Have you had a baby on Methadone or are you pregnant now?

Michelle - posted on 05/16/2013

What about breastfeeding a toddler on methadone? I once again have succumbed to my addiction. My daughter is 19 months old. I was told, by an unreliable source, it was ok to take methadone while breastfeeding. I never had an addiction to opiates, or heroin. Just to methadone. I am only taking 10mg a day, sometimes every 3 days if i can go that long. My daughter doesn't seem to be affected by it. She has tons of energy and eats and sleeps like a normal toddler. I would like to stop taking the methadone. Should i wean off 10mg? i have always just quit cold turkey, the withdraws suck, but as an adult i can handle it. I am worried if my daughter will withdraw too. Does anyone have any experience with breastfeeding a toddler and taking methadone? I am scared to tell a doctor. I don't want cps informed. I am a very good mother. Just have an addiction.

CC - posted on 05/03/2013

Hi is it possible to have a baby on methadone and them NOT withdraw... PLEASE HELP

Brooke - posted on 04/11/2013

Angela my name is Brooke. In Alabama if a women is on suboxone when they get pregnant they swap them to subutex. the baby is given methadone or morphine when born for withdraws. I can't believe your doctor wouldnt continue treating you. If suboxone is working for you I would ask about the subutex. If they refuse to give it to you then I would say you need to get on a methadone program. I tryed suboxone it never worked for me but did for many friends of mine. I hope that you can keep from swapping to methadone since the suboxone program has worked for you. The subutex is not much different. I know that it doesn't have the opiate blocker in it. You should look it up.

Brooke - posted on 04/11/2013

Hey this is Brooke. Yeah I just realized that I wasn't looking at the dates of peoples post and I posted things to people that had there babies forever ago. I guess it shows that I'm new to the site. I will introduce myself I'm 27years old and my daughter was born on Feb 14 2013. She is almost 2months old and still in the hospital. It has been a very tuff 7weeks and I still have no clue when it will be over. She was on methadone for a few weeks but they decided that she was not breaking the medicine down like she was supposed to. She would do good for a few days then her scores would go back up. Now she is on morphine and she is doing much better. I believe that she could have been home already I feel like they are taken it as slow as they ppossibly can because they can. Also she's not 2weeks old anymore. They expect her to eat and sleep. HELLO she almost 2months old she needs interaction attention. If you know how I feel and want to talk I would love to hear from someone who knows what I'm going through. I'm so glad I found this site. I wish I would have found it before I had her. The advice I would give to anyone that's pregnant in our situation would be educate yourself on NAS scoring. That's how they know how to treat your child if they withdraw.

Shannon - posted on 04/10/2013

I found out a lot of information about methadone since I got pregnant. It is not true about being unable to taper while pregnant though it is not recommended to do so in first or third trimester. Some say not to do it at all while pregnant. The agency I went to did not approve of it but there are others that WILL allow you to do so. I think it is a matter of opinion, how you feel, and your current dose. I was at 105 when I found out I was pregnant (was almost 4 weeks) and have successfully tapered down to 35 mgs. I have not had any problems, the baby is measuring perfectly and there have not been any issues. There is the risk of miscarriage but at only a couple mgs a week and not experiencing detox I am not worried. I think it is common sense if you want to (especially if u feel as strongly as me) and are at a low enough dose I do not see the reason to stay on it. I was already tapering when I became pregnant long story short hormonal birth control does not work for me personally and did not know until it was too late. Anyway's every one feels differently and everyones body reacts differently. It seems pretty clear to me if I lose my appetite discontinue taper and if I have to go up. It is the same when your maintaining your dose... if you lose your appetite see your doctor so you can be uped... miscarriage can happen even if you stay on and don't see your doctor in time. I have talked to women that have successfully tapered and I do not think anyone should feel like they HAVE to stay on because that is not true. Remember ladies it is your body and your baby no one else can tell you what is right for it. I always hear the same thing about miscarriage but I know many women that take the risk by smoking cigs among other things. I did not like being forced to stay on a medicine I know is not good for my baby. I know there are several medications they say are safe for your baby and because a baby "looks" fine people assume it is but I do not believe that for a minute. I have known women to drink and use stimulants the first half of their pregnancy their babies looked fine but I do not believe it did not affect them psychologically or otherwise. I do not believe everything a doctor says if it were all true then there would not be so many lawsuits going on because of medications being prescribed causing issues. I believe it was Zoloft my doctor wanted me to go on because of my bipolar while I was pregnant and I am happy I did not because they found out there were birth defects caused by them after a couple decades of saying it was okay. It is a personal decision but whether someone wants to stay on or get off they should have the choice and do what is right for them. Do your own research and go from there.

