Methadone and fetus
Common Questions and Answers about Methadone and fetus
methadose
Most physicians have little to no experience with (or much knowledge of) methadone and how it works and especially methadone and pregnancy. A doctor must hold special licensing to prescribe methadone for opiate addiction, and have the appropriate opiate-substitution training to do so. Therefore, you may not always get the current or correct advice from a general physician or OB-GYN. Your methadone clinic can't steer you to an OB-GYN with the correct addiction training.
I just recently found out I was pregnant. I was already struggling with a 1-3 30mg a day roxy habit. I tried to quit cold turkey but started having cramps on day 2 and after a lot of researching I learned that going cold turkey runs a high risk of miscarriage in the 1st trimester. I wanted to come off safely so I took 10mg of methadone daily for 5 days. I started to feel withdrawals again and got scared so I got 6 more 10mg a few days later and did one a day.
Just found out I'm pregnant and I have been taking 20 to 40mg a day of my husbands methadone. Will it hurt my fetus? I read that it won't but would hurt is if I stopped taking it.
All pregnant opiate-addicted women are advised to take methadone as a part of a medically supervised methadone maintenance treatment program. Methadone is currently the only medication approved for the addiction treatment of pregnant women who are addicted to heroin or other opiates.
The fetus feels withdrawal symptoms during pregnancy.
my wife is 35 she was pregnant w/ twins 3 yrs ago we lost one and our son was born @ 28 weeks he is completely fine she was diagnosed w/ helpp syndrome.... we are now 10 weeks and very aprehensive we are both nervous because of last time......
not necessarily everything that goes in your body crosses that barrier to the fetus.......so Mom can have something in system and not the child. And the actual concentration of a metabolite in breast milk would be very low.... So the counselors most likely do know what they are talking about. Should maybe listen to them.....
Methadone during Pregnancy
Methadone has been intensely studied for more than 50 years, and it is a confirmed safe drug for mother and child during pregnancy. As a long acting opiate, mothers taking methadone maintain a very stable level of the opiate drug in the blood, which spares the fetus the stress of intoxication and withdrawal cycling each day.
I cannot find the exact information but from what I remember seeing in the dosing information on suboxone - they do not exactly know the effects to the fetus and therefore it is not suggested to be taken during pregnancy. I believe subutex is suggested instead of suboxone. Best bet is to talk to your doctor. Really it's is imperative your obgyn knows what's going on.
Hi im 23wks pregnant and im half way through an 8 wk detox off methadone. I changed ova suboxone and im now nearly at the end only ive been reading that i shouldn't even be on this as they dont no the risks while ur pregnant. The other thing is i haven't even told my worker as im so scared that they will get in touch with the cps as they have already taken my other kids off me due to a nasty realtionship.
t beat yourself over getting pregnant on the methadone. many woman have been pregnant on methadone and had a healthy pregnancy.
yes you will beable to continue your detox after you give birth.
they act
ually use breastfeeding to help the baby with withdrawal after birth. the doctor told you that you cant breastfeed? look up breastfeeding and methadone. it is encouraged to help wean the baby.
are you comfortable with your ob? if not I would look around for another.
Hi and welcome. You definitely came to the right place. We have a couple other ladies who just recently found out they were pregnant and I believe they are on methadone. It's kinda slow around right now. Hang tight and I'm sure someone who is or has gone through this will be by to post. You definitely need to talk to your doctor about this. They will be able to give you the best options for you and your baby, and you guys can come up with a plan. I wish you nothing but the best of luck.
s case has reprimanded her on two occasions for her using methadone during pregnacey and even though we have had a methadone counceller and mental health rep. i court she refuses to let them explain the program. My daughter is only allowed three days a week with her daughter under my supervision. We hope to move forward with this and get her daughter back full time in the future.
Standard Protocol
When a pregnant woman wants to detoxify from opiates or other opioids, the recognized standard of care, according to the National Health Institute, is methadone treatment while under a doctor's supervision. Methadone is not known to cause birth defects nor have any long-term affects on a baby.
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks"
Hardly a glowing endorsement there nor is it going to help settle the nerves of any expectant mother.
She should have stayed on the methadone and let the Percocet go. Whatever she does should be done under the care and advisement of her OB but here is some helpful info below that you can present at a dr visit.
Standard Protocol
When a pregnant woman wants to detoxify from opiates or other opioids, the recognized standard of care, according to the National Health Institute, is methadone treatment while under a doctor's supervision.
I agree with Jugglin. Tell your OB and if they wont help you slowly taper then get a new Dr. I wouldn't suggest that you go on Methadone or Subs. What are you currently taking and how much???
I have been using Subutex for 2 months since I found out I was pregnant (now 4 months). I went to detox and was referred to a OB here in KY who could prescribe Subutex. I went today for my weekly appointment and was told my drug screen from last week came back positive for Amphetamines! I have NEVER used amphetamines, Percocet was my drug of choice. I am also taking wellbutrin, robitussin, vicks inhaler, and vistaril.
Acting thank you very much for all of the information, I have looked everywhere trying to figure out what effects C/T would have on the baby and havent found anything. As for the methadone and subutex I really didnt wanna substitute another drug for the percocet I would really rather taper. Is it the physical withdrawal symptoms that are harmful to baby? What if I stop and feel no physical symptoms?
Definitely get into the doctor ASAP, I work with pregnant women at my old rehab clinic, and though opiates are addictive to the fetus, and can be dangerous in large quantities, they will not cause birth defects, etc. Xanax and other benzos are much less safe to take while pregnant, but are also dangerous to come off of cold turkey, so please get into a dr. ASAP! The doctors will understand, so like mary said, don't be afraid to tell them everything.
I'm currently 19 weeks pregnant and been addicted to percocet and norcos for over a year now, I stopped taking them but I feel myself going through withdraw all the time. If I take a norco or a 10 mg percocet once a day. Would I be damaging my child's brain or am I causing developmental issues with the baby? Is the baby fine? Or is my baby going to be born with growth problems or is it going to be missing fingers or toes? Or is its brain not going to be completely developed?
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