pregnancy pain meds - healthy baby??

[ABliske]

I am on MS Contin and 2.5 months pregnant. It has been approved by 2 doctors. My ob said that I should expect for the baby to be in the NICU for a while to detox from it. That has me really freaked out!
Has anyone else had a baby after taking vicotin, methodone, or MS Contin during the pregnancy? I would love to hear how the baby did post delivery. My OB will not even give us an estimate of how long the baby might be in the hospital - 2 days, 2 weeks. She was just trying to tell us everyone is different. I'd feel more comfortable if I knew of some personal experienced.

[tigger_gal]

I am not a doctor, and I know these are prescribed meds, but what he is sayng is you may be bringing a drug addicted baby into the world.
Every one I knew that had a baby did not take narcotic drugs.
maybe you can wenn off them and take something not so strong that would affect the baby.

[Claredale]

Is Lortab bad to take during pregnancy? I know my prescription info suggests not to take it unless directed by your doctor.

[ABliske]

I'd go off them if I could, but I have a very severe case. I went to a high risk pregnancy specialist before I even thought about conceiving because I knew I'd be in unbearable pain without anything.
I am hoping against hope that I go into remission as I start the second trimester. I will get off them ASAP if it's at all possible.
As it is, they last 12 hrs and can barely get me through the day. I take only 1 per day no matter what. My OB suggested cutting them in half if I can tolerate the pain in that dose.

[dancemomof2]

I too have severe IC and seen high risk OB's through my entire pregnancy and delivery. I was only aloud Percocets on an as needed basis and only on my I just can't handle it any longer days. THat is just to prove how every Dr does things differently. I had a very miserable long pregnancy as you can read in my patient story below. So you go by your Dr's advice and also maybe make an appointment with a neonatologist to discuss this issue with them, they will be the ones handling your babies care and can answer more of your questions.

[BBB]

I am a Mom of a 5 year old and a 3 year old. Both of my children are healthy, happy and very beautiful. They thrive, learn and grow everyday.

I took Lortab during my pregnancy with my daughter (the 5 year old) and Lortab and Demerol with my son (the 3 year old). I went to a specialist who works with OBs and pain mediciation for women during pregnancy who must take these drugs. My Doctor said it was fine. He also said the pain and high blood pressure I would have not taking them would be harder on the baby then the medicine.

Neither of my babies were born "addicted" which should really say dependent. They had no issues and no withdrawls. Now they were still probably getting some through my breast milk but I only breastfeed for 4 weeks with the oldest and 3 weeks with the youngest. They were good babies. They both wieghed over 8 lbs.

I too struggled over taking pain meds while pregnant. I am in no way a doctor and am not an authority. I only have my experience and education from other women who took them while pregnant. You would be surprised to find out how many women take pain meds.

[LeeAnn]

My OB told me I could take a narcotic if I really needed to. I find that I'm able to control my IC w/ what I'm currently on. ABliske--I did feel better once I hit the 2nd trimester. Actually, I think for me the worst time was the first eight weeks of pregnancy and then I started feeling better----and I didn't even know I was pregnant at the time. I only know what my pain levels were early in the pregnancy b/c since this past March I keep fairly detailed records of what meds I'm on and what my pain and frequency are like.

Anyway, my OB told me that he would prefer that if I *did* choose to use narcotics that I would try to go without them if at all possible for the last month of pregnancy. His logic was that the baby would be "weaned" off them in utero where we don't have to listen to them cry and be fussy constantly---b/c mother's who go right up to delivery on narcotics have fussy babies. He didn't use the word "withdrawal" or "wean them off" but I can't remember what he called it. He assured me that regardless of my decision to stop at 8 months or not, the baby would be totally healthy and that it would not develop abnormally. He said that the baby *might* need "closer supervision" right after birth to ensure it's respirations are normal, only b/c narcotics can slow the breathing. But I got the idea it wasn't a concern to him like the "fussy" baby potential was. His logic was that a fussy baby can make everyone frazzled and it would make for a more difficult transition into motherhood whereas the "close supervision" would be very temporary. Even still, he was very adamant that I understood that taking narcotics would not harm the baby's development. He was more concerned about an antibiotic I took for 3 days in July, let's put it that way!!!