Dana - posted on 04/02/2013

ok, so i am sorry if i posted to people that have had babies forever ago!! I just realized that as u go to the higher pages its the older posts!!! Sorry for any blabbering i did!! :) Have a good day all!!! ♥ ♥

Dana - posted on 04/02/2013

MELODY- the heart condition had NOTHING to do with the methadone..... i was told this is actually a common problem for babies that are born early... I recently just had another child who was completely healthy and was in the room with me the whole time and came home in 5 days, with NO withdrawals at all!!
I am very surprised that the the doctor didn't ween them off instead of just stopping them totally! Anyway, thanks for sharing and responding back!! :)

Dana - posted on 04/02/2013

APRIL- u cannot go down or off while u are pregnant. Yes, the girls will go through withdrawals and may cause you to go into early labor. I understand your quilt, but this really is the best thing for u to be doing for urself, and ur twins!! Good Luck and take care!! :)

Angela - posted on 03/26/2013

My story is very similiar. I was not on drugs with my 1st Brian, born happy and healthy w an APGAR score of 10. Then my second, Dominic, I was terribly addicted and on Methadone. Thank the Lord he is happy and healthy as well. I am now pregnant again and I need help on how to get off the Suboxone, which has been helpful to me and on something less detrimental to the baby. Hope to hear back from you. Running late for class. ANGELA

Dana - posted on 03/26/2013

MICHELLE MITCHELL: think if ur daughter was on street drugs the withdrawals would have been way worse, u wouldn't be able to be with ur grandchild!! Nor would she!! Give her a break! I am sure she is going through a lot just knowing that it is HER FAULT that the baby is withdrawing! I know i did!! I had 2 kids on methadone and one withdrew and one didn't! It all depends on each baby! Hope all is well and God bless your daughter and her new baby!! Use this time to give her love and support!! GOOD LUCK!! :)

Angela - posted on 03/26/2013

I just found out I was pregnant "again" yesterday. I am currently being prescibed both Suboxone and Xanax. I have been successful with this treatment for almost three years. Not one dirty urine. My Dr. now wants nothing to do with me. I have read that Suboxone is harmful to the fetus. I need to know if in the State of NJ they will put me on Methadone by law, regardless of the Xanax. Thanks Ladies:)

Melody Mendez - posted on 02/20/2013

mama3(heart) LM
Yes breast feeding helps the baby to withdrawal easier, I was worried cause the doctor sent methadone home 4 my girls and when I took them back to the doctor he told me to just take them off they have outgrown there dose I thought that doctor had list his mind! I left that office madier than I've ever been in my life, anyway I took them off like he said still brestfeeding and the done great!!! I now do not brestfeed cause they are almost 5 months and methadone has not been a problem at all for them! Good luck once God bless you like this He knows you can Handel it!!!

Cait - posted on 02/19/2013

His dad knows I take 'medicine'. At one point he knew it was Methadone but I think he has 'forgotton'. I am not too worried about his dad, it is his Mom (who I'm not terribly close to. I live with his father and him) and his Dad's 2 Sisters that I am worried about.
His mom has a cop for a fiance and also knows about 'my past' and knows that I am clean and on methadone.
His aunts probably know *acutally one of them does know and thinks as long as I am doing well she is happy.
But all this was said before I got pregnant. I am afraid they will think less of me for keeping the baby while on the methadone... Which obviously I can explain the clinic just does not let u come off when you are pregnant bc it's too dangerous.
If the baby is in the hospital only a week or two, I can probably think of thinks to say (like just complications etc)
I would rather be honest but I would hate to have them see the baby in misery and then have it take three weeks to withdraw.
I know they are going to be asking questions if after two weeks the baby isnt home yet. So I am just trying to get some ideas as to what to say to them or how to explain it best.
My fiance's sister is a Dr. so she is going to know if i am lying.
LIke I said, I haven't really decided if I am going to be vague and just say complications or if I am going to just tell them I had to stay on a medicine bc it was too dangerous to go off and now they have to watch the baby for a cpl weeks to make sure everything is ok....
I am just afraid of the mother and aunts thinking I am awful. It's probably just my guilty consciense though....

