Aa
Methadone and Pregnant over 35
My name is Jessica. I am 36 years old, and tried for many years to have a second child with no such luck. (I have one daughter who recently turned 18). Back in 1999 I suffered a back injury and was prescribed to oxycontin. This was at a time when not enough was known about the drug to have foreseen the long term effects, such as my subsequent 15 year battle with addiction. Anyhow, I started on the methadone clinic almost 3 years ago. Ive done very well since starting treatment, and managed to avoid any slips. I secured financial independence, a beautiful apartment and rebuilt my relationship with my daughter. I've been divorced for 6 years now, and have been seeing an amazing man who I love dearly and who cares for both me and my daughter. I began my taper last year, and was down to 6mgs. Then I found out I was pregnant. I was experiencing withdrawls, and was told that the fetus feels what I feel, and have since increased my dose to 18mgs, where I am comfortable and plan on staying. Because of my age, being on methadone, and my difficulty conceiving in the past, this is obviously a high risk pregnancy. The problem I am having is the guilt. I am so worried about the long term effects on my child. As it is, I won't be able to breast feed my child, and that alone is causing anxiety over starting out as a failure as a mommy. Does anyone have any input on this? Will it be safe for me to detox once I give birth and then breast feed once the drug is completely out of my system? I sincerely believed I was unable to conceive, or I would have completed my methadone taper before doing so. The last thing I wanted was to put a newborn through withdrawls. My obgyn, who supposedly specializes in pregnant mothers on methadone treatment, seems to have little to no input regarding this? How worried should I be? Is it safe for me to detox after giving birth? And will I ever be able to breast feed my child?
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials and your pregnancy!
I had a healthy baby boy and was on methadone during my pregnancy. I think I was at around 100mg when I got pregnant and my nurse increased my dose to almost 300mg throughout my pregnancy, telling me it's likely I could lose my baby if he/we go into w/d. CRAZY right? Well. I knew my own body and didn't take anywhere near that much. Just because the baby was very active (later in my pregnancy of course); the nurse at my clinic was worried he was going thru w/d and forced me to go up.
Far as I know, there are many women who are prescribed opiate pain meds while their pregnant and its safe. (Not talking about methadone in particular) I was told that my son could be born addicted to methadone and would have to be weened, OR, he could be born totally fine and have zero symptoms! They just never know until the baby is born! Well holy cow I was incredibly lucky I guess because he was born completely fine, showing no symptoms at all! We left the hospital after 24hrs just like I did with my first born. My methadone doctor told me that the "worst" case he's ever seen is a newborn having to spend 2wks to be detoxed, in the hospital. That was worse case far as he was concerned.,
The ONLY difference between my two pregnancies (one being on methadone, one being 100% clean), was that my milk didn't come in the way it did with my first born when I wasn't on anything. That was IT. I still nursed as much as I could... Everyone recommended nursing for me. I had to also give him formula since I didn't have enough milk to fill him up but I was still able to nurse.
I don't want to get your hopes to high since every pregnancy and experience with this is different. But, I was on about 120-160mg throughout my pregnancy and I had a beautiful, healthy baby boy with NO issues!
You know your body. If you start to feel w/d's, your baby is feeling them as well and you need to increase your dose. Try not to feel guilty. I know it's easier said than done since I felt a tremendous amount of guilt as well. But detoxing while pregnant probably isn't an option (I was told it absolutely wasn't an option but that was 7 years ago so things may have changed?).
The fact that you're at such a low dose compared to many, is really great and I think will definitely work in your and your unborn child's favor!
Communication with your doctor/nurses/clinic is KEY. Tell them your concerns throughout your pregnancy. Tell them exactly how your feeling and what your body is doing. Right now your number ONE concern should be keeping your baby healthy (which I have no doubt from reading your post that it is)!
Try to keep in mind that millions of women have been in your exact shoes and have had beautiful, healthy babies. I don't know why you were told not to nurse your baby? Maybe the docs know things now that they didn't know before and I'm no doctor but, in my experience, I'd have to disagree.
I HAVE been where you've been but at a much higher dose. So please, feel free to ask me any questions you may have at anytime. All I can do is share my experience with you and hopefully that can give you some comfort.
Congrats again!!!
I had a healthy baby boy and was on methadone during my pregnancy. I think I was at around 100mg when I got pregnant and my nurse increased my dose to almost 300mg throughout my pregnancy, telling me it's likely I could lose my baby if he/we go into w/d. CRAZY right? Well. I knew my own body and didn't take anywhere near that much. Just because the baby was very active (later in my pregnancy of course); the nurse at my clinic was worried he was going thru w/d and forced me to go up.