Taking narcotics as prescribed under the care of a doctor is not the same as snorting coke although some people seem to think the end result is the same. It isn't. I'm w/ Betsy, if you need these meds to feel good---and it sounds like you do---then you should take them and not let anyone make you feel bad about it. They don't have IC and they can't imagine how miserable this disease can be.

[hdb1982]

I am trying to conceive and my uro told me in his x amount of years practicing he has seen women take pain meds the entire pregnancy everyday and have perfect pregnancies, deliveries, and babies. He has seen a few miscarriages while mothers were on narcotics but he feels there were other factors that made them miscarry other medical issues, not the painmeds. He said the stress of pain on the unborn baby is much more damaging then the pain meds. He said of course ideally they want patients as medicine free as possible during pregnancy but people need to be realistic. His theory is why make patients suffer when there is no scientific data proving it harms the baby. It just says there isn't any evidence either way. Our plan with me if I get pregnant is to try to go off them if I feel I am able, if not we will get a medicine and strength that makes the pain tolerable. then if possible the last month slowly taper each few days until i am medicine free the last week of pregnancy, IF POSSIBLE, if the pain is still too bad at the end we can stay onthem and just watch the baby closer when delivered. He also said if I decide to come off them he will admit me to the hospital for a few days to do a "safe medical detox" because I have been on them for a long time and it will cause to me withdrawl wich is very stressful especially very early in pregnancy. He said he isn't suggesting this because I am an addict but my body has a dependency on the drug. He suggested tapering me off but I told him the day I find out I am pregnant I want to stop all medications and see if I can have a drug free pregnancy. Because that is what we all want but no one knows what it's like to walk in your shoes and deal with what you deal with everyday. So don't let people judge you. Do what you and your doctors feel is best. I have also consulted with regular OB and High Risk OB, my uro and my primary dr and they all have agreed this is a great plan and if we hit any bumps along the way we will deal with them then. I am glad that I have got a great dtaff f doctors who were willing to work out this plan before I even became pregnant. I am still not, but it is nice to know the game plan so when God decides the time is right I know what my options are.

[ihurttoo]

I took Phenegrin the WHOLE Time with mine, and Meperghan-Fortis for the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. (That's Demeral and Phenegrin.) He was 9lbs 7 1/2 oz with apgars of all 10s and that was with me having Lupus, severe Toxemia, high blood pressure, IC, kidney problems, and having a C-section!!!
(And no, I didnt wean off it...I couldnt!) But, no, he wasnt in NICU, and no, he wasnt a fussy baby either, nor was he born dependant, (amazingly!) He DID however want to EAT the house down! (I dont know if that had anything to do with anything or not!) One thing though...I couldnt breastfeed b/c of the meds! Just warning ya, if that's important to you!

[mimimama]

Hi ladies,

the best way to help your newborn if you've been on narcotics throughout your pregnancy is by nursing the baby. I did this with my son who is now 4 and a half and happy, healthy, perfect. The breast milk will let your baby wean off naturally, no withdrawl, and you will connect with your child in the most amazing way, not to mention that breastmilk is THE BEST for you and baby to recover after surgery and delivery and it gives baby everything it needs. Npo formula can duplicate the wonders of breastmilk. I am not knocking anyone who doesn't nurse. There are certain sitauations that may arise where you are not able to nurse but I am a very strong advocate for nursing and it's wonders.

As you wean your baby from nursing, he will also slowly wean off the meds you take and if you have questions, google Dr. Thomas Hale who is an expert in nursing while on meds. The studies have been done and it is safe. Discuss this with your doctor.:)

[ICNDonna]

This question is best answered by each person's individual physician. Not everyone will react to pain medications in the same way. Yes it's "possible" for a baby to be born with an addiction, but this is something that can be dealt with if you are working with your physician on your medications.

Donna

[BBB]

Agreed Donna. I am just happy to fullfill her request of "real life" experiences and not book education. I have to laugh at the other two who said their babies chowed, chowed. Oh....so cute. I remember my Dean and he would make the most satisfied sounds!!:smile tee
Betsy

P.S. In order to initiate change within the medical community, I think we, as an association and individually, should come together on a term. When referring to what happens to a person who takes pain medication, as prescribed by their Doctor, over a period of time is dependant and not ADDICTED! If you look up addicted in the dictionary it is not represenative of those who take medication to treat a disease.

