On and Off Heroin, 23 weeks pregnant... Need Advice!

[missnikkimay]

So I am 23 weeks and 5 days, giving birth to a beautiful baby boy Feb 22,2017. My first child. I've been off and on heroin during my pregnancy. I have never injected it, but I smoked it up to 3 times a day and very occasionally did a line for a over month. At the most I've done 3 or 4 small lines during the period of my pregnancy drug abuse. I stopped about a week ago because the guilt was really eating me alive knowing that I was ruining the baby's chance away at being healthy. Knowing how terrible of mother I am already for putting this loving child in this kind of ordeal. I don't ever want to touch this stupid drug for as long as I live, especially for the well being of this baby... Anyways, I've been taking less than a mg of suboxone each day (not prescribed), and I need to know... what the hell do I do? How long do I keep taking this amount of suboxone? Will someone please share with me their experience of this similarity? I'm freaking out and I don't want my precious gift to experience withdrawals and be taken away from me. I live in Georgia and i don't know what the laws or regulations are here so I'm hesitating on telling my doctor because I definitely know I should. I just want to know what im walking myself into and what's the worse outcome for us. I need advice. Anything helps

 

[Jabberwocky]

Be careful, unfortunately states in the south have very draconian laws regarding having children taken away at birth for women who test positive for illegal, and sometimes even prescribed, narcotics. I don't know specifically if this is the case in Georgia. I would try to talk to a lawyer about this issue in your state ob ways to protect yourself (entering a form of treatment will likely help your cause, but again you really should discuss this with someone who specializes in it in your state).

Your best bet is getting on Subutex or methadone until you come to term if you do not feel it is realistic for you to abstain until then. You should not be taking Suboxone because the naloxone in it is a known teratogren (substance that causes malformation to the fetus). You can get rushed into methadone as a pregnant woman and I believe buprenorphine prescribers will also take you on an emergency basis.

What kind of support do you have in your life? Does your partner or family any idea what you are going through or are you having to do this on the hush hush?

 

[cj]

And update, things went great with the maternal fetal specialist. Us looked perfectly normal showing no abnormalities! Also, the doctor was very kind and understanding about addiction. He himself struggles with food. He did tell me oxycodone or subutex lil guy will have withdrawals but that their hospital deals,with it all the time and will keep him comfortable. I have horrible guilt about this. Thats why im pushing to see the addiction specialist and subutex. I know i can get lower on the subutex than my oxycodone prescription, which, i really cant get lower on. I was already doing way stronger stuff and,more and just staying at my prescribed dose right now is not comfortable, but, i am not sick and just thinking about my lil guy. Its way more real now that he,is making himself,known in there.

Its better to let the hospital taper him after birth when he isn't so vulnerable. Withdrawals and a taper is just controlled withdrawal will put tons of stress on your body and by extension the child. Listen to the Pros and leave well enough alone. A relapse is just way to risky right now. Stay comfortable and take care of yourself. You have the rest of your life to beat yourself over the what ifs. Just do the best you can today and things will go ok.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Nice advice cj. I keep telling ya you know what you've got a good head on your shoulders, even with the tough times you're currently going through.

 

[missnikkimay]

Be careful, unfortunately states in the south have very draconian laws regarding having children taken away at birth for women who test positive for illegal, and sometimes even prescribed, narcotics. I don't know specifically if this is the case in Georgia. I would try to talk to a lawyer about this issue in your state ob ways to protect yourself (entering a form of treatment will likely help your cause, but again you really should discuss this with someone who specializes in it in your state).

Your best bet is getting on Subutex or methadone until you come to term if you do not feel it is realistic for you to abstain until then. You should not be taking Suboxone because the naloxone in it is a known teratogren (substance that causes malformation to the fetus). You can get rushed into methadone as a pregnant woman and I believe buprenorphine prescribers will also take you on an emergency basis.

What kind of support do you have in your life? Does your partner or family any idea what you are going through or are you having to do this on the hush hush?

i really appreciate your reply to my post, thank you so much. Considering Ga is under the bible belt, I figured the law was more strict around here. So you think i should talk to a lawyer and get on subutex or methadone? I cannot afford a lawyer at this time because we're struggling with my boyfriend's court case, and money is running low. I feel like I'm pretty much at a dead end.. Do you think theres a large chance the baby will experience withdrawals?

