36 weeks pregnant & in a conundrum over percocet addiction

[Jlynn72]

Can anyone out there help me? I am 36 weeks pregnant. If I come clean to my OB tomorrow about a percocet addiction I had and the suboxone I took to try to get clean, can CPS step in?  Will I be made to take classes of some sort?? What will happen?? I am no longer on anything. Also I live in PA.   Should I not say anything, I didn't go thru any withdrawals. I'm not due for another 4 weeks.

[nursegirl6572]

Great job!  Good for you for doing the right thing!  I'm sure everything will be fine!

It's sad when a Mom tries to skirt the system...a lot of people think if they have been clean for a certain amount of time, they are in the clear.  Not many people realize they can do tests (on baby) that will determine drug use for most of the pregnancy if needed.  I know a lot of it is fear, but there's just no way chances should be taken with something like that.

Congrats on your bundle of joy....don't forget to get an aftercare plan in  place, meetings, etc.  Not only will it be valuable to you SHOULD any authority get involved, but it's important for you to have a long term recovery plan in place to help you STAY clean.   You will be at high risk for relapse once the baby is born.  That is seen SO much.  You will be stressed, won't be pregnant anymore, it will be tough.  That's why you need a good recovery plan, with people you can turn to in those rough moments.

Take care!

[VICourageous]

What a nice post. I just want to congratulate on all your courage and strength through this all. I bet you have a great Big Weight Lifted. Now we all on here are going to have another MH Baby. You make sure you put in a Pic for all of us to see. OK? I wish you & the baby very much happiness in your new life!!
Bless

[clean_in_ks]

You done good girl.....so HAPPY for you and your little one!!

Honesty is so freeing....and refreshing....so PROUD of you today!!!

Be sure to stay in touch and let us know about this new precious one you will be delivering, ok?

[Jlynn72]

I certainly will. Thanku so much Vicki. Haha I have been doing so much research on this for the past few weeks, I've read so many posts and I kno that u are a nurse and have been commenting and helping women for years now. So I just want to say thanku for continuing to share your concerns and care.

[vicki595]

You ARE a great and brave Mom!!  What you did was perfect and now you can rest easy.  I think the fact that you had no wd's is important; it helps the case for the baby not having ill effects.

Good luck with the next month and keep us posted on how you're doing. So proud of you...

[Jlynn72]

Well I'd really like to thank everyone. Honestly. If not for the reassurance and advice, I couldn't of done it. Today I told my Ob about my problem. It was probably one of the hardest and scariest things I ever had to do. I had a complete anxiety attack in the room while waiting. As soon as she came in it was the first thing that came out of my mouth. I knew if I didn't do it right away, I would never. It was also pretty hard bc I go to a clinic where I see a different doc each time. So I knew I had never met her. She came in the room and the first thing I thought was great, she's young. Not what I wanted.  Any way she was not judgmental. Very calm about it actually. Said that I shouldn't worry and baby shouldn't be addicted if I went full term. As long as i stayed clean now. Said that if I did happen to go early, doctors kno what to do if she is going thru withdrawal. Wasn't too worried about monitoring me. Simply bc I was clean for five days and didn't have any withdrawal. Said
They will more than likely do a urine test on me and my daughter when I'm admitted. And as far as CPS goes, she really didn't think (at that Hosp ) that CPS gets a call even if baby is going thru withdrawal. As long as mom is clean. So just to reassure me, she did a urine drug test on me today and will every week till I deliver just to prove I am clean and to save my butt.  Now since she was not that experienced, she could be wrong, I kno. But it still gives me peace of mind knowing I'll be giving clean tests and also that I got it off my chest. Oh yea, she did also say it was really good I came clean bc IF baby was addicted, they'd test her and it would look so bad and everyone would kno I was hiding this.   So if anyone out there is like me and is freaking out bc u don't kno what to do, and are scared.  Listen to what everyone is saying, speak up and be honest.  Ull feel SO much better. I promise. Even tho I can't foresee the future, and I really can't say 100% that CPS won't get involved or my baby won't be born early and or addicted, I can proudly say, I feel better about myself and for the first time in nine mos, I can say I feel like a mom !! :-)

[ariley13]

You're welcome sweetie. I know this has to be very scary. I also know how hard it is when you feel like you're disappointing your loved ones. Give them some time to process this, and I'm sure they will be proud of you and your decision.

[Jlynn72]

Thanku thanku thanku I needed to hear that

[ariley13]

It really all depends on how baby is doing. If baby has withdrawl symptoms, then yes they will keep baby for observation and treatment. I know this is scary. You don't just have yourself to think about any more. Please don't risk this. Honesty is the only valid option right now. Worst case scenario, if you are honest, is they might do a home visit to make sure the home is safe. Think about how you and your family would feel if you didn't speak  up and either something happened to baby, or CPS got involved and you lost your child. Your family might be a little hurt and upset at first, but they will get over it. Please, please really think about this. Do some soul searching and make the right decision for you and your baby.

[Jlynn72]

Wow. I'm relieved to hear all this yet so scared to fess up. I definitely am tho. I can't risk it. I'm just so nervous. I don't want my family to kno. They have been SO proud of me thinking I'm clean this whole time. They'll be so disappointed.  If baby is ok, any way my family won't find out. I mean isn't that against HIPPA? Would they keep baby in the Hosp longer to monitor???

[LeaAnn807]

It all depends on when this happened that you got clean.  Nothing should show on a drug test, so I am not sure why CPS would get in that?  But.....trying to figure out a way to fool the system wouldn't be good.  It's best to involve your OB no matter WHAT!  Your baby could have serious problems at birth from your drug abuse and subsequent use of suboxone to detox OR your baby could be perfectly healthy!  The way I see it, you have to come clean.  If they suspect ANYTHING at birth, they could do a hair follicle test on you.  That goes back WAY farther than any blood or urine test that they do at birth.  You have to be honest with your doc, honey.  Really!

[vicki595]

I recently read a news story about a woman in PA who had her baby taken by CPS prior to discharge. The woman had tested positive for codeine which she denied using...it turns out it was a false positive BUT some stern action was taken.  The baby was returned after 5 days and the hospital has since changed their policy.  

This just illustrates how sensitive the system is...I would tell your OB for a couple of reasons. One being you don't want to test positive for opiates or have the meconium test positive.  The other reason is because it sounds like you stopped the meds abruptly and that can be dangerous...

[ariley13]

You need to involve your OB doctor in this. The best thing that you can do for you and your baby is be 100% honest. Do not try to quit cold turkey. It could be very dangerous to your baby. If you are open and honest with your doctor, everything should be fine. If you try to hide this and they find out, then you will have a major issue with CPS. Good luck to you. Please take care of yourself and your baby.