Melody Mendez - posted on 02/19/2013

Dana 200 mlgs, your baby done great, sorry to hear about the heart condition but was that cause of the methadone? I had all but one of my children on methadone and the last being twins, although they did put them on methdone they just sent the medicine home with me they are now almost 5 months old and done great coming off the methadone I think I was more scared than anything to take them off but the doctor said they had outgrown there dose I just didn't BELIVE that so I did completely take them off and every little whimper every little cry I said oh " IT'S THE METHADONE" the next thing I know it's been 3 weeks and no dose so I was glad for that! I was just curious about the heart condition? Thanks melody

Dana - posted on 02/19/2013

Cati: hi! I have 3 kids... 2 on methadone....my 2nd child stayed in he hospital for 16 days, and he also had a heart condition so i just told everyone it was that... with my 3rd child, he DID NOT WITHDRAW at all!!! they kept him in the hospital for 5 days WAITING for him to withdraw because i was on 200mg!!! But he didn't!! I just told everyone that because i had complications, they wanted to monitor him for a few days.... and depending on how close u are to his family, u may feel that being honest would be best.. i mean like u said, ur options were limited!! U were ALREADY on it and it is DANGEROUS to come off for possibilities of losing the baby and u didn't want to chance it... explain that u have spoken to NUMEROUS woman that have had HAPPY HEALTHY BABIES!! Also, it is APPROVED for use during pregnancy by the FDA and is only considered a stage 4 (the least harmful) to the fetus!! i wish u much luck and contact me ANYTIME!! :)

Cait - posted on 02/18/2013

I am on meth. and am currently 26weeks prego. I am living with my fiance and his father, at his father's house. How did you guys go about explaining why the baby stayed at the hospital for the couple weeks?
My bfs family is pretty religious and I know they would rather me not have gotten an abortion, but now obviiously the baby will go thru the withdrawel. I just don't want to look like a jerk (I already feel awful for having to do that to the baby but my options were a)abortion b) keep it and let it withdraw c) go off the methadone (and have the baby miscarry possibly, and the clinic doesn't let u come off if they know u are prego for the reason that it is so dangerous).
please help

Mama3♥ - posted on 01/31/2013

ok thanks i didnt think of that that the baby would take some of it too(my dose) thats probly y i feel crappy again (withdrawl crappy) :( so baby probly feels it ok ill get at that then and absolutly honesty is the best policy. and thak you :) ...oh btw to make a heart its a < and a 3 but no space inbetween if u wanted to know :) breastfeeding will help with what for the baby or me? or both?

Melody Mendez - posted on 01/31/2013

Sorry posted twice

Melody Mendez - posted on 01/31/2013

Mama3 LM ( sorry don't know how to do the heart) anyway Yes you would absolutely tell your methadone doctor mine communicated with my Obgyn doctor. Some people say that you have to up your dose because the baby is getting part of it well I was on 60 mlgs and pregant with twins and I NEVER HAD TO INCRESE! My methadone doctor and my Obgyn doctor Wonted me to breastfeed it did help too but I just couldn't keep up my milk supply for 2 babies lol!!! But anyway ALWAYS BE HONEST LIKE THE OLD SAYING GOES " HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY".your gonna do great and congratulations!!!!!!

Melody Mendez - posted on 01/31/2013

Mama3 LM ( sorry don't know how to do the heart) anyway Yes you would absolutely tell your methadone doctor mine communicated with my Obgyn doctor. Some people say that you have to up your dose because the baby is getting part of it well I was on 60 mlgs and pregant with twins and I NEVER HAD TO INCRESE! My methadone doctor and my Obgyn doctor Wonted me to breastfeed it did help too but I just couldn't keep up my milk supply for 2 babies lol!!! But anyway ALWAYS BE HONEST LIKE THE OLD SAYING GOES " HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY".your gonna do great and congratulations!!!!!!

Dana - posted on 01/31/2013

SHANNON- if i were u i WOULD NOT tapper any more! It is VERY dangerous ESPECIALLY NOW!! that i was on 200mg when i delivered my last child and he DID NOT DETOX AT ALL!!! he was in the room with me after i gave birth and they only kept him a few days (in the regular nursery) to SEE if he was going to have withdrawals and he NEVER did!! I touched NOTHING in 4 years except my methadone! I will leave u with this... would u rather lose the baby or have him on meth and ween off IF AT ALL for a few days??? hope u make the right decision for urself!! Good Luck!! :)

Mama3&#9829; - posted on 01/30/2013

Thank you so much no ones ever said they are proud of me :( Thank you I will go to the doctors and yes im absolutly doing methadone legally ive been on it since aug 1st this pregnancy was a suprise a lovely suprise...so much for birth control tho :( non the less me and my 2 little girls are happy and theyre excited to be big sisters. one other question I do tell my methadone doc too right.

