Drug Detox: Methadone Symptoms & Side Effects

Question: Will a drugs detox program hurt my baby?

(Posted by: Bekka on 2008-12-15 06:47:25)

I am on a detox program for my addiction to heroin. I've been on it almost two weeks and I'm planning to stick to it as in the past I would only half complete it but I'm doing the whole thing for my baby, myself and Ty - my boyfriend. But I'm just wondering if the detox program will hurt my baby? I was on heroin for the first few weeks of pregnancy but I'm not taking it anymore and I'm almost 3 months pregnant.

Posted by: Barkindawg on 2008-12-15, 06:59:06

The detox program will not harm your baby unless your taking drugs to control your addiction, however your baby will be on a come down the same as yourself and hopefully in 6 months the drugs will be out of its body. DO NOT TAKE ANYMORE HEROIN (OR DRUGS AT THAT MATTER) or you may have long term damage on your baby.

Posted by: PixieGrl on 2008-12-15, 06:58:53

From what I found on the internet (and I'm not sure it's reliable, but you never know), detox is generally safe while pregnant if it's for a non-opiate derived drug; but it's pretty unsafe and can actually be fatal if it's for a drug derived from opiates. Heroin is an opiate-derived drug, so they say that methadone is the best way to stay off heroin during a pregnancy, but that the baby MAY be born addicted to methadone and might need a 2-week weaning off period after birth, but it's the safest way for the baby. Congratultaions for staying off heroin, and congratulations for taking control of your addiction. My recommendation is to go to a clinic or a doctor and see if you can't get more medical advice, because I really don't know much beyond what the internet tells me. If there's a Planned Parenthood in your area, they have trained staff that might be able to give you the information you need, maybe even over the phone. Good luck!

Posted by: thisisfun123 on 2008-12-15, 07:00:49

I have read that it can be hard on the baby and can cause a miscarriage so it is something you need to do under close monitoring for your babys sake, but its better to take the chance and get clean now for you and your baby than it would be to keep subjecting your baby to heroin if you would start back up again. Good job, and just remember that you are doing it for your baby, and you need to take special care and make sure you are doing it and being monitored for problems with the baby, but it can be done!

Posted by: tormentt on 2008-12-15, 07:17:18

The ppl helping you with the program know you are pregnant, they should be helping you, monitoring you and the baby..to ensure nothing goes wrong. it can and will be a struggle for both of you since you both especialy since were still using when you were first pregnant...your baby then too was using too...( so that means you are both going thru detox) anyway....with the proper care from counselors and doctors and keeping things monitored...everything should come out ok....just make sure to stay clean for your lilone so you both can have a happy healthy clean life with your boyfriend/ the father.... Good Luck to you and your lilone.