methadone pregency

hi all was wondering does any one have any input on pregency while on methadone

or has any one been thru this or know of any been thru it

we r seeking med help

been on the meth prog 1 month

been using 20+yrs

Seeking Help...
Welcome to BB.....
My sister is a user & was using whilst on methadone as well she has a pill addiction...

Her daughter was born via c/sect & my niece had withdrawals, shaking, fitting , pain & cramping for a few weeks/months...

I would think if you can stay off the gear & anything else other than the methadone (if that helps to keep you clean) & you desperately want the best for your baby then it is a step in the right direction.
I have heard numerous stories about her friends that have not been so lucky with their babies & there have been many sad outcomes, I wont get into it all though...
Obviously it would be best if there were no drugs, chemicals etc passed on to the unborn child, but addictions are not easy to kick!
I wish you luck & I pray that you can stay off it to give your child a great life & future..

hey there,
my dad who is a doctor said there appears no untoward effects on the baby accept of course that the baby will be dependent and will have to be weaned off the drug. No mental or physical effects otherwise. Good luck and keep up the amazing work.

Hiya,
Don't know anyone who's been on methodone whilst pregnant...but just wishing you guys the best. Hope your next month is easier than the first.

Hello,
Firstly I just wanted to say good on you for taking the harder path. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to stop taking a drug like heroin. How long does the methadone program last? I have absolutely no knowledge so this may be a really stupid question, but Is there anyway that someone can be weaned off the methadone whilst being pregnant? Just so its not as difficult on the baby when it's born. I don't know how long the program goes on for.

oh okay, caro, thanks.

Seekinghelp, I wish you, your partner and your little baby the best of health and luck.

Yes, it did sound like that, didnt it, lol. I'll edit it.

hi thanx for that we are seeking medical help we are also tring to find other

couples or single females who have gone thru this

we both knew what problems would arise out of this pregency we want a child together the road wont be easy a decision we made together

thanx

the meth programe takes as long as it takes if that makes sense

some people never get of it

my partner has only been on the programme for 1month

she also suffers from depression and anxiotey

she hope to be able to start to wean herself of it 1 month at a time

myself am not on any programme cold turkey clean 4 yrs

am just doing the best for my partner in any way i can

thanx to all who have replied type to u all soon

thanx for your reply glad to hear you have another on the way

is it strange for a guy to be on a how do i say female forum

it wasd the first one i come across not real good on computers

hi am curious to hear of some of those stories you cant tell here

no i am not a sick puppy who is into sickthings

just reality is was im looking for

not sure how to communicate out side this forum can send you an email addy

you can let me know thanx

hey thanx for that your dad being a doctor just give me a boost

im in the inner west also might have crossed paths

thanx

Good luck, seekinghelp. It's fantastic that you're going through together and can support each other. I have only the greatest admiration for both of you for your strength of character - I only know second hand how difficult herion addiction is. Wishing your partner a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Hi there seeking help,

Caro is right - it is really important that your methadone prescriber is aware of your partners pregnancy as soon as possible, so as she can get the most appropriate care (ie: dose / support services). Methadone treatment during pregnancy is very common and there are support services in all major cities to care for the mother and newborn directly after birth. The prescriber/ treatment agency will be able to give you this information.

Also, NA may be an avenue to go down to seek other couples who have gone through this. I am not sure if you are an active user - if so your local needle exchange may be able to link you into a support group. If your not a user - family drug help line is a good resource for links to support groups/ Q& A. Otherwise, your states drug and alcohol information line have a huge data base of different services/ support groups offered in your area.

Lilly
(Drug & Alcohol worker on maternity leave)

Hi there seeking help,

just read your most recent posts - congratulations on being 4 years clean! Thats fantastic!!

Lilly

hey thanx lilly my partner has been thru all the the programmes out there but not very sucessfull she has relapsed every time

we have been together for just over 15 months i give her all the encougagement time and what ever else

she is very scared and carries a lot of baggage she cant get rid of

thanx again

Seekinghelp,
The best thing is that you are a strong shoulder for her to lean on, support & advice is what she will need from you...
I know my sister dragged her partner back into the drug scene & he is back behind bars, where he had been clean for quite sometime... I hope you are stronger than him!

