Suboxone pregnancy experiences?

[SocialAnonymous]

Hi. I was reading a lot of the forums on here and came across a lot of women who are currently pregnant and on suboxone  or struggling with substance abuse issues. I have been on suboxone for about 3 years and got pregnant accidentally but through discussing it with my fiance we chose to keep the baby... I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and have done everything by the book and then some.

I was extremely hesitant to tell my OBGYN that I take suboxone. Long story short my other physician whos been prescribing me suboxone did it for me by contacting my OBGYN since I had given them my OBGYN's information and when my OBGYN approached me about it I finally fessed up. I told my OBGYN the reason I did not want to tell him is because I felt uncomfortable because of all the stereotypes associated with opiate addiction and didn't want to be discriminated against or thought of differently.

After telling him I found out that when a woman is pregnant and on suboxone they legally have to report it and I'll be expecting a visit from social services to top it off. Also because I take suboxone they now are going to drug test my newborn's poop. We've discussed my dosage which is 8mg once daily and they've dealt with other suboxone pregnancies and NONE of their babies had experienced any withdrawals and they were all on the same dosage as me. My entire pregnancy has been extremely healthy and I've had absolutely no issues. All my prenatal visits have been great and my baby is above average size in his development according to the ultrasounds.

I love my baby so much and understand they have a job to do but I feel very hurt and offended that they are going to drug test my newborns meconium and contact social services after I've been honest with them and explained why I hesitated to tell them about taking suboxone at first...They know my baby is going to a good home and a good mother they've met my family I've shown them pictures from my baby shower and my babies finished nursery...I guess I feel a little betrayed and discriminated against because everyone was so nice until they found out I am a recovering addict...this is exactly what I was scared of.

I have done a lot of research and read up on state laws and in my state drug testing is not mandatory and according to the US department of health and human services this is an inappropriate situation to drug test a newborn in.

I am worried that they will drug test my newborn and get a false positive or social services will treat me unfairly because of my past. I feel I am too late in my pregnancy to get a new physician and am not going to risk a home birth for fear of my babies safety..also I am scared that another physician would do the same thing especially if I were to get a new doctor this late in my pregnancy..

Anyone ever been through this?? Advise appreciated??

[JMArsenault1982]

Listen you can't help being an addict on Suboxone but I'd they just take you off the drug you and the baby are addicted too it'll kill the baby to much stress so doctors are suppose to put you on subutex but a higher dose because the baby is taking it from you. Look it up its true I got friends who have been pregnant on Suboxone and either on methadone so I know. Good luck Subutex dont got the narcan to risk withdrawals and to much stress. You'll be ok but you have to be honest but  Ii think child services gets involved stay on Suboxone afterwards seek psychiatric help and dont **** up you can keep your baby those things look good taking care of your problem the right way plus your submitting urine's and talking to doctors child services can check up on you its the smart way to do it. Any other questions let me know hun

[annabelle825]

I am 37 weeks pregant and my OB knows I am on suboxone as well.  Today at my family doctor we talked about what could happen to my son once his is born in regards to withdrawals and he strongly suggested that I nurse my son (which I had plan on doing anyway).  This is my 6th child and never had to deal with this before.  
I am courious to know how did things turn out for you?  I am a good mother and take care of my kids, its just in the past 3 years I didn't take care of myselft.  I thought I was helping my self by being on the suboxones, but now I am having a baby, I am not so sure anymore.  
Please anything you can share would be most hepful.
Thankyou

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

You asked your question in the Addiction Expert forum, so I will answer it as best as I can. You might also want to read my blog that I wrote to specifically address issues of addiction and pregnancy.
You are absolutely right, testing your baby's meconium for opiates is ridiculous exercise since everyone involved already knows that the tests will come back positive. What are they trying to prove? That you were using the dug that you already admitted to using?
The social services visit may be out of their hands. They maybe obligated by law to involve them with every mom who is on opiates, and whether you want to admit it or not, Suboxone is still an  opiate even though legally prescribed. I am sure that when the social worker sees that you are cooperative, stable and on the way to being drug free, she  will be more than happy to let you be. The never want to separate babies from parent unless there is an absolute necessity.
Try to have a plan formulated of how you going to get drug free, because they are going to want to know that. You are the one who will have to be the parent for the amazing new life, so have a clear idea of how you are going to become the best parent, aka human being, you can possibly be.
Good luck to you.