and the baby are. So for you? Dont worry.
Your use of opiates are probably not harming the baby as much as you think. There is no substantiated medical basis for anyone to tell you that percocet use while pregnant causes birth defects. It does not.
Opioid use during pregnancy has been shown in some children to be the cause of lower IQ and cognitive delay. This is the extent of the damage. Damage to the fetus though is unlikely, but be aware it can cause problems later (cognitive and IQ)
Just talk to your doctor and follow the guidelines they set for you.
TELL YOUR DOCTOR
If you do this without medical help, you will either
A. Not succeed
B. Your baby will be at risk
C. You will go through withdrawals while pregnant which has been shown to not harm the fetus, however it will be VERY uncomfortable which is why it is not recommended
D. The doctor will do a drug screen and find out themselves which YOU DO NOT WANT
TELL YOUR DOCTOR!!!! I cannot tell you enough times. If you want whats best for your baby please tell the doctor. If you areok with being selfish, dont tell your doctor. Sorry to be harsh- but its not just your life here, its someone elses.
It will go like this- You will tell the doctor. The doctor will ask how many you take per day. The doctor will ask if they are prescribed. Be honest and tell the doctor you are an addict.
At that point the doctor will write you a script for a maintenance dose. He will write the dosage based on how many you are currently taking. If you are on 10 a day, he will probably start to taper from 8 a day. The taper will be very slow. Every two weeks or so the doctor will lower the pill count to one less.
There have been no substantiated cases or studies proving that opioid users have addicted babies. In fact, it's the opposite. Studies have shown that moderate daily intake of opiates doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. I am being prescribed 3.5 10/325 mg Vicodin to use daily until I give birth. My doctors primary concern is my usage staying steady. Her concern is NOT whether the baby will go through withdrawals because it is highly unlikely. Again, babies going through withdrawal due to opioid use during gestation has not been proven and cases have not been seen OFTEN enough for doctors to say "If you are addicted to vicodin during pregnancy your baby will be born addicted." Please note this. Many people on this forum have the false interpretation that usage during pregnancy results in withdrawals for the baby. It does NOT, in most cases- Especially with moderate use.
My advice? Talk to your doctor as many posters here will give you false information.
All with the best intentions, but most do not know what they are talking about because they haven't actually been pregnant and talked to their doctor about it. For 2 months I have had to see my OB once a week to take a drug screen, get a script, and talk about the maintenance dose and how everything is going. I got an ultrasound last week and the baby is healthy, with an estimated weight already at 8.5 lbs. My doctor is actually pleased with how healthy I and the baby are. So for you? Dont worry.
Your use of opiates are probably not harming the baby as much as you think. There is no substantiated medical basis for anyone to tell you that percocet use while pregnant causes birth defects. It does not.
Opioid use during pregnancy has been shown in some children to be the cause of lower IQ and cognitive delay. This is the extent of the damage. Damage to the fetus though is unlikely, but be aware it can cause problems later (cognitive and IQ)
Just talk to your doctor and follow the guidelines they set for you.
By law they do not have to contact child services. That is just not true. Please dont let that scare you into not telling your doctor and thinking you can hide your addiction.
They dont ever HAVE to contact CPS unless they feel the child is in imminent danger. I also discussed this with my OB and this is what she told me as I was concerned they would report me. She thought the idea of reporting an addict just for using was laughable- and that they only report mothers who are at risk of harming themselves or their baby physically. If the mother is using illegal street drugs like Meth, Cocaine, etc- they have different protocol for that.
They dont ever HAVE to contact CPS unless they feel the child is in imminent danger. I also discussed this with my OB and this is what she told me as I was concerned they would report me. She thought the idea of reporting an addict just for using was laughable- and that they only report mothers who are at risk of harming themselves or their baby physically. If the mother is using illegal street drugs like Meth, Cocaine, etc- they have different protocol for that.
