pregnancy and pain killers?

Question

I am 38 weeks pregnant and my Ob prescribed me percocet for kidney stones. I passed the stone today so I wont be needing the pain killers anymore. But i don't want my baby to have this in his system when he's born. Should it be all cleaned out by the time he arrives?

Ashelen · Answer

I agree 100% that you'll be just fine and so will baby. I had to take painkillers during both pregnancies (for kidney stones, when I was pregnant with my daughter! I sympathize so much with your pain! I had to have surgery at 34 wks to remove 2 stones that were stuck...owch!) and with my daughter I was able to wean off completely before delivery but with my son I had to continue to take meds up until delivery and he was born completely healthy and without any sort of withdrawals. In fact, I know many many women on this site who have had to take painkillers during pregnancy (many for the entire pregnancy!) and none of them have had issues with a newborn going through withdrawals, so I think the odds are in your favor.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns; they are ALWAYS your best resource :-).

brigadiva · Answer

I had severe renal colic during each of my three pregnancies (2001, 2006 & 2010). I took prescription pain meds as needed to manage the pain, which they say is comparable to that of stones, so I sympathize with you there. I was on percocet, demerol, and other meds and my babies all were fine!  So you should have no worries. Whether the baby has the narcotics in his/her system at birth would depend on how long you took them for and what dosage.

JoyRenee · Answer

Oh my gosh I cannot imagine having a kidney stone on top of being pregnant! They say no pain can compare to labor except kidney stones. I think the only issue with pain killers during pregnancy is the issue of whether or not to wean off of them at all.

Since you passed the stone you should call your doctor and let them tell you what would be best. Some say weaning or stopping cold turkey while pregnant can cause baby to go into withdrawal and that can be serious without being able to monitor baby. So you really do need to get your own doctor's advice. 

And since they prescribed it and knew you were pregnant I don't see there being an issue of the L&D ward thinking you're a druggie, if that is your concern. Be open and honest about it and make sure your doctor lets the staff know about it in advance!

Alisonj29 · Answer

He should be fine. Glad you passed the stone and are better now

skheavner · Answer

Actually narcotic medications are not harmful for your baby, if prescribed by a doctor and you are monitored.  The only risk for baby is neonatal withdraw and with the short does you took it shouldn't be a problem.  The medicine should pass within 48hrs. so as long as you don't have the baby today or tomorrow you should be fine.  If the baby does come sooner make sure you breastfeed as the medicine will be in the milk and help your baby ween off it.

Don't worry about what anyone else says.  There is a lot of misconception on this subject and many will say all medicine is bad for baby.  I have a genetic disease and just had a baby (she is 2 months old now) and I was on narcotic pain medication for my whole pregnancy.  I met with a lot of doctors had a lot of monitoring and even considered being in agony my whole pregnancy if it was better for the baby.  The truth is that the pain would stress out the baby while the medication would not harm her.  She is perfectly healthy!