Melody Mendez - posted on 01/29/2013

Leah like I said let your doctors know, if they treat you badly FIND A NEW ONE! My doctor was great I had twins in October and I took them home just as if I wasn't taking nothing! Social services never got involved because they would rather you be on methadone than on street drugs, just make sure your honest with your doctor, when I had my twins I stayed 4 days in the hospital cause I had a traverse c-section and they medicated me at the hospital. No one was judgemental in anyway. If your getting your methadone leagally you have NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT I JUST WENT THREW IT. DON'T EXPLAIN YOURSELF TO EVERYONE GO INTO THAT DOCTORS OFFICE AND LET THEM KNOW YOU WONTED TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND EVER SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON METHADONE IT HAS CHANGED!!! You don't have to explain to no one of your choice to clean up your life! IM EXTREMLY PROUD YOU MADE THE DECISION TO DO SO, good luck and keep me posted!!!!!!

Mama3&#9829; - posted on 01/29/2013

sorry should have been a little more informative im pregnant and currently on 55 mgs of methadone im just wondering if childrens aid automaticaly gets involved in your life after your baby is born. I dont feel like Im a bad person for having a baby while on methadone but maybe other ppl wont think that way im very alone threw this an well my whole experience with methadone. I know its not bad for them to come make sure everything is ok I guess I just want to know whats going to happn next I havnt told anyone that im pregnant I dont think anyone will understand.

Melody Mendez - posted on 01/29/2013

Your baby Gabby will be great please don't worry I'm 40 and just had twins in oct I have lupus and on 60 mlgs and been on methadone for 19 plus years and all my children are healthy and EXTREMLY SMART!!!! Good luck and don't stress

Gabby - posted on 01/29/2013

Im on 40 mg and I'm 30 weeks I been off and on cuss I have sevir cronic kidney stones you think my baby will be okay

Shannon - posted on 01/29/2013

do not stop! I sent u an email that is the worsst thing u could do is cold turkey stop!

Gabby - posted on 01/27/2013

hi its gabby im 30 weeks my doctor up dose my methadon to 50mg cuss i never ever use street drugs i suffer from cronic kidney stones and for that i would take oxycodone and they still give it to me for sever pain please i have stop since today and takeing my methadone im so terrifind i can lose my baby please give advise please

Gabby - posted on 01/26/2013

hi my name is gabby im having a baby on march 29 im takeing 40mg of methadone and im so terifid that something might happen to my baby im also 28 with my 1st baby some nurse said some baby are born fussy but ok please help me i dont want nothing to happen to my baby please feel freen to call 805 844-2734 or email latina805.gm@gmail.com

Shannon - posted on 01/20/2013

Well I wanted to give an update I am currently tapering while pregnant and it has been going very well. I am down to 60 mg from 105 when I got pregnant and originally was at 145. I have read many credible sources to know the pros and cons of methadone use while pregnant. After having a son that had a stay in the hospital I would not want to have my child possibly spend the beginning of its life in a NICU. It seems like there is not much support for tapering and it is looked at as a bad thing to taper and good to stay on. I am hoping to talk to some that have actually tapered successfully and if not maybe I can start a thread that has my story. I think if not done right it can be a problem but I have felt well and considering my baby is the size of a prune I do not think it needs a ton of methadone. I have heard even if you think you are fine it can be adversely effect baby but everything has been great with my pregnancy. I do however think it would have been a problem if I was into my third trimester because I know it is more common to have a premature birth as well as low birth weight. I personally had never met anyone that had a still birth or baby pass away from SIDS and I have encountered a few from the methadone clinic. To me that is not comforting andquite scary considering it is more likely. That is with any drug though. I do not use anything besides methadone I am not even smoking that is probably y i am so opposed to being on it plus my first and only born so far I was completely clean the whole pregnancy. When I get more familiarizedwith this site perhaps I can find a thread about mothers that have successfully tapered or maybe someone can point me in the right direction because I would LOVE to hear of people tapering instead of simply staying on it. Thank you