1
SUMMARY
Substance abuse during pregnancy remains a significant public health concern that affects hundreds of
thousands of newborns every year in the United States, and impacts many systems. States across the country have
established various laws designed to identify, ensure the safety of, and provide services to substance exposed newborns
and their mothers. Prior to 2003, however, no federal policy on this issue existed. As a result, policies vary widely
among states, and several states remain silent on the issue. Further, based on the study reported herein, hospital and
child welfare practices do not necessarily reflect state law. Although based on only eight large urban areas throughout
the country, this study revealed that, regardless of state policy, hospital staffs report virtually all newborns that test
positive for an illicit drug and, with varying degrees of expedience, child welfare agencies investigate almost all such
reports.
SUMMARY
Substance abuse during pregnancy remains a significant public health concern that affects hundreds of
thousands of newborns every year in the United States, and impacts many systems. States across the country have
established various laws designed to identify, ensure the safety of, and provide services to substance exposed newborns
and their mothers. Prior to 2003, however, no federal policy on this issue existed. As a result, policies vary widely
among states, and several states remain silent on the issue. Further, based on the study reported herein, hospital and
child welfare practices do not necessarily reflect state law. Although based on only eight large urban areas throughout
the country, this study revealed that, regardless of state policy, hospital staffs report virtually all newborns that test
positive for an illicit drug and, with varying degrees of expedience, child welfare agencies investigate almost all such
reports.
That may be what you read on the web, but not what my doctor told me- I'll go with what my OB tells me any day over an outdated article on the internet.
I dont think it's wise, nor prudent, to tell the poor girl that her doctor will report her to child services if her baby has drugs in her system.
I just don't think its necessary.
Heck, I'm going through it right now. My doctor is not going to tell me a lie just so she can go behind my back and call CPS over using vicodin- by prescription! Sorry but thats not how it works. And telling her that her baby could be taken away is not only an exaggeration, but it sounds like you are scaring her into telling her doctor. So if her baby will be taken away, she's dammed if she does, and she's dammed if she doesn't.
I prefer to cite the facts that I have experienced personally rather than perpetuating online propaganda and rumor mongering.
I dont think it's wise, nor prudent, to tell the poor girl that her doctor will report her to child services if her baby has drugs in her system.
I just don't think its necessary.
Heck, I'm going through it right now. My doctor is not going to tell me a lie just so she can go behind my back and call CPS over using vicodin- by prescription! Sorry but thats not how it works. And telling her that her baby could be taken away is not only an exaggeration, but it sounds like you are scaring her into telling her doctor. So if her baby will be taken away, she's dammed if she does, and she's dammed if she doesn't.
I prefer to cite the facts that I have experienced personally rather than perpetuating online propaganda and rumor mongering.
Just for the record - A friend of mine was taking 4 to 5 40mg oxycontins daily throughout her pregnancy. Her baby was born highly addicted to the opiates, and had to endure a long withdrawal process. Due to the fact that the wds were so severe, my friend was arrested and convicted of multiple charges and her baby was taken by DSS (also CPS). As Avisg just posted, "hospital staffs report virtually all newborns that test
positive for an illicit drug and, with varying degrees of expedience, child welfare agencies investigate almost all such reports".
"There have been no substantiated cases or studies proving that opioid users have addicted babies. In fact, it's the opposite. Studies have shown that moderate daily intake of opiates doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns."
Where did you find this information? I'm rather curious to investigate this further, so if you wouldn't mind sharing the souce I would greatly appreciate it!
To Kitana - Please tell your doctor what you are taking for the sake of your child.
positive for an illicit drug and, with varying degrees of expedience, child welfare agencies investigate almost all such reports".
"There have been no substantiated cases or studies proving that opioid users have addicted babies. In fact, it's the opposite. Studies have shown that moderate daily intake of opiates doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns."
Where did you find this information? I'm rather curious to investigate this further, so if you wouldn't mind sharing the souce I would greatly appreciate it!
