narcotics and pregnancy

[niknurse]

I posted before but didn't get much of a response.  I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking narcotics during entire pregnancy (be it prescribed or not) and what the outcome of the baby was.  Any experience at all.  I've had to be on them for a medical condition and I'm terrified for the baby to be born addicted.  I've heard it totally depends, some are some aren't.  My doctor seems to think the baby will be fine, but that is not good enough for me.  I just want to hear from people that have been or are going through it.  Please any story will be helpful.  

[niknurse]

Thank you everyone for your responses.  I so appreciate your feedback.  Marce4 I just wanted you to know that I do get NST's twice a week since I was 24 weeks.  I have had every test known to man from the perinatologist.  I also get u/s's every 4 weeks to check for growth and other abnormalities.  So far, everything has been perfect. The baby last month was a tad small 36%, but I have Cystic Fibrosis so that is actually good for someone like me.  I have another one tomorrow, so hopefully baby has gained enough weight. IUGR is a concern.  All my docs are aware of my meds, dosage, etc.  They are taking really good care of me.  In fact, my docs even keep each other informed.  For instance my pain doc won't be administering my epidural but he has written instructions on how my pain should be managed in every possible scenario and that my epidural will be administered higher up and if I deliver by c-section, they will keep the epidural going for at least the first 24 hours.  Being opiod tolerant, as you can imagine, makes it very hard to control pain.  So, I just wanted you ease your mind in knowing that your field is taking VERY GOOD care of me.  And the nurses likeyou have been so supportive and helpful.  I think I must just be a paranoid wreck.  
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, it is very helpful.

[kris123]

Also go to the Maternal & Child and post - full of pregnant women and women wanting to get pregnant - great forum - i am on there a lot - good for after you have the baby - all those newborn questions ;)

[kris123]

I took some narcotics while i was pregnant and my son is fine go to www. safefetus .com had to put spaces - look up the med name and it will tell you the class of the drug - class A is proven to ok, then there is B little chance of hurting fetus,  class C it is not known if it effects the fetus or not, it hasn't been proven and it has not - class D is harmful and can hurt fetus - i took a class C while pregnant as well as some narcotics - my son is fine and has no problems - that is my experience

[jamielee55]

I have. I took oxycontin through my pregnancy, nobody knew. I was terrified to tell anyone and terrified to stop because I heard withdrawl would kill the baby. So I lowered my dose extremly. And when I had my beutiful son Nathan,  he had a bowel movemoent while he was still in my stomach, I think it was called mucosum or something like that, and he got an infection from that so he had to stay in the hospital for a week, which, I think was a blessing in disguse. They say that just happens it had nothing to do with the narcotics. But I was somewhat relived he had to stay in the hospital so he could be closly monitered. They never said nothing about him going thought withdrawls at the time, but I told my doctor everything like a week later and she said she belived he was going though a very mild withdrawl. And thank god nothing terrible happened but I should have told them everything right away. He is now three and a half years old, and he is perfect. I do belive he is hyper active and I don't know if that is from the narcotics. But other than that he is great. If I could turn back time I would have went to the doctor and told them everything. I am just grateful, in a way, that he stayed in a hospital for a week. Because if anything would have went wrong. I just think you should tell your doctor everything, and take their advice, whatever it may be. Good Luck!!!

[Marce4]

I gotta say that I am truly surprised that none of the preganant women that are addicts have  been advised by there OB's to pursue any typed of Prenatal Testing.  I am an RN and work in Prenatal Testing and L&D....The test is so non-invasive and simple that I would think more women would be going through this. It consists of a Non-Stress Test which is simply putting mom on an external monitor...l.isten to the heartbeat and looking for things in the heartrate that reassures everyone or a Biophysical Profile which is more extensive testing done under Ultrasound.  Chances are that your baby will be fine but I agree with the other posts that everyone is different and you just don't know.  

WIth that said, I just want you to know that I would be the last to judge you as I am also a nurse and can't believe I've become an addict!!!!!  Just be sure that everyone involved in the delivery of your baby is aware of the amount and drug that you are taking.  They are not there to judge you either....just to give you and your baby the best and most effective care available!  

My prayers are with you for a healthy child!
Marcie

[Firefaery1023]

To be honest, I took pain killers throughout my entire pregnancy.  I cut back a lot and worried everyday what might happen to my son but he was born extremely healthy.  If your ob know that you are on them and says that it is ok, take them only when you need them.  DO NOT ABUSE THEM!!!  They are very addictive and you could end up with a problem not just your baby.