labor pain management ?

[ajdevault]

Hello...I am a heroine addict and have been in recovery and clean for over 18 months. I am pregnant 25 weeks day 2. Im nervous about labor and delivery and the chances of relapse. I would love to go natural and pain med free but I know I wouldnt be able to take the pain. My dr said that the epidural is safe cuz it doesnt enter the blood strem..but the meds during labor are not. I was wonder in your opinion what would work out the best for me ?

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

I congratulate you on your pregnancy and certainly on being clean for your baby and yourself. Your doctor is right in saying that epidural will be completely safe for you. You will not relapse because of it. Other medications may be more risky and I would stay away. Just request an early epidural and feel free to explain why. You will only be respected for it. Good luck to you.

[Tifferz14]

I am also a heroin addict have been clean for a little less then a year. I am 13 weeks pregnant and I see an addiction specialist as well as my o.b. there is non-narcotics that you can ask for instead of opioids for pain management. They don't work as well but in my opinion it's better then taking the chance of relapsing. Good luck.