To Kitana - Please tell your doctor what you are taking for the sake of your child.
fI think you need to reread what I wrote I was very careful to write if she did not disclose her usage to her doctor. Not that anyone taking narcotics can get there children taken away.
I prefer to cite the facts that I have experienced personally rather than perpetuating online propaganda and rumor mongering.
Based on the above statement, I'm assuming this is your second pregnancy while addicted to pain killers? If not, then you are indeed involved in "perpetuating propaganda and rumor mongering".
Based on the above statement, I'm assuming this is your second pregnancy while addicted to pain killers? If not, then you are indeed involved in "perpetuating propaganda and rumor mongering".
Well there has been a lot hype going on lately with perscription dependancy and i think some doctors are getting scared.
So here is an idea. If you know of another reputable obgyn office. you could call annonymously and ask them some questions. that you are scared and do not know what to do. just have to use a public phone?
oh i am so sorry that you are in this predicament. i hope that you can try your best to not get too stressed out over it. that is not a good thing either. just maybe keep things the same until you get some real answers.
So here is an idea. If you know of another reputable obgyn office. you could call annonymously and ask them some questions. that you are scared and do not know what to do. just have to use a public phone?
oh i am so sorry that you are in this predicament. i hope that you can try your best to not get too stressed out over it. that is not a good thing either. just maybe keep things the same until you get some real answers.
This is always a tough subject, but I think it is very unfair to say that people on this forum are giving false info, that simply isn't true. One of the regular members here has been an OB nurse for YEARS and is very knowledgeable. She has helped many people who have come here in a similar situation.
Kitana, I completely agree that being 100% honest with your doctor is the only way to go here...both for Mom and for baby's sake. The information given here was not meant as a scare tactic, it is simply the facts...and at a time like this...honesty is VERY VERY important.
Being addicted during pregnancy itself is not a crime...but withholding that information from the medical team, putting the baby at risk very well COULD be a crime, and is when CYS would get involved. Depending on usage, yes, not ALL babies will suffer withdrawal, but a LOT of babies born to Mom's using opiates regularly absolutely positively WILL suffer withdrawals....and for a newborn baby, w/d's are much much more harmful and risky than for an adult.
Kitana...you have done the hardest thing...taking that first step. Kudos to you. Of course you want what is best for your baby, not a soul here would think any differently. Just be honest and open with your OB, and an appropriate plan will be put in place for you during the pregnancy. Best of luck to you and your baby.
Take Care!!!
Kitana, I completely agree that being 100% honest with your doctor is the only way to go here...both for Mom and for baby's sake. The information given here was not meant as a scare tactic, it is simply the facts...and at a time like this...honesty is VERY VERY important.
Being addicted during pregnancy itself is not a crime...but withholding that information from the medical team, putting the baby at risk very well COULD be a crime, and is when CYS would get involved. Depending on usage, yes, not ALL babies will suffer withdrawal, but a LOT of babies born to Mom's using opiates regularly absolutely positively WILL suffer withdrawals....and for a newborn baby, w/d's are much much more harmful and risky than for an adult.
Kitana...you have done the hardest thing...taking that first step. Kudos to you. Of course you want what is best for your baby, not a soul here would think any differently. Just be honest and open with your OB, and an appropriate plan will be put in place for you during the pregnancy. Best of luck to you and your baby.
