addicted

[kelzs]

Okay, I've been an addicted to crackcocaine for 5years my oldest children are15&13.Recently,several mos ago i found out i was pregnant again.I know there's no exscuse seek treatment immediately! however; i didn't!! Now,I've decided to fight,pray & Keep My Baby after being 6 mos pregnant. I'm at a spiritual based 1year program AWESOME PLACE.
Will cocaine in my child's system be present in the fetus still?(preventing me from keeping my child?  

[Ashelen]

Hey congrats for making the right choice..you should be proud that you've cleaned up!

You need to tell your doctor immediately. Unfortunately, most babies who were exposed to crack cocaine in the womb will show some signs of it after birth, whether it's a lower birth weight, breathing issues, shakiness, etc...and chances are your doctor has already figured out that you used at some point. Now....if they have even a smidgeon of a reason to test the baby's meconium (the first poo) and your usage WILL show up, since you continued to use so far into the pregnancy.

BUT..the good news is! that you are clean! and if you tell your doctor that you WERE addicted, but that you have cleaned up your act and want to work with him to make sure the baby is healthy, chances are good that he will work with you and you can avoid any legal trouble. The only thing that your doctor will care about is making sure that you and baby are healthy at delivery; his goal is not to get you in trouble. Since you have made the HUGE and commendable effort of getting clean, it's a good idea to let him know so there are no surprises after delivery, and he can make the appropriate choices to make sure that they are ready when baby gets here in case any problems should arise...as long as you continue to stay clean and receive treatment, he should support you in your efforts and while you can expect that you will be referred to a social worker to manage your treatment and help support you through this, chances are good that if you stay in communication with your doctor and stay clean, you and baby will be able to go home together after delivery.

But it's very important that the doctor knows what's going on; there is no hiding drug use from a meconium test (they can detect all drug use from up to approximately 20 weeks prior to delivery using this method) and many hospitals do newborn drug screens as a standard procedure, so you will be safest being honest with your doctor. If he discovers this nasty 'surprise' after delivery in the form of a positive drug screen, there could be a heap of trouble like Starz described...but as long as he knows that you are clean and making an effort to care for baby, he will work with you towards a healthy delivery.

I spend a lot of time on the Addiction: Substance Abuse forum speaking with addicted pregnant women and mommies because there are so few resources for women in these situations, and I know from countless stories and experiences that your doctor will probably be your best ally here.

Once again..good job on making such a tough move and getting clean for baby...now please speak to your doctor so that you can be sure that you and baby are getting all the proper care and that you can go home together as a family! I wish you the best of luck..please stick around and share the rest of your pregnancy with us!

[Starzabove9]

I used to work for child protective services and a child can be removed even if no drugs are found in the system. If the baby has signs of drug exposure, if the hospital is concerned about drug history and mother's ability to care for the child, if mother is living in a treatment facility.... These are all reasons the hospital will call childrens services to investigate. This does not mean that a child will be removed: however, you have to show clean drug tests, consistency in treatment, and the ability to apropriately care for the baby.

[Stacey91]

Im sure your other babies wilk be happier too :)

[bhb071012]

Kudos for kicking bad habits dear!! =)

[jenjenN86]

Good job stopping! If you stay clean it won't be in the babys system at birth, and the baby wont go through withdrawls. Your baby will only be taken away if it is positive for drugs at birth. Stay in treatment for you and your baby and goid luck!

[Stacey91]

So glad to here u have stopped .. Well done and just keep at it hopefully things will go your way.. Congrats for getting clean

[cutebabygirl]

I think if u stay clean from now on out there's a really good chance u will be able to keep ur baby but u really gotta stick to being clean and sober! Congrats and good luck.