Dana - posted on 01/11/2013

karen, i agree with u 100%!! I am a mother of 3 where 2 of my children were born on methadone and on e had to detox (i did not breastfeed) and one did not!! The 3rd one came hone in 5 days cause i was on such a high does they SWORE that he would have to be on meds!! HEW WASN'T ON A DROP!!! he was AMAZING!! i was on 210mgs!!! Good luck on ur new baby and God bless u and ur family!!! Best of luck and u should be VERY proud of ur accomplishment on coming down on ur does!!! :) Good for u!! l;)

Karen - posted on 01/11/2013

You don't have to be scared to lose your baby, because if you are taking your methadone as prescribed and not taking any other drugs, there is no reason to take your baby. I was on methadone with my son, who is now two, and I am currently pregnant with my second child. My son did not experience any withdrawals, and he went home with me after the standard 48 hours. He came home and did great, we breastfed and everything! I was on 90mg when I started that pregnancy and by the end I had to increase to 130mg! I am not ashamed of having to increase. After having my son, I desperately wanted off the methadone, so I started tapering, and I got to 40mg and sorta hit a wall. I stayed at 40 for a few months and then I found out I was pregnant again. So I stayed at 40 and just recently had to start increasing. I am currently at 45 but I am going up to 50 next week because the dose is just not holding. I think my baby must be having one hell of a growth spurt because 40 was holding me just find until recently, I am 37 weeks pregnant, so I am almost done :-)
Ladies, it is not a 100% that your baby will need a NICU stay! My midwife says that the majority of babies born under her do NOT need a NICU stay, or medication. So as long as you are staying clean (besides the methadone) and not smoking, because smoking aggravates withdrawal symptoms, and you breastfeed right after birth, chances are very good that your baby will not need a detox. Not to say you should not prepare, but I believe in staying positive. My boyfriend was not even concerned and I freaked out and pretty much planned on my son needing a detox, but nothing happened. I am praying that the same thing happens with our baby girl and we can bring her home healthy like her big brother. Good luck to you ladies, and there is no shame in being on methadone. My methadone pregnancies have been totally uneventful, and low risk.

Gina - posted on 12/16/2012

I'm in a very similar situation looking for advice, I'm really wanting to continue tapering off but I know my clinic will push me to stay on my dose or up it, I'm 30 and my partner has told his whole family we are pregnant, I'm so scared of failing or losing this baby, id been weaning off so we could get pregnant all healthy, I haven't touched drugs for 4 yrs. I see my methadone doctor in 2 days so ill pass on any info from my end that may help. It's scary huh? Just can't wait until I can enjoy it and k ow some facts.

Gina - posted on 12/16/2012

Hi I'm totally lost, I'm 6 weeks w/1st and on 35mg of methadone. I'd been tapering off for the last year off 110mg. I'm very scared about how to deal with all this the gp I went to confirm my pregnancy at (1st time there as just moved to new city) he was awful and insinuated I get an abortion which I don't want, my partner is supportive but we are very frightened as to what's ahead, I don't want to be treated badly because of methadone, I have not touched drugs of any sort for 4 years and last year trying to get off methadone so we could have a family. It's happened the other way round but its happened and I need advice on this please. I have a methadone prescribing doctor but he is very quick to prescribe a myriad of drugs which I always refuse, I don't know if I can trust him either, at least he won't insinuate abortion that's for sure.
I'm 30 in Australia otherwise healthy apart from dehydration (forget to drink enough water!) any help is so appreciated.

Melody Mendez - posted on 12/15/2012

Thanks so much I just thought the doctor knew best so I did try to half there dose for two days and it was so painful to see them going threw this so I IMMEDIATLY gave them the extra amount for a full dose to stop there pain I'm going to continue giving them there normal dose and seek another Doctor thanks so much for you I site it DEFINATLY helped! Melody

P/S: PEOPLE PLEASE DON'T BE ASHAMED OR SCARED ABOUT BEING ON METHADONE AND PREGNANT IT IS MUCH BETTER THAN RUNNING THE STREETS DOING DRUGS!!!!!! TOTALLY NOT ASHAMED AND BLESSED!!!!