Take Care!!!
here are different states stances on this subject
Unborn Victims of Violence Laws:
Prenatal use of drugs by mother
10 states define substance abuse during pregnancy as “child abuse” under civil
child-welfare statutes: AR, CO, FL, IN, MD, NV, SC, SD, TX, and WI
7 states require healthcare professionals to report suspected prenatal drug use:
AL, AZ, MA, MI, MT, OK, and UT
1 state requires healthcare professionals to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure
when there is suspicion of prenatal drug abuse: KY
1 state requires healthcare professionals to report suspected prenatal drug use and
requires healthcare professionals to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure when
there is suspicion of prenatal drug abuse: ND
2 states define substance abuse during pregnancy as “child abuse” under civil childwelfare
statutes, require healthcare professionals to report suspected prenatal drug use,
and require healthcare professional to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure when
there is suspicion of prenatal drug abuse: IA and
Unborn Victims of Violence Laws:
Prenatal use of drugs by mother
10 states define substance abuse during pregnancy as “child abuse” under civil
child-welfare statutes: AR, CO, FL, IN, MD, NV, SC, SD, TX, and WI
7 states require healthcare professionals to report suspected prenatal drug use:
AL, AZ, MA, MI, MT, OK, and UT
1 state requires healthcare professionals to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure
when there is suspicion of prenatal drug abuse: KY
1 state requires healthcare professionals to report suspected prenatal drug use and
requires healthcare professionals to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure when
there is suspicion of prenatal drug abuse: ND
2 states define substance abuse during pregnancy as “child abuse” under civil childwelfare
statutes, require healthcare professionals to report suspected prenatal drug use,
and require healthcare professional to test newborns for prenatal drug exposure when
there is suspicion of prenatal drug abuse: IA and
Here in Washington state, if they know a mother has been using, they will test the baby. If the baby tests positive, it doesn't go home with the mom. Now this is according to my wife who is an RN and teaches childbirth. I can not say for sure it is state wide, but it is this way at the hospital she works at. We are not talking about Dr prescribed meds, but illegal ones.
Hey girl -
You have a moral and ethical obligation to the life that is inside of you.
Please come clean -- I am not aware of any doctor taking away any woman's baby who was taking prescription drugs.
My concern would be your continuing pregnancy and that your little one is now addicted as well.
If you are worried, contact another doctor's office in your home town and see what they say.
Again, your first obligation is to your little one.
You have a moral and ethical obligation to the life that is inside of you.
Please come clean -- I am not aware of any doctor taking away any woman's baby who was taking prescription drugs.
My concern would be your continuing pregnancy and that your little one is now addicted as well.
If you are worried, contact another doctor's office in your home town and see what they say.
Again, your first obligation is to your little one.
It is absolutely amazing to me when people wringe their hands and are agast when a child born to an addict is released to the mother and harm befalls that baby, the other end of the spectrum is oh my god the docs or state did take an addicted baby away from an addicted mother and that mother should be given another chance. How is this the doc or state's responsibility? Time for a reality check, you can read any forum or postings or web-site to condone your usage, but in your heart you have to know that informing your OB/GYN is the only true beginning to give your baby the least that she deserve, and that is beginning her life not addicted or affected by drugs.
Good luck to you, and I sincerely hope you get the best help for your baby.
Good luck to you, and I sincerely hope you get the best help for your baby.
I am happy that you all are very well concerned,but some people are taking me out of context. So I am going to explain my situation. I was in a car accident a year ago. I have 3 metal screws in my hip,also screws in my knee cap that look like they are coming out and screws in my ankle.Plus,on top of that I have a metal rod in my femur bone,and the bones in my foot have shifted so I am in extreme pain constantly. Lets put it this way,even when I am taking my pain med, it still hurts,and sometimes severly. I also need a heart valve replaced so I am basically screwed. Before I left upstate,I asked my OB about the Hydrocodones,and he said it was fine if Im taking them the way Im suppose to. What made me sketchy about that,is that this is the same OB that prescribed me an anti depressant that states on paper that it can cause fetal damage and the same med was putting me in more pain. I would be screaming everynight in pain because of these meds he gave me. It felt like I was giving birth over and over again.So I stopped taking those,but to still have this damn pain pill problem.Well, I left upstate and My MD not and OB prescribed me perc because the hydros stop working,but I was afraid to tell him I was pregnant because I know what pain lied ahead of me,and how sick you get when you stop,because I did try to stop those too,and it is torture. Now, Im at the point where I want to find an OB,let him know whats going on,and try to get into a Methadone program. I even called the program up,and do you know what they told me? They were very inconsiderate and they said it takes time to get in the program,and that whatever I do to get pills is my business until they could help me. Now Im not a druggy that gets pills off the steet,I get a prescription and to say harsh words like that is completely unprofessional and it makes me second guess if I want them to help me.Im just a mom trying to do the best thing for my baby and not be in pain or get sick. Ive got other kids to think about and run after and its damn hard. Im not a bad mom,and I dont cop drugs off the street.But when the subject arrises and people like us look for help,we are frowned upon or degraded and in my case have to be on a waiting list and not get the help we need right away.Sometimes it takes forever to get the help.Then when our children are born addicted then they look down upon us again and it isnt fair!
