Seeking Advice on Being on Hydrocodne While Pregnant

Hi L.,

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My sister is in the same situation as you are right now, but she is still trying to get pregnant. She had Leukemia and has had two hip replacements due to the deterioration of her joints from the medicine to fight her cancer. She also has elbow and knee pain, but the joint loss is "not bad enough yet" to warrant surgery. She is on oxycodone for pain management, but is going through artificial insemination right now to try to get pregnant. If she were to just quit her meds after being on them for so long her body would probably go through a major withdrawl and she could even die. She said that her doctors have told her it is safe to get pregnant with the drugs she is currently taking. I have had a hard time with it just because she has always used her illness as a crutch, but I love her and realize that I am not helping her by saying anything. They have one child all ready from before she got sick so it does not seem like a good idea to get pregnant at all in her condition. But it is mainly because she can not take very good care of herself or her son. Not because her hips or pain meds that make me feel that way. The reason I say that is she has trouble sleeping for long periods of time with her pain and gets up at night to put a heat pack on and take her meds. She ends up staying up reading for a couple hours, and then can not wake up in the morning with her 6 year old son. And this has been going on for 4 years. I've called her and her son has answered the phone and she is not even able to wake up to talk to me and then I have to drive over and take care of her son.
I'm sorry this got so long, but I think your baby will be okay, and that the meds are probably necessary especially because if you tried to get off them completely your body would go through too much stress and it would not be easy to carry your baby to full term. I do though think you need to have a plan for yourself. If you end of hurting your knee worse with the weight of the pregnancy and are unable to walk or whatever you should have someone who is able to be there to help you with the baby. Good luck to you!

L., what a tough situation. I have not personally had chronic pain but I see people who do on a daily basis in my job as an RN. Narcotic withdrawal is very uncomfortable (pain, sweats, insomnia, shakes) but it is not life threatening. (alcohol withdrawal can be) The patients that come to the ED withdrawing from narcotics do feel like they will die though. My advice would be to investigate several alternative medicine routes like acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care...and call the girl who gave you her #! Over the next several weeks continue to take less and less. You will hurt. But maybe some of the other things above will be enough to keep your BP down and pain manageable. Think of your precious gift from God and ask HIM to guide you through. Prayer is so powerful. Take care of yourself and God Bless you and your baby.

I am a nurse on a postpartum unit in Madison. the doctors and nurses have patients that are on pain medication and pregnant all the time. After the baby is born the nurses and pediatricians may do what is called Abstinance scoring on your baby. Basically it is a number rating for different signs and symptoms of withdrawal in the baby from narcotics...Things like excessive yawning, sneezing, high pitched cry, poor feeding , excessive spitting up and jitteriness. If the baby scores high on these, then further evaluation is done by the NICU. Also, I dont know if you plan on breastfeeding but that helps the baby from withdrawing since they are getting a small amt of the medicine they were getting prenatally through the umbilical cord, now through breast milk. I would make sure to tell your concerns to your OB and peds so they too can answer your questions...hope this helps:) Your baby will be fine:)

Hi there L.,

Though I was not on hydrocodone during my entire pregnancy, it was prescribed to me towards the end because of a painful ovarian cyst flare-up. I was on 5/325 1-2 pills every 4-6hrs. This too was necessary because of pain. My dr felt that was the safest "non" over the counter drug to take during my pregnancy. Maybe they can lower the dose some. But my son was born with no ill effects from the medication. I was on it for about 4 weeks straight before I had him. Fortunately, though it was quite painful when it happened, the cyst burst before I gave birth--so at least that didn't complicate things for me. Anyway, I wouldn't be extremely concerned. It's better to keep your stress levels down for the baby, as well as your BP.....meaning pain increases your stress/anxiety levels. Also, if you are in too much pain to get around, that is not good either. Staying active while you are pregnant is healthy for the baby. So if you weigh the pros and cons, in my opinion it is better to stay on the medication. Also, I was on percocet after I had my son and breastfeeding. He had zero long-term effects from that.

Sorry for the long-winded paragraph, but I hope this information was helpful to you.

B.

Hi L.,

I have absolutely no advice for you I just didn't want you to be discouraged by the lack of responses. Your situation is so unique, I don't think anyone has the ability or knowledge to give advice. Sorry.

Hopefully another reader will respond with some great advice but, if not, know that we still care!

Blessings, K.

Dear L.,
My heart goes out to you. My husband used Oxycodone years ago for a neck situation and I must say that is an intense drug. I pray your Dr.s take very good care of you and your child. I cannot answer any of your questions about how this will affect you and your baby.
L. you NEED to learn about Reliv. I have so many people you can talk to you regarding pain management, people that no longer need knee replacements (my husband is one of them), people that used Reliv as a prenatal in their pregnancy (I am one of them), etc. We don't make any claims that Reliv heals but the people it has helped is amazing. I am a huge advocate for babies so I just had to respond to you.
Call me anytime ###-###-####. It is important to at least learn how this could possible help you at such an important time of your life and your childs life.
GOD BLESS and may GOD lead you.
L.

