Narcotic Pain meds and Pregnancy

[laibel]

I just found out I am pregnant and I've been on Narcotic Pain Meds for a while.  I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back.  Is this harmful the baby? (Methadone Percocepts)??

Thank u

[cpatow]

during my last pregnancy I had a blood clot which was extremely extremely painful. I was on vicodin until they diagnosed the clot and then once in the hospital, while pregnant, they had me on percocet but VERY monitored. Interestingly, my son breathing portion of APGAR was slightly lower. He's fine now but after reading what Patty posted above I bet that was the connection and it was doc judgment call on my well-being at the time knowing what potential effect on baby was. Key is that I was hospitalized the entire time. Definitely talk to your OB. I know that herniated discs are excrutiating but there may be something better / safer for pregnancy, especially since pregnancy may even make it worse.

Congrats and good luck.

[pcarsey]

First of all, Congrats on being pregnant!!

Here is what I found on the medicines you mentioned...

Methadone
Risk Category  B*
* Controlled studies done on animals in reproduction do not indicate risk to the fetus.
* No adequate and well-controlled studies done on pregnant women.

The risk category will be D only if used for prolonged period or in high doses at term.
*  No association with congenital defects reported.
* Maternal addiction causes neonatal withdrawal, jaundice sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) thrombocytosis, increased still birth rate unknown long term effects of maternal addiction on the behavior and development of their children.

*Percocet
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproductive studies have not been conducted with PERCOCET. It is also not known whether PERCOCET can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. PERCOCET should not be given to a pregnant woman unless in the judgment of the physician, the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards.
Nonteratogenic Effects

Opioids can cross the placental barrier and have the potential to cause neonatal respiratory depression. Opioid use during pregnancy may result in a physically drug-dependent fetus. After birth, the neonate may suffer severe withdrawal symptoms.
Labor and Delivery

PERCOCET tablets are not recommended for use in women during and immediately prior to labor and delivery due to its potential effects on respiratory function in the newborn.
Nursing Mothers

Ordinarily, nursing should not be undertaken while a patient is receiving PERCOCET tablets because of the possibility of sedation and/or respiratory depression in the infant. Oxycodone is excreted in breast milk in low concentrations, and there have been rare reports of somnolence and lethargy in babies of nursing mothers taking an oxycodone/acetaminophen product. Acetaminophen is also excreted in breast milk in low concentrations.


In light of that information, I think I would stop taking them immediately and talk to your OB doctor. A good website that tells you what medicines are safe during pregnancy is:
http://www.safefetus.com/index.htm


Good Luck
Patty