Not really, only my partner knows, but i dont think he fully understands how serious the situation is. He believes the sooner i quit everything, the better the chances are for the baby. But no one in my family or his family knows about my drug abuse. Theyre super religious and it makes me feel uncomfortable to discuss this with them.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Getting on and off opioids abruptly is more dangerous for your baby than anything, so you want to avoid the ups and downs of having to deal with the stresses of real life and trying to maintain abstinence AND dealing with your pregnancy coming to term.

You definitely want to look into Subutex or methadone and get off the Suboxone and onto one of those two medications ASAP. Your baby will likely experience a degree of neonatal abstinence syndrome, but it can be easily and safely managed at the neonatal unit at the hospital, and there is always the chance all the infant will need is your breast milk with the small amount of opioids that transfers through that in order to stabilize. Just make sure you find yourself a good hospital that is on board with helping you do this ASAP, as soon as you get yourself properly prescribed Subutex or methadone. Your prescribing doctor or clinic can help you vhoose the best hospital to deliver at.

Regardless, you want to do all of this under a doctor's care with them knowing exactly what is going on ASAP.

Can you speak to your partners attorney about your situation, just to see what they think? Is it a PD or private attorney?

 

[Jabberwocky]

I posted this in another thread on a similar topic (managing pregnancy and opioid use). I think the advice applies to your situation as well.

 

[cj]

Call the methadone clinic or health department in the morning they will be able to help. You will be given top priority with all social services since you are pregnant and addicted take advantage.

 

[herbavore]

Knowing how terrible of mother I am already for putting this loving child in this kind of ordeal.

Every single day when you wake up, tell yourself that you are NOT a terrible mother. You are a good mother already. Let your baby's developing life continue to motivate you to leave addiction behind. Every mother is a human being, with all the strengths and weaknesses, all the complexity of what they have gone through, what they may be reacting to etc. We aren't saints but when we do what you are already doing--putting your babies well-being before your own desires--we come pretty close. I admire you so much for not giving in to despair and fear even though you may feel them, but tackling things head on. You are a good mother. Write it on a piece of paper, mean it, sign it, and every time you doubt it, pull that paper out and let it strengthen you.

 

[herbavore]

Knowing how terrible of mother I am already for putting this loving child in this kind of ordeal.

Every single day when you wake up, tell yourself that you are NOT a terrible mother. You are a good mother already. Let your baby's developing life continue to motivate you to leave addiction behind. Every mother is a human being, with all the strengths and weaknesses, all the complexity of what they have gone through, what they may be reacting to etc. We aren't saints but when we do what you are already doing--putting your baby's well-being before your own desires--we come pretty close. I admire you so much for not giving in to despair and fear even though you may feel them, but tackling things head on. You are a good mother. Write it on a piece of paper, mean it, sign it, and every time you doubt it, pull that paper out and let it strengthen you.

 

[RedRum OG]

By getting in suboxone you've done a wonderful thing. Your child will live a better life because of this. Addiction is complicated. You're not a terrible mother. And youve proved this by giving up one of the hardest habits on earth for the sake of another person.

You should taper under close medical supervision. It's generally okay to go by "feel" but with another humans life in your hands you can't be too safe. Opiates won't damage anything serious long term as far as babies, but withdrawal is a hell an infant is not prepared for, so do your best to slowly, steadily reduce. A few months is more than enough time to go from your dose to nothing, safely.

I wish it weren't this way but talk to a lawyer before a doctor. You don't want your baby taken because you were trying to do the right thing. I would assume all would be well if you have no illegal drugs in your system. So get suboxone prescribed legally asap after getting legal counsel.

Good luck! Keep up the good work.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Well, again, to be clear the naloxone in Suboxone is a teratogen. That means it can cause deforities of the fetus causing work really nasty potential life threatening and crippling effects on the baby to be. Pregnant women should only be using buprenorphine only formulation life the now only available by generic version of Subutex.