I hope that you being clean for 4 yrs (which is a massive achievement & I am proud of you for achieving) gives you the strength to help your partner & try to keep her focussed on the well being of the baby rather than her addictive needs...

When I had my youngest baby, my sister came in to see her & she said she had just seen a friend whose baby was born so addicted to heroin that it was basically brain dead & the staff had kept her alive for 13 wks already, the parents were not ready to say goodbye to their baby.... She was about 30wks into her pregnancy when she started bleeding & rather than get assistance she decided she'd have 1 last hit...
The baby girl ended up passing away on the second day that I was in the hospital approx 13.5 wks after her birth & I saw the couple in the hospital they were totally out of it... I guess I couldnt help but wonder why God would bless these people with a beautiful innocent child when they quite obviously didnt realise how totally lucky they were... I also felt sad that they had to experience this & it probably would never be dealt with by either of them & so in turn would feed their addiction forever... I also felt a sense of peace that the baby didnt have to go home with them as parents... I know it might sound cruel, but they were definately not aware of what they'd need to do to care properly for a baby!!!

This is just 1 story that I witnessed...

I think the key is to find out as much as you can & to get your partners headspace & priority on the baby that she is carrying & remind her daily there is a beautiful human being inside of her that will be so dependent on her... Tell her how proud you are of her as she reaches goals, milestones in her attempt to get clean, I really dont know... I wish you every success in the future the fact your trying to get as much info as possible is certainly commendable!!!

seeking help, I dont realy have any advice to add to what the others have said, but wanted to say a huge congratulations for being clean for 4 years that is fantastic, I really hope your partner is able to find the help she needs. good luck

A girl I used to work with had a pregnancy whilst on methadone. From memory she had been on the methadone program for around 6 months.

She lost the baby at around 17 weeks pregnant. But I don't know if she was fully following the program at that stage, or if she had had a backward slide to using again. (She had been functioning well at work whilst on the methadone program, but then started taking a fair bit of time off when she found out she was pregnant so I knever really knew if she felt ill from the pregnancy or had gone back to her old ways.........)

I never found out the casue of her losing the baby either, but 17 weeks is a late loss, and not that common.

Hi seeking help :) I'm a midwife who regularly works on the high risk antenatal ward where we often care for women during the initial methadone stabiliation period, anytime during the anteatal period and also in the postnatal period.
I'm not sure where you are, so i'm not sure what sort of services your hospital will provide. Where i work, we have a group of midwives who are specifically dedicated to supporting D&A mothers - so the women on methadone or the women who continue to use in pregnancy. These midwives work very closely with social workers and D&A nurses to provide a supportive framework for the women during and after pregnancy. Do you know if your hospital has anything similar to this?
I think the key factor is support. Your partner needs the support of people who aren't using - like yourself, congrats! :D - and i guess the focus of doing the absolute best for the baby.
In practical terms, Methadone is quiet safe in pregnancy - certainly safer than Heroin! There can be complications but your hospital should be monitoring you closely. After your baby is born, he or she is likely to suffer withdrawal symptoms which wont be pleasant, however these will also be monitored by the midwives and doctors in conjunction with the neonatologists. We usually 'score' the baby and if the baby starts to score high he/she will be reviewed by the doctors and usually started on morphine to relieve the symptoms. We teach the parents how to give the morphine as often the babies will go home on it. At my hospital, we like the women who have been on Methadone to stay for at least 7 days so we can properly observe for signs and symptoms of withdrawal.
Hope that helps a little :)

hi thanx for that it sounds like u work in a good enviroment im sure it must also be hard at times we live in sydney so im sure all those services are available

we are seeking professional medical help we are also just getting out there if u know what i mean thanx again