Kit , you do need something for your pain .I know some doctors can be awful it would scare me too but Rremember you are doing nothing wrong you are trying to control your pain so absolutely don't worry about telling the doctor .If the doctor you choose is not understanding plz find one that is no doctor has the right to make you feel bad. From talking to you PM last night I know you want to best for your baby it will be ok.
The methadone route sounds so bad from what everyone on here has said. Even if it is better for the baby- which is hard to believe- what a mess you will be in afterwards. And then you will have even one more baby to take care of.
When we are trying to plan for quitting you have to look at the whole picture way far ahead. The success rate for methadone is terrible. And you will most likely still be needing something for pain after the baby is born.
When we are trying to plan for quitting you have to look at the whole picture way far ahead. The success rate for methadone is terrible. And you will most likely still be needing something for pain after the baby is born.
Well the reason I was choosing Methadone,is not only do they give it to addicts for addiction,but it is used for pain,and it doesnt affect the baby in your stomach. I thought hey, you cant go wrong with that,but if anyone has anymore information on methadone or know anyone who has tooken it before.Please let me know.
I was on methadone for over a year. i went cold turkey off 65mg almost 2 yrs ago..there were many pregnant women there but they can only give you a certain amount while pregnant. I do not believe any medication is "safe" 100% for an unborn child but they do use methadone..my question to you would be..do you plan on staying on methadone for a long time? It is pretty much the strongest pain med out there. If you have to have other surgeries and so forth..your body is going to be tolerant of methadone but the pain levels are going to keep increasing. Methadone is absolute he11 to come off of. ..btw..congrats on your pregnancy and i am so sorry you have to go through all that you have had to..If you have any questions about methadone i will do my best to answer them...
just wanted to keep everyone updated since I have not written in a few days. I ended up in the hospital this weekend. I started bleeding. They kept me in the hospital and did a bunch of tests on me,a nd still cant find out where Im bleeding from. I came clean with them about using percocets and you were right! The OBGYN was very understanding and it comes out that percs will not harm your baby at all,and they gave them to me while I was in the hospital,and yes, said,"I had a legitamite reason for taking them." They know how much pain Im in and with the bleeding,Im in even more pain,so much that in the hospital they had to give me a morphine shot! I got a great GYN now! She is very understanding and I will be doing my follow ups with her,and yes! it has been confirmed....IM HAVING A BABY GIRL,AND SHES VERY HEALTHY! She is big and chubby! I was amazed when I seen her on the sonogram.I thought for sure with the pain pills she would be tiny,but no!!! She'd very very healthy and very very active that she set the alarms off all night long when they were trying to moniter her!LOL!!! i AM SO GLAD THAT MY BABY HAS A CHANCE AND THAT ALL IS WELL. i WANTED TO POST THIS INCASE A NEW MOTHER WHO IS IN MY POSITION AND IS SCARED HAS THE SAME QUESTIONS,THAT i'D BE ABLE TO HELP. i WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT! And yes, its good to be honest with the doctor!Thank you!
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