... JUST found out in pregnant, I was completely clean off everything in the month (I'm guessing) I got pregnant (still waiting to for sonogram), but before I knew I was expecting, there was 3-4 weeks I was consistently taking 5-12 a day, along with smoking 1/2 a pack of cigarettes... I'm scared because I can't get in to see a doctor for 2 more weeks, and I don't mean to sound superficial but this is our first baby and if there's something seriously wrong, were still early enough on to have options... we want this baby so bad, but I'm terrified I've done too much damage. I've tapered waaaay down since finding out, but I know withdrawals can cause miscarriage, and like I said, I'm scared that I've caused harm, but I already love this baby. Please help ease my mind, or be honest with me, I've been up till 5am for the last 3 nights googling/researching side effects, birth defects, miscarriage, etc. any input is much appreciated!
Pregnancy - 5-12 NORCO 10/325 a day while pregnant! Please reassure me! I am 8-12 weeks along?
Question posted by And702 on 29 Jan 2013
Last updated on 1 March 2017 by Ladybam8
5 Answers
Yes
Ashley
Glad to hear your doing well with the new MEDS and the pregnancy. I know the hardest thing in the world is to be honest about stuff like that cuz we all get ashamed of our addictions often !!! But you did the right thing and it possible saved you and your babies life ! So good luck and let us know how you both are doing
Finallylivingfree
Yes, you can use norco throughout your pregnancy if it's needed, however, you need to taper down to as low a dose as possible. Your OB Dr needs to be aware of the use, and dosage, throughout the pregnancy. If you continue to use narcotics until you baby's birth, your baby will be born addicted and will have to be detoxed. While he/she will be helped with medication, they will still suffer some effects of withdrawal. And you should expect they'll spend an extended stay in the NICU, often up to a month or more. In some states it's the law that if a baby is born addicted to drugs, prescribed or not, Child Protective Services will be called in and an investigation conducted. This will not end at the hospital level, but will include at least one scheduled, and normally one surprise, home visit. You might want to check your state's laws concerning this.
I wish you a very happy and healthy pregnancy and the birth of a happy and healthy baby!
Lisa
You know, the thing about child services really ticks me off. If someone is prescribed it and the doctor has been aware, then its not up to the government to stick their noses into our business, yet again.
I know. You'd think they'd just be worried about the babies born addicted by mom's using unauthorized drugs, but in some states that's just not the case.
Lisa
Hi
New to this site, but thought I could shed some light here. I have been a labor &delivery RNC 10+ yrs. I deal primarily with high risk pregnancy, pts with serious medical conditions and drug/alcohol dependency. Pain management and pregnancy aren't always exact sciences, but most doctors that I work with don't stop giving pregnant patients narcotic pain meds, as the withdrawal may contribute to IUFD (intrauterine fetal demise). Your OB/GYN will advise you changing your meds or changing the dosage. Some patients I have have gone on methadone to try to eventually stop the meds postpartum. Tramadol is contraindicated in pregnancy (at least in NY). In NY ACS is contacted when the mother is abusing meds, has a history of a baby testing positive for any drugs, prescription or street level, or when a mother is taking prescription meds without a prescription.
As long as you have a regular dr writing you for these meds and proof that you have proof of a medical condition, and you're honest, you'll be able to get the best care possible during your pregnancy. I wish you the best of luck!!
Shelly
Thank you all for the posts, sorry I haven't had a chance to comment/update recently, but I wanted to let you guys know, I was honest with my doctor and he advised me to see a specialist that helps pregnant women get off narcotics. Even tho I was prescribed them, I was abusing them more than I should have and more than I felt comfortable with in general.
My new doctor put me on subutex, which keeps me from withdrawing, keeps me from using, and isn't harmful to the baby, I was extremely concerned that the baby was harmed by this point tho, but he reassured me that I'm not the first to come in in my situation, and that all the other baby's born in the same situation were perfectly healthy and didnt require any additional time in the hospital after birth, you can imagine how relieved I was to hear that! I have my next sono in 2 days to determine the sex, and health of the baby, so knock on wood, pray, fingers crossed, whatever it is you do :), and hope for the best :)
Also he wants to keep me on the subutex for a little over a year to assure that stress doesn't lead to relapse after the baby comes, but it's been almost a month that I've been clean and I feel great! I finally feel like I get to enjoy pregnancy like every other mom does, and don't have the stress of "OMG what am I doing?! What am I going to do?!" Which is a HUGE weight off my shoulders!
Thank you all for your comments and concern! Feels great to know there are people out there that genuinely care for a stranger and all your suggestions were defiantly taken to heart!
Thank you all again, and please pray for us! Better safe than sorry! :)
-Ashley
Hi.i know from experience that there are some docs that prescribe this during pregnancy... try to just relax... don't worry... WD would b much worse on the baby than the med itself... just let your dr know and try to cut back... a friend of mine her dr switched her from Vicodin to Percocet while she was pregnant... during her last 3 pregnancies... and all her babies were just fine... but please let your dr know... because now if they find that in your system or the baby's they will try to remove your child from the home... so let him know and if he doesn't want to help then find a dr that will,,, if you have anymore questions you can message me directly:) Ty
Hydrocodone isn't totally prohibited in pregnancy, however its not a good idea if you can do without it. Therefore cut down as far as you can without suffering withdrawal before your appt with your doc, and be sure you tell him about it. Smoking can cause the baby to be smaller, so its a good idea to try to get rid of that habit too. You may find help with that with e-cigs. You still have "cig" to smoke that gives you water vapor to inhale, without getting the harmful tars of a cigarette. I've had alot of luck with them cutting way down.
Do you think the baby's okay? Am I freaking out for nothing or is it a realistic fear??
You could lose the baby if you cut back too quickly. Taper off the Norco slowly and under the care of the obstetrician.
Related topics
norco, drug dependence, smoking, opiate dependence, pain, hydrocodone, pregnancy, addiction, miscarriage, pain pill
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