I really like to use the word dependant and not addicted. For me, addicted does not fit and invites images of icky Doctors. Do you all think should we agree to try to update our vocabulary?

Thank you!

[hdb1982]

I hate the word ADDICTED it means we are not using them as prescribed. I agree we should all use dependant not addicted.

[ABliske]

Thank you ladies! I just printed some of these personal experience to show my husband. We had a big fight last night about me taking MS Contin. I take 1/day when I have been prescribed 2 by my uro (who knows I'm pregnant). I also saw a high risk pregnancy specialist who approved it. He did say in a letter though that I should try to get off it in my 3rd trimester. I already got off of Effexor which had been approved. There is just no getting my husband to understand.
He even said I shouldn't take any cough drops last night because the package said consult your physician if your pregnant. So, you can imagine what morphine is like in his mind. I am hurting because I didn't take one today. I feel miserable. I'm also getting a bad cold and my head hurts from crying so much last night.
Hopefully, he'll be able to understand a little more after he looks at all the info I'm printing today.

[LeeAnn]

ABliske--I'm sorry you're having to make such an effort to get your husband on board w/ your decisions. Cough drops though? Sheesh!! It made me realize how lucky I am that my husband is in the medical field and that he understands everything already and that he is comfortable w/ the meds I'm on. As a matter of fact, he helped ease my mind w/ regards to what meds I decided to stay on (with the advice of my doctor). Our IC is hard enough to deal with without having to defend our decisions to the people we love and need support from. I think you have a good plan by printing this all out and showing it to your husband. I wish you the best and that he jumps on board (quickly!). And congratulations!! What is your due date again?

[laura dove]

My pain doctor says that the stress that occurs when you are
in pain is WAY worse for the baby than the opiates. There is
a great article about him, pain management, and a pregnant
patient in the Washington Post. If you google Dr. Heit and
Washington Post, you will find it. I think it will make both you
and your husband feel better.It will take you 5 minutes. I only wish I had known about this when I was pregnant and suffering.

Good luck!!!!!

[Braedley]

ABilske-my husband has been worried about little things too :o)

we made the choice to stay on my meds during the pregnancy as well and i'm glad i have-i only take Elavil 50mg/night and tylenol arthritis for my pain management but still, you worry about these things affecting the baby...

I called our local resources to ask about cough drops a few weeks ago as I had developed bronchitis/sinus infection...they had told me that where the eucalyptus oils/mint oils were acting locally that they were safe to use to soothe my throat...

gargling w/warm salt water is good too, and spoonfuls of honey coat it!
good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!!

[vtcurtis]

With my daughter I started having contractions at 24 weeks just after I was diagnosed with kidney stones. I was admitted to the hospital for four days and they gave me a morphine drip. When I was sent home I was given percocet and vicodin for a few weeks. The contractions went away for a while and then when I hit 30/32 weeks they came back. I couldn't sleep at night and I had three false alarms (contractions 5 minutes apart and stabbing pains). I was given percocet again to take pretty much every night until my daughter was born on her due date - c section.

I discussed everything with my doctor, we asked about how safe it was. She showed us a book that tells you exactly what the risk is on a fetus with every medication. It might be worth it to show the book to your husband. I'm sure every OB's office has one. I think they rate things at an A - D scale with A being Tylenol.

My daughter is perfect (I think anyway), I nursed her until she was 9 months and she was a wonderful baby (most of the time). She's now nearly 2. I put a lot of trust in doctors though.

[melanie626]

Hi-
I just had my baby and took many meds, inc narcotics through the entire pregnancy. I had very frank conversations with my OB, perinatologist, pediatrician and we all knew what to look for when the baby was born as well as treating my pain with a special plan as I knew I wasnt' just going to be the "cookie cutter" delivery. It was a ton of work to get everyone on board, but it went really well when I did. Please let me know if I can help. The best decision is finding a team that will work WITH you and your needs for YOUR pregnancy- it is rough and we all gotta get through it! Just don't let anyone make you feel bad for asking for what you need for yourself.

CHeers-
Melanie