Seekinghelp - firstly congratulations on your partners pregnancy. It is an amazing journey. I used to work in a special care nursery and often would care for babies who were withdrawing from chemicals. As chelleg mentioned, depending on their 'scores' they may be commenced on oral morphine and slowly weaned off that until they are no longer dependent. The hospital i worked at offered a program that sounded very similar to what chelleg was talking about- there are a lot of supports in the public system (can't speak for private system) for women that are dependent on drugs. Most of the babies that i have cared for, with the appropriate medical attention, have come through fine - although it was a hard battle for them (and their parents). It is great that your partner is attempting to beat the addiction and it sounds like she has a great support person from yourself. Good luck with everything.

hi thanx for your kind words and support

my partner is xtremly concerned i to know how big a problem it is but i tend to look at

the whole picture not just now she is very confused at the moment which is why i am here not her she does read everything i send and all the replies we get

thanx again

jo sus

Hi seekinhelp - I am so proud of you for "seeking help" as you are and for having the guts to ask these difficult things on an open forum..... your little one is going to need both of you in the best state possible. as already said support is the main thing she needs right now... and maybe seeing a baby go through withdrawls might help her to understand the neccesity of cleaning up... Congrats to her for taking the hard step to realise her problem and getting on the meth program in the first place alot of people dont !.......

I hope you guys can dind some of the support you need on here ... It is a great site with some great advice and support.....

Congrats again on your effort and mate keep it up.. it can only bring good.. !! ;)

Hi Seekinhelp,

Firstly, congratulations on being clean yourself and also to your partner for wanting assistance with this. I work in a drug and alcohol clinc in Melbourne. We actually deal with a lot of pregnant women on the program and one of our docs has done some extensive research into the effects of methadone and buprenorphine on the mother and child.
As several of the others have said, methadone is relatively safe for mother and baby during pregnancy. It is also a much better option than other substances which she might be taking. It is tough, but going on the program can be tough anyway. As a couple of other people have written, the chances of the baby being smaller on delivery are increased. However, the baby is normally pretty good. Occassionally there is a withdrawal period for the baby and they will sometimes need to spend time in special care nursery. There are dose limits which are considered safe but you would need to discuss that with the docs at the clinic she attends. I would also just like to float the idea to you about buprenorphine. There is research that suggests that this is perhaps a better alternative to methadone for some women. There is evidence that babies born to mothers on bupe are more often born in the "normal" weight and APGAR categories. Whether or not your partner is a suitable candidate for bupe will be dependent on her history of using amongst other things and a decison that will ultimately be up to the treatment team.
There are some teriffic clinics in NSW that will be able to assist your partner with this and it is strongly advisable that she goes and has a chat with someone about her needs and what the clinic can offer her. Even if one clinic can't help her (for example, they may not be taking any clients on at the moment) or the clinic doesn't suit her, keep trying until you can find something suitable. It can sometimes be a bit rough travelling from clinic to clinic so it might be better to call them and speak to their intake worker. You can ask them if they can also recomend somewhere close to you that suits your needs.

Good luck with your journey and all the best. Don't be afraid to contact centres and ask for help.

MG

seekinghelp - I wish you and your partner all the best for your new little family, and hope you can find the help you need.

hey thanx for those words of encouragement we off to see the clinic doctor to day

and on monday off to rpah to speak with a lady who runs drugs in pregnancy

hopefully that will ease my partners mind

thanx again for your kind words and encouragement

jo sus

Hi seekinghelp,

let us know how you go....
Good luck.

Wishing you guys all the very best & congratulations on your pregnancy. Hope all goes well at the Dr's & you get the help you are seeking.