April - posted on 12/14/2012

melody i had twins 7 months ago and was on methodone. the girls were n nicu for 2 weeks, and were sent home on small dose and very slow taper. to where they did not withdrawl at all. the tap was i think bout 2 weeks long. that is so wrong ur doc said wht he did. i would seek help from another doc. like i said my girls did not withdrawl at all, or it was so minimal i could not tell. my girls r great and thriving. hope i helped

Shannon - posted on 12/14/2012

HELP ME PLEASE I have been searching the web I recently found out I was pregnant and am currently tapering off of methaadone. I am personally completely against having my baby on methadone I do not judge others but to each their own. I know the risk with continuing to taper and would rather taper than have another baby be in teh nicu (my son was preemie I was not using one thing not ven smoking and he was early and was in hospital 2 months it frightens me to think about it). Anyway's I am at 100 mgs dropping 5 mgs every 5 days and hav the option to drop every week by five until i hit 40 then ill be dropping by 3's 2's and 1's. I am so scared of misscarrying but would be even more upset if I stayd on and at the clinic I am at tehy will up dose when you get preg that is the LAST thing I am trying to do.

Has anyone tapered off methadone successfully at a dose as high as mine or close or higher?

I am currently only 4 weeks. I am so stressed and I know many will think I should not have gotten preg in th firts place. I have a family problem the women in our family cannot do hormonal birth control and iud type things I have tried my body would not tolerate. I had to use barrier methods every time and am in monogamous relationship. Please do not judge me because I already feel bad enough and believe I am making the right decision I just want to hear about someone making it thru. The clinics doctor thinks methadone is the cure for everything so I cannot confide or tell anyoen at the clinic or anything I am so lost and need advice so bad. I am aware you are not doctors and such but I would love to hear from someone that has went thru this. Please message me personally I would appreciate it more than I can even put into words.

Dana - posted on 12/14/2012

good for u Kimberley!! I just had a baby (second born on Methadone) and he did not go through ANY withdrawals!! he was home from the hospital in 5 days and it was only because they were waiting for him to withdraw and he didn't!!! He was in the room the whole time with me, which is a BIG change from my 2nd child! However, my 2nd child did and he was in the hospital for 19 days! I never got to have him in the room with me, and had to go to the nursery (NNICU) to see him,and right after a C-section (my 3rd) NOT easy! I have been clean for 4 years (still on methadone) and have take homes as well, (go once a month) and i will tell u that u are making the right decision for urself and your family by staying on, KNOWING that that is what works for u!! Good luck on ur journey, and God Bless!!

Melody Mendez - posted on 12/13/2012

I've been on methadone for 18 years and I just had twins!!!!! Yes I stayed on Methadone cause I have a 13 year old and a 8 year old that I had on Methadone! My 13 year old is very smart she will graduate at age 16 because she started school early and skipped a grade! When Selena my 13 year old was born she came home after 2 days no withdrawals nothing. Now when my 8 year old was born she had to stay an extra day but still was not given no medication. She did have some withdrawal symptoms and it broke my heart she was not given no medication! Now at 40 years of age I'm still on Methadone and like other people I will DEFINATLY be on it the rest of my life of course since I've been on it so long I go to a doctor and get it every 2 months he writes me 2 different prescription one for the current month and one for the next! Thank God cause it only cost me a 50 dollar office visit and 28 dollars for a month supply its so much cheaper anyway I got pregnant again in feb, 2012 and I couldn't not BELIVE it but I know GOD gives you a gift you take it with pride!!!!!! I found out at 9 weeks pregnant I was having twins I'm on 90 mlgs of Methadone and I stayed on it per Doctors orders cause I've been on it for so long, I gave birth on Oct 4, 2012 I was 5 weeks early and they weighed 4 pounds 4 oz and 4 pounds 7 oz and as every mom knows they lose weight but after 6 yes 6 days in the NIC U they started them on Methadone???? I was very upset cause I wasn't informed of this until after words which I think I should of had a say? Anyway they came home on a very small dose but they are now 10 weeks old and when I took them to the Doctor Tuesday I asked him about there detox cause I don't have but alittle medicine left he told me that they have out grown there dose so just cut it in half for 1 week then take them off?????? He didn't give me any more medication but I have enough to do this and it's been 2 days and my girls are going three MAJOR WITHDRAWALS IM VERY UPSET AND SCARED TO JUST TAKE THEM OFF THIS COMING UP TUESDAY!!! Does anyone having any advice on what I should do to help console them threw this period? And does this Doc no what he is talking about???? Please help me to help my little angels!!!!! Thanks! Melody

Staceyjw - posted on 10/16/2012

I have had 2 on MMT, Ds is 2, Dd is 6 months.

