Suboxin and pregnancy

[Jenn4122013]

Hi I'm 29 and expecting my first child in April. I have used drugs in the past like heroin perks vicodine I honestly had a problem and so I thought I fixed it with the NA program and been fine for 5 years I have fallen in hard times (not an excuse) but been really stressed and a friend is prescribed suboxin and she'll give me a few wich I think is better than actually doing pills so I chip at suboxin now and then I'm totally scared on what's happening to my baby and no one knows wich makes it worse I've read that it's fine and I've read it's bad since my obgyn doesn't know im in need of some med advice there's day's I don't have it at all but still think about it and then when I do have it like I said i just chip a peice here and there I just need to know is this ok then actually using my drug of choice I don't plan on doing this my whole pregnancy I believe when things settle down and I'm not so stressed do to family money and facing homelessness and not to mention this was not a planned pregnancy and we broke up 3 weeks before I found out and we're not on good terms I just feel I won't have that urge anymore and I can actually enjoy this pregnancy please anyone with any info would be great and appreciated I just need to know is this ok or am I a complete scumbag????

[Cassie_Gibbs]

I am not a doctor or nurse, but I strongly agree with them. My cousin took suboxone while preg to geat of opiates. She has 4 healthy and beautiful children. Everyone's bodies are different and every child is as well. I think you should not take any kind of drug or substitute for a drug during pregnancy unless okayed by ur OBGYN. Ur doctor must know of what ur taking, how many milligrams, how often, and for how long during ur pregnancy so if  there is any kind of problem with u or ur baby after birth or during pregnancy they can give you both the righy treatments. Good luck to you and I pray you make the right choice.

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

Dear Jenn,
You are definitely not a "scumbag" nor should you ever put yourself down. You are a caring  wonderful young woman who is in difficult situation. If you didn't care and love your baby, you wouldn't be here asking me a question. We make choices in life and you may have made a few wrong ones, but right now you are  ready to start to make the right choices for your baby's sake as well as your own.
It would be best for both you and the baby to be gently tapered off of Suboxone while you are still pregnant, so that you are both drug free by the time of the delivery and your baby will not need to go through any withdrawals at all.  Even though babies have been safely delivered to mothers taking Suboxone and nursed by those mothers while on Suboxone, I still strongly believe, that it would be better for both of you to be drug free at the time of delivery.  
I understand that you may have some discomfort while tapering the Suboxone, I you do have to do it gently. The last taper should be titrated slowly, down to 0.5mg/day, then 0.25mg and if you are still uncomfortable stopping there, half of that.
It sounds to me, though, that you are looking for a permission from me to continue taking the Suboxone. As I said before, it is possible to have a baby while doing that, but you are on a very high dose of Suboxone and there is a likelihood that baby may experience withdrawals, especially if you do not breastfeed.  
Withdrawals from Suboxone are very unpleasant and may keep the baby in the NICU and away from your loving arms for many days.
I suggest that you read my blog on pregnancy and addiction that talks more about it. Click on my name in blue and than "blogs".  
Good luck to you and make sure you discuss all of this with your OB. They must be in the loop on all your medical care. In the mean time it is very important for you to eat healthy, stay hydrated and get regular prenatal care. Good luck to both of you.