HI,

I would like to say I admire you for your achievements and the fact that you have left your comfort zones and getting on the computer to talk to people and seek out information and support show that you have grown as a person and I feel really positive that your choice to get clean is a life long choice for you. I have to ask though do you share the positive responces on the forum with your partner. Knowing that there are so many people out there either with experience, knowledge or just being open minded and non judgemental may be a real boost for her. And also seeing how much you care for her and your unborn child, enough to go out and seek support it is very touching. I hope she realises how lucky she is.

lots of love and hopes to a happy and healthy baby at the end of your journey

hi kungfubecca

i actually went looking for info advice and answers of my own accord

but came across this forum by accident

being a female forum if i can say that made it a bit awarked for me thats why in my first thread or comment that i put out there i mentioned i was a male seeknhelp for my partner

she reads everything i post and reads all the replies weather pos or neg

i give suz all the encouragement i can do what ever i can for her and child

she carries a lot of baggage from her past drugs relationships everything

i personally believe this is her biggest downfall you cant compare yesterday with today
if u know what i mean

we both have used for over 20+ years i managed to get off and have done so for the last 4yrs

for her the road to being clean has not been so easy in the last 14 months her best attempt has been 1month

she has just relapsed again this week not to h but to alcohol which is another addicition she battles

the road to recovery is xtremly hard only users know that i struggle every day even after 4yrs

but her well being is more important for now then child then me

ive waffled on a bit sorry

yes she reads all posts and replies

thanx for taking time to read

regard me jo her suz

ps what colour belt r u

Hi seekinghelp,

Congratulations to you on 4 years clean, and to your partner for making it one month onto the methadone program. I work in an agency which supports people living with alcohol and other drug issues including withdrawal, counselling, and the methadone program. My first advice would be to talk to the methadone prescriber - not just about methadone, but about the normal things they give you advice about when you are over 40 and pregnant. They may be able to find you and your partner some extra support if that is what you need.

Also, I find that a really good source of info is the DrugInfo Clearing House (Australian Drug Foundation). Here's some helpful and positive information on methadone and pregnancy from them:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnant women who are dependent on opiates are encouraged to enter a methadone program as early as possible into their pregnancy, as it is likely to result in fewer complications than the use of other opiates, such as heroin. This is because:

the unexpected periods of drug withdrawal experienced by pregnant women using other opiates (that can be harmful to the baby) do not occur when on a daily dose of methadone;
the lifestyle of women is often enhanced when on methadone treatment, resulting in improved nutrition and less stress, which all contribute to a healthier baby; and
methadone supplied by a pharmacy or treatment centre hasn't been cut/mixed with any other potentially harmful substance that may be passed on to the baby.
Like all opiates, methadone crosses the placenta to the unborn child. Many of the babies born to methadone-dependent mothers go through withdrawal at birth. Their symptoms vary in length and strength. These can be successfully treated while the baby is still in hospital. Overall, women using methadone have fewer problems during their pregnancy than those who continue to use heroin.

As small amounts of methadone may be passed on through breast milk, mothers that are on a methadone program are often encouraged to breastfeed in order to help ease the baby's withdrawal from methadone. Methadone has been found to reach its maximum level in breast milk between two and four hours after a dose, therefore feeding the baby just before a dose or taking the methadone just before the baby has a long sleep will reduce the amount available to the baby.

HI,
I hope you didn't think I was implying that your strugle would not stop, but your sacrifices are admirable.
I have to let you know I am kungfu in name not nature. My DH picked that nickname out for me about 8 years ago for no apparent reason and it has just stuck. It's always my log in.

As you both read the posts I want you both to know that even though most of us have no idea what you both go through on a daly basis, we still care and will be as supportive as possible. This isn't a place of judgement. I would encourage your partner that when she feels the need to follow her vices that she let reading and posting in places like the belly belly forum be her addiction, not the substances.

hey kungfu

i know you wernt impling that and i know we are not being judged by any one out there

over the years i have become extremly thick skined i try and take nothing personal

its funny that you mention suz substitutes belly belly for other substances i have suggested she substitute anything

how ever she feels embarresed and uncomfortable to speak about it even though you dont know her or cant see her

myself on the other hand am very open and comfortable with my past am also extemely ashamed i appreciate all the support advise that comes across this site am extremly greatfull to you all thanx it makes my burden a little lighter

thanx again

That's the beauty of a forum - you can seek the help you need while still retaining your anonimity if you want. We are not here to judge either of you for the life choices you have made, but we are here to give you both support and encouragement if you need it. The road ahead for both of you may not be easy at times, but if you ever need a shoulder to cry on or to let it all out, there will be someone here ready to lend you an ear.