Far as I know, there are many women who are prescribed opiate pain meds while their pregnant and its safe. (Not talking about methadone in particular) I was told that my son could be born addicted to methadone and would have to be weened, OR, he could be born totally fine and have zero symptoms! They just never know until the baby is born! Well holy cow I was incredibly lucky I guess because he was born completely fine, showing no symptoms at all! We left the hospital after 24hrs just like I did with my first born. My methadone doctor told me that the "worst" case he's ever seen is a newborn having to spend 2wks to be detoxed, in the hospital. That was worse case far as he was concerned.,
The ONLY difference between my two pregnancies (one being on methadone, one being 100% clean), was that my milk didn't come in the way it did with my first born when I wasn't on anything. That was IT. I still nursed as much as I could... Everyone recommended nursing for me. I had to also give him formula since I didn't have enough milk to fill him up but I was still able to nurse.
I don't want to get your hopes to high since every pregnancy and experience with this is different. But, I was on about 120-160mg throughout my pregnancy and I had a beautiful, healthy baby boy with NO issues!
You know your body. If you start to feel w/d's, your baby is feeling them as well and you need to increase your dose. Try not to feel guilty. I know it's easier said than done since I felt a tremendous amount of guilt as well. But detoxing while pregnant probably isn't an option (I was told it absolutely wasn't an option but that was 7 years ago so things may have changed?).
The fact that you're at such a low dose compared to many, is really great and I think will definitely work in your and your unborn child's favor!
Communication with your doctor/nurses/clinic is KEY. Tell them your concerns throughout your pregnancy. Tell them exactly how your feeling and what your body is doing. Right now your number ONE concern should be keeping your baby healthy (which I have no doubt from reading your post that it is)!
Try to keep in mind that millions of women have been in your exact shoes and have had beautiful, healthy babies. I don't know why you were told not to nurse your baby? Maybe the docs know things now that they didn't know before and I'm no doctor but, in my experience, I'd have to disagree.
I HAVE been where you've been but at a much higher dose. So please, feel free to ask me any questions you may have at anytime. All I can do is share my experience with you and hopefully that can give you some comfort.
Congrats again!!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Write your questions down as Sonrissa mentioned. It sounds like you have alot of good things happening in your life. I am really happy to hear you are involved with recovery care. Hope you feel better now. The support here is great so stick around and talk with us~
Hi Jessica! and welcome! congratulations on your pregnancy! You have a wonderful attitude. You have been given some great advice, so I won't repeat it. Just to say please try not to get stressed out about this! You are doing all the right things. I hope your next visit with your OB goes better and you get more helpful information! Make a running list of all the questions you have so you don't forget. Take care, and I hope that you will stick around here and let us know how things go! All the best to you and your family!
Congratulations on your pregnancy and for putting the needs of your baby first. I don't have much knowledge on the subject; but this is a great forum for help and support. Good luck to you on your recovery and all the great events happening in your life.
Well congratulations on your future marriage and baby! I hope you keep us posted after your next meeting with your Ob-Gyn. There are many women who come to this forum addicted and pregnant looking for answers. I know more than anything they want to hear from other woman in there situation so any helpful information on your journey I'm sure will be greatly appreciated by those who read this thread in the future.
Wow <3 So much support on this forum. Thank you all for your quick and informative responses. I'm so glad I decided to post my concerns. I should have mentioned that I am 6wks 4days along. It's so new, and I realize I'm not yet in the "safe zone", but I feel otherwise hopeful I will carry to term and deliver a healthy baby. I've been a smoker since college, and as soon as I saw that plus sign, I threw out my cigarettes and haven't given in. I was young with my daughter and I made so many mistakes, and though I hate to admit it, I know now what precautions to take and how to better mother a child this time around. My daughter is thrilled as she knows how I had all but given up on having another child. I will be married to the man of my dreams on St. Valentine's Day, and this will be his first child. I am very happy with my life in general, but the whole methadone thing is killing me. Thank you though, as your responses have alleviated some of my anxiety and worry. As for my Ob-Gyn, I was referred to her from the clinic. I've only had the one appointment with her, and that was brief, as the majority of the visit was completing our intake with a NP, and the doctor came into the room for about 5 minutes to introduce herself to my fiance and I, and maybe she simply didn't have the time then to answer my questions regarding the methadone. Maybe our next appointment will educate me further. I am active in NA, and I also see a substance abuse counsellor twice a month, (in response to Debbie's question). I am confident that I will be successful in my recovery, however, my concern was for the baby's health should I breast feed. I was happy to read that it is possible and actually beneficial for the baby. (ActingBrandNew). Thank you for the prayers and well wishes, as well as all of the information and words of encouragement. <3June 2014<3
thanks for the link evan. i started typing and was away from my computer for a bit.
