taking Lortab and 24 weeks pregnant

[motherforsoon2b3]

I need some help I have been on Lortab 10's for a year now and I about about 24 weeks along now my doctor knows about all of this and still let me stay on them but now he has moved out of the sate to start another office and he will not be back......what i would like to know is that if i just stop taking them could this help the baby? and if i cant get another doc in time for my refill will my withdraw hurt him (the baby)?? I am very worried i dont really know what to do or were to turn..

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

You need to get control of this situation and quick. First, you must realize that you are not the only one in this predicament. We get this question on this forum over and over again from wonderful caring women who want to have healthy babies. Second, you must find another OB/GYN or a midwife group. S/he will not  though you in jail, everything you tell him/her is confidential and they are there to help you and your baby. Ob/GYNs treat many women in exactly the same situation and will be able to refer you to a physician who will be able to manage you on Suboxone or Subutex if you need it.  It sounds that your dependence is not too severe and you may be able to slowly taper it yourself.  The baby will safely "detox" with you and you should not be concerned.  As long as you are not on any narcotics and in withdrawals by the time of delivery, the baby should be born healthy and not in withdrawals as well. You and the doctor will need to work together to aggressively get you off the drugs by the time you are ready to deliver the baby. If you can not tolerate the tapering,  Subutex or Suboxone are the best and safest way to manage addiction during pregnancy.  It allows you to taper yourself safely and quickly off narcotics with minimal withdrawals. Hopefully before at least a good few weeks prior to your delivery, you will be drug free and happily looking forward to a birth a healthy baby.  You need to quit smoking as well, (if you do) because it leads to decreased baby weight and higher incidence of early labor.
Suboxone and Subutex are both commonly used medication to help pregnant addicts stop using and have been found safe to use in pregnancy to help mom stop her addiction.  It is certainly far safer than continuing to use the narcotics.  Please see a new doctor ASAP.   Good luck to you and your baby.

[motherforsoon2b3]

I have hurd that if i just stop all together the baby could seize and maybe even die i dont want this to happen the reason they keep me on the lortab is because i have some kind of sudo tumor pressing on my brain and eyes and is makes it so i cant see very well and i get these headaces that get so bad i cant move or anything PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN I WILL BE OUT OF MY MEDS IN A DAY OR SO.......