Hi Jo and Suz

, How are you both going - i have had some drug problems in the past but mine (before pregnancy) was meth and ecstasy, and weed... i feel bad saying this on her now because this is the first time i have revealed it to everyone on here... But you know what i understand how it feels to be addicted and to want stuff you know is bad for you.... i went through a really hard time there for a few years.. but i would never want it any other way it has shaped the perosn i am now and i still like to get off tap but i have a child inside me that didnt ask for any of this.. it was a descision i made to have a baby and its a decision i made to not have the stuff now...and my kid needs a level headed mum and dad ..that can protect it from that crap...

So you arnt alone on here we arnt all model people... some of us and i am sure there are more ... who have made a few mistakes and can now offer you support because they have come through the other side doing ok...

at least Suz hasnt gone back to the H and if she can stay that way she and bubs will be so much better off.... for the sake of bubs she needs to.

but i am glad she has a great partner like yourself who knows this and wants to help her change not re-enforce her problem...

Suz, i encourage you to not feel embarrased... we are all here to help and support you through this noone will give you a hard time we are here for support and advice.. soem ladies on here are midwifes and people that work in maternity wards etc... hunny you couldnt ask for better support.... So i hope to see you write something soon...;)
Meegs

seeking help... you are so courageous (sp) to come on a forum and ask questions that were probably hard to ask not knowing how you would be recieved. i have been on and off drugs since age 9(i am currently 21) heroin, speed, pills pot whatever i could get my hands on and it is only recently that i have been clean of all of them and its only been at most a month since i relapsed... i too am desperately ttc...
congratulations on your pregnancy!!!
your gilfriend is so lucky to have someone like you to be there for her, especially someone who knows how it feels as you never truley understand if u havn't been through it.
although i don't have any advice for you guys i just wanted to say good on you for being clean and standing by your partner when she needs you the most!!! all the best for your pregnancy

hi noni e

thanx for sharing that with us its not an easy road i was 11 when i started and suz about 18

now im 44 suz 38

suz also took anything and every to the max good on you for getting clean abstain from all appearences of evil which is very hard in this world we live

there are so many people out there who would love to bring us undone

i work as a brikkie labrour full of alchos and druggos they know im clean 4yrs yet constantly offer drugs and grog they tell me my life is so boring my reply you guys r the LOOSERS

any how thanx for that suz will appreciate reading that knowing you both have form so to speak
thanx again



im sure when suz reads this it will give her such a good rush

she recently relapsed not to drugs but alcohol

stay strong :) she'll get through its just one day at a time :)

yeah thanx

how hard is that one day ????????

Just wanted to let you know again that you're doing a great job.

Hope Suz can fight her way through as you did.

Hi Seekinghelp,

I was thinking about you guys yesterday - hoping you 3 are still ok.... Hows bubs doing ?

How are you and suz going.......

hi meegm

things are pretty lousy to tell you the truth

suz has been out of control the last 3/4 days drinking her self into a mess i missed all the signs; yesterday was really bad i mean really bad full on desperation i really lost it yesterday

but any how took her to st vincents tring to get her into a detox they kept her in overnight and r tring to get her in somewhere

her folks and sister are tring to force her in to a termination if its not already gone thru self abuse

suz has a very long history of self abuse bad relationships

i just dont know what triggers her off any occasion christmas easter birthdays just sets her off i cant think straight i love her to death shes not very up front when she is hangin but is extremly good at lying and turning the tables around if you know what i mean

i just have to hang in there pray and hope all goes well for her especially

any how thanx your short note give me a bit of a lift

jo

Oh Jo - that is terrible... but termination - IT IS YOUR BABY ASWELL and why should you lose something you so obvisoulsy nwant and need in your life.... I so applaude you for hanging in there.

You just need to remain storng and keep getting her the help she needs...

Mate i wish i could give you a big hug.. How far along is she now.