opiates causes many woman problems with their period, basically stopping it, henceforth problems with conceiving.
congrats on your pregnancy. how far along are you?
you have done awesome on your taper. good for you. it is typically to have to up in dosage when pregnant. it metabolizes faster.
yes the fetus definitely feels the withdrawal.
don't beat yourself over getting pregnant on the methadone. many woman have been pregnant on methadone and had a healthy pregnancy.
yes you will beable to continue your detox after you give birth.
they act
ually use breastfeeding to help the baby with withdrawal after birth. the doctor told you that you cant breastfeed? look up breastfeeding and methadone. it is encouraged to help wean the baby.
are you comfortable with your ob? if not I would look around for another.
do you attend counseling and or support groups ?
I am proud of you for getting your life back together with the methadone program. you are doing it the right way and using it as a tool in recovery.
great job.
stick around there is a lot of support here.
sending prayers and encouragement,
debbie
congrats on your pregnancy. how far along are you?
you have done awesome on your taper. good for you. it is typically to have to up in dosage when pregnant. it metabolizes faster.
yes the fetus definitely feels the withdrawal.
don't beat yourself over getting pregnant on the methadone. many woman have been pregnant on methadone and had a healthy pregnancy.
yes you will beable to continue your detox after you give birth.
they act
ually use breastfeeding to help the baby with withdrawal after birth. the doctor told you that you cant breastfeed? look up breastfeeding and methadone. it is encouraged to help wean the baby.
are you comfortable with your ob? if not I would look around for another.
do you attend counseling and or support groups ?
I am proud of you for getting your life back together with the methadone program. you are doing it the right way and using it as a tool in recovery.
great job.
stick around there is a lot of support here.
sending prayers and encouragement,
debbie
Methadone Breastfeeding Warnings
One study on mother/child pairs receiving medium to high oral dosing reported that the relative infant dose for R- plus S-methadone together was 2.8% (1.7% to 3.9%). Pregnant mothers using methadone should be counseled about the benefits and risks of breast-feeding while using methadone. Counseling should include the following information: 1) The baby receives a small amount of methadone through breast-milk. 2) The baby may experience methadone withdrawal if breast-feeding is discontinued suddenly. Patients discontinuing breast-feeding should develop a plan to wean with the baby's healthcare team. 3) Use of other substances of abuse during breast-feeding will expose the baby to additional risks. Patients who use other substances of abuse should not breast-feed. When starting methadone for the first time or increasing the dose, breast-feeding patients should watch their babies closely for changes in behavior or breathing patterns.
Methadone is excreted into and accumulates in human milk. Excreted methadone may prevent withdrawal symptoms in addicted infants. Methadone is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/methadone.html
One study on mother/child pairs receiving medium to high oral dosing reported that the relative infant dose for R- plus S-methadone together was 2.8% (1.7% to 3.9%). Pregnant mothers using methadone should be counseled about the benefits and risks of breast-feeding while using methadone. Counseling should include the following information: 1) The baby receives a small amount of methadone through breast-milk. 2) The baby may experience methadone withdrawal if breast-feeding is discontinued suddenly. Patients discontinuing breast-feeding should develop a plan to wean with the baby's healthcare team. 3) Use of other substances of abuse during breast-feeding will expose the baby to additional risks. Patients who use other substances of abuse should not breast-feed. When starting methadone for the first time or increasing the dose, breast-feeding patients should watch their babies closely for changes in behavior or breathing patterns.
Methadone is excreted into and accumulates in human milk. Excreted methadone may prevent withdrawal symptoms in addicted infants. Methadone is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/methadone.html
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the forum~ Congrats on your pregnancy!!! Are you comfortable with your OB? Hopefully she will open up and answer some of your questions. You arent a failure at all. You are doing everything you can to make sure the baby is safe. Take some deep breaths and try to relax. We have a couple nurses on here too that will see this and always have good advice. Glad you found us~
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