The NICU stay wasn't as bad as I expected. Everyone was very nice and helpful. My DS was given methadone until stable. He spent 6 weeks NICU, but he also had abnormal jaundice due to a blood disorder. He was then sent home to detox, with a huge bottle of methadone, it took 3months. My DD was detoxed quickly with morphine and phenobarb, it took 2 weeks. She was in NICU 4weeks for prematurity (33w) and jaundice from same blood issue my Ds had (unrelated to MMT or drugs).



Stay on the MMT, its most important you are stable and healthy. I have been on it almost 10years and have been off drugs from the 3rd month on. People ask when Im gonna quit, but I don't know if I ever will. I hate the hassle, even though I don't have to pick up too often.



and, NEVER, EVER detox while peg, it can vase a miscarriage!

Destiny Autumn Orion - posted on 09/19/2012

DdAwww she has to let the father know about the methadone. A lot of times the baby will have withdrawal and be in the nicu a week even for months. My girls daughter was in for months but I was so blessed and both of mine came home right away with no withdrawal. My daughter isn1 and my son is 6 weeks. So I just went thru it again. She will be ok .....I recommend nursing the baby it helps a lot with withdrawal and my doctor encouraged it. My babies are both beautiful and healthy as can be.the father deserves to know. It will cause a lot on drama I'm sure if she had withdrawal and he found out after baby was born. He may freak out and not understand the mehadone but it will be o. I will keep her and baby in my prayers

Destiny Autumn Orion - posted on 09/19/2012

I'm sooo happy to know I'm not the only one that cares if I'm on methadone forever. It has saved my life beyond belief. I have had 2 babies on it and I've been so blessed because neither had any withdrawal and came right home. I'm in 90 MG a day!!! Qi have take homes but I go every Monday to get my weeks worth. I love the structure of my clinic and I need that in my life. I have 3 gorgeous kids and ive been clean for 3 years now. I was on suboxone at first. I get bashed a lot for being on it and my fiancé does not approve. That's my biggest issue. Have u had to deal with that? He just doesn't understand and I don't kno what to do about it. He is horribly rude and wants me off now!

Marie - posted on 09/08/2012

Thanks so much... you are a true inspiration...God bless you and your family

Jessica - posted on 09/08/2012

I can tell you that when I had my son 3 1/2 yrs ago he was born on methadone (bc Ive been on it for 6 years and have been sober from everything since the day I began the program, I am also an advocate for Mothers on Methadone and am studying in college to be a drug addiction counselor right now) it was difficult, watching him in the NICU but he did amazing. The staff was great, and I was allowed to have a room even though I had been discharged so my husband and I could sleep there at night and come in and out whenever we chose to. We loved being with him the whole time. I did NURSE him and it helped tremendously. The doctors suggested I nurse him and it was not harmful to him at all. It helped in fact with his withdrawals. He only stayed for 14 days and he came right down the right way. He did have trouble sucking when he was born, so he would have been in the NICU anyways, on methadone or not. I am in NO rush to get off methadone. Many people say that when they get off they have a hard time. I have decreased greatly, but now that I am pregnant again I stopped decreasing and went up a little bit on the dose. You really should not decrease when you are pregnant. Be careful what advice you take on this matter. Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is educated to have the correct one. There are specifics to how these things should be done. Your baby can't tell you if she/he is feeling shitty....so it is best to assume sticking with the methadone until she is born and you can have the withdrawals and have them only affect YOU. Good luck with everything. I know it's a tough time. Im struggling as well with some things.....and I hate feeling like everyone is always looking at me like Im a drug user bc im on methadone. That was the old me......not the me I am today at all.

Marie - posted on 09/01/2012

Hello I know someone pregnant and on methadone and did not tell the father of the child about the methadone.. how long does the baby have to stay in the hospital..what is this mother in store for..she is eight months and is at 150mg. please help

None Of Yo - posted on 07/19/2012

PLEASE LISTEN! This is something that so many people misunderstand!

IF YOU ARE ON METHADONE WHEN YOU BECOME PREGNANT, TO GET OFF IT CAN CAUSE YOU TO MISCARRY.

THE ONLY TRULY SAFE OPTION FOR YOUR BABY IS TO STAY ON IT!!

Anyone who judges a woman who is on methadone while pregnant for what they are "doing to" the baby, is totally misinformed and judging for no good reason. The best, safest possible thing you can do is stay on a stable dose and keep your baby healthy and safe.

Detoxing puts your body thru such intense highs and lows and causes extreme stress which can cause severe trauma for the baby. The environment of a withdrawing body is NOT a safe or stable one. even detoxing slowly and tapering down gradually can STILL be dangerous for the baby!

It takes a lot of courage to do something that "conventional wisdom" tells you is wrong, especially when a baby is involved. Do you know how hard it is to stay on methadone while pregnant, knowing that people are all talking about you, saying terrible things, saying that DYFS should take the baby away for "what youre doing to it", saying things like "too bad youre so selfish and you love your drugs more than your baby or youd get off it" and just horrible stuff, ignorant people who have no idea. Its very hard to stay strong in the face of all these people judging you and saying youre a horrible selfish person who is putting your child through hell and you shouldnt be allowed to have children and they hope that your baby gets taken away and all this stuff. You should be proud of your daughter for doing the right thing for her baby. Methadone is NOT teratogenic (teratogen=a substance that is toxic to the fetus and will cause birth defects and other damage.) Methadone does NOT cause any birth defects or anything like that and is the "gold standard" of the safest treatment for a pregnant woman.

People educate yourselves so you know the truth and nobody can tell you these lies and try and make you think you did the wrong thing. If you have a family member or friend who is the methadone treated mother please stand by them and support them.

For the record I had a baby while on 90mg a day and he did not even need medication. I breastfed him and it helped the withdrawals significantly. He did not have any major withdrawals but just minor stuff. He was in the NICU for 3 days after 2 days in the regular maternity ward. He's like, the absolute poster child for healthy, sturdy, happy, beautiful babies everywhere and I am so glad that I did what I knew was right for both of us. Is it hard to hear all these terrible things people say to you and judge you for? Oh f--- yea it is. But the reward of a happy healthy beautiful child cancels that all out real quick.

Please....don't see it as something your daughter "did to" her baby. What she actually "did", was give her child the gift of a healthy and safe life by choosing to do the responsible thing and get on methadone for the sake of her baby. Please understand--In the situation where a woman is addicted to opiates and finds out that she is pregnant--there is really only one good , reasonable option, and that is to get on methadone. Kicking the drugs and detoxing could cause her to miscarry. continuing the drugs is obviously not a choice. Methadone is the only choice to keep a stable and safe environment for that baby, so please don't hold it against her because she was only doing what is best for her baby.

James - posted on 07/05/2012

Hello. I hope that it is not out of line to post to this message board being a father to be. Have not found a message board for fathers yet. If I am out of line for posting to this message board I appoligize. The question I have is that my wife is currently prescribed 9mg of methadone and is 31 weeks pregnant. She has been very slowly reducing her doseage. She hope to be completely off of the methadone around the time of her due date. I would like to hear from someone with a similar dosage on how their child dealt with the withdrawals after birth. Most of the information I found this morning has been from mothers with much higher dosages. I just found out that my wife has been on this medicine and I have zero experience or knowledge of how it will effect our baby. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Haven - posted on 05/06/2012

I have been on methadone for 8 years. I have been on MANY different doses, anywhere from 40mls-160mls. Right now I'm at 80mls. I have had 2 daughters. they are 5years old and 1 year old. I weaned myself down to 40mls with both of them and their withdrawal was so mild they did'nt need ANY meds when they were born! I did have to have them at Children's Hospital and with my 5year old we were there for 3 weeks(she was also born with a cleft lip and palate that was genetic) and my 1 year old we stayed for 2 weeks. I'm not sure if there is any long term problems from my methadone use during pregnancy but they are both happy and healthy.

April - posted on 02/27/2012

I am 26 weeks pregnant with twins, and been on methodone for about 3 months. Im on 40 mg of methodone, and starting to feel real guilty for being on it. I wanted to get off, or taper down but everyone talked me out of it. Will my girls go through terrible withdrawls? How long? Im so nervous and scared.

Caitlyn - posted on 10/01/2011

i had my daughter, who is now almost 7 weeks old, on methadone. I had her in jersey shore medical center in NJ , and was only diappointed with 1 dr. They had her medicated on methadone the whole time she was in the hospital and then the day be4 she was discharged he took her off and sent her home to withdraw!! By the time it got really bad, she was 3 days in and i knew she was just very uncomfortable and not in any harm, so i made the decesion not to take her back to the hospital cus i knew they would be so quick to just medicate her again and i felt she was half way done withdrawing that i felt i would be taking 20 steps back after i took 10 steps fowardd!.. now shes perfectly fine, but if i were to have another child, i would detox off methadone first. and then get on after i had the baby if i had to. if i got pregnant by accident, then it wouldnt be the worst thing ever to have to do it again, but i would not plan to do it.