Hi L., I have no experience with your situation but I have heard that there are things to help with lowering blood pressure with out medication... some natural remedies... not sure if this helps but keep praying and I know that God will give you the peace for the right thing to do in your situation.
:)

Hello, I hope the pain doesn't get too much for you. I was on Hydrocodone daily for 4-5 months while i was pregnant with my second child for pain relief also (they also put me on bedrest). I started taking it about half way through the pregnancy. As far as my son, he is perfectly healthy with out any problems noted. His apgar scores were great at delivery. It wasn't the easiest to get off of after the delivery, yes there is pain that lingers :) but i was successful. I pray you will find the strength to accomplish it all, and have a healthy baby.

I don't know anything about hydrocodone but I do know that it sounds like you are not being selfish at all :)
I know how you feel somewhat. When I got pregnant I ended up having an eptopic pregnancy and had to have emergency surgery to remove my left tube (where the baby was stuck) it was major surgery and I was put under with morphine and everything. When they sent me home, they gave me Tylenol 3 with codine and Vicodin for the pain. 2 weeks later I found out I was still pregnant with another baby! I had twins originally, but since my tube ruptured they couldn't see the other baby in my uterus because of all the blood clots!
My baby girl just turned 1 2 weeks ago and she is perfectly healthy even after all those drugs I took during surgery and afterwards.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should do what your doctors tell you. If they say that taking the medicine (as little as you can to get by) then you should. Babies are fighters and what's meant to be will be.

Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations!!!
J.

HI L.,
Congrats on your pregnancy:) I had to take hydrocodne during the last month of my pregnancy thanks to pressure on a broken rib. I was told that the medication did not pass the placental barrier and would be no harm to my son. I had been in nursing before my kids were born and for severe pain it was common for them to prescribe hydrocodne but it is considered an unknown as far as effects on the unborn baby. The first trimester is the most vulnerable..there is allot going on at this point as far as all developmental milestones so the least amount you can take would obviously be the best!! As your pregnancy advances they might suggest that you stay off of your feet as much as possible so as not to aggrivate the knee and lessen the need for pain killers.
It will make the pregnancy long but at the end it is well worth it:)
Good luck with everthing and I will say a prayer for you!!
Amy

I just wanted to let you know you are NOT alone! I had to take a narcotic throught out two pregnancies and all was ok. The second pregnancy was a total surprise blessing so that's why I was on the rx for that pregnancy as well. My ob/gyn was absolutely WONDERFUL. My pain clinic left me in the dust so my obgyn took over my care while I was pregnant. There were times she did have me see a perinatologist to make sure things were ok. I had a few extra ultrasounds and such but all was well. Often times dr.s give hydrocodone as a pain killer after you have a baby even if you are nursing. If you like and trust your dr. you will do well. Unfortunately my son (third pregnancy) was a little addicted and did go through some withdrawal sypmtoms. They had him in the NICU and watched him very closely. He did very well. He's totally fine now and he's two! Just make sure you are taking your vitamins, eating healthy and sleeping well. If you take care of yourself your pregnancy will probably go really well and your baby will be just fine! Your dr.s will take care of you and will not put the baby in harms way. Just trust God and yourself and know you are doing what you have to do at this time. I have chronic pain as well and sometimes it is a lonely feeling. Especially if you are pregnant and worried about your baby. You are not alone! Hang in there!

Hi L.,

Well, firstly congrats on your pregnancy! You have lots of responses but I don't think that I had read one with someone that actually experienced your situation, so I had to respond. I didn't have a situation identical to yours where I HAD to take pain meds everyday but through the course of my pregnancy I had 14 incidents where I had to take Vicodin ES and percocet to manage pain because I have a very high tolerance to medications so Tylenol 3 and such had no effects on me. So, it seems off and on my entire pregnancy I was on pain meds. My daughter was born healthy and happy. No addictions that we were aware of, no withdrawls. Our bodies have a way of protecting our babies while in utero through the roughest times I beleive. Just have faith and trust you are doing everything possible to have a happy and healthy baby. My daughter is now almost 5 and is a typical little girl! Attitude and everything! Good luck L..

E.

My doctor put me on it through my pregnancy, he absolutly forbid ibuprophin! I was shocked that a narcotic would be safer than ibuprophin, but it is.
I had no issues with my son being addicted. I did not take it as much as you may need to though. I mainly only took it at night because I only had pain when I was laying down. But for the first 4 months I took it more often, as I was laying down constantly due to morning sickness.
If you breast feed after delivery, your baby will still be getting some, so that would help with withdrawl, you can both ween off of it.
In the long run, the baby dealing with withdrawl is a lot better than dealing with an extreme premie because of your blood pressure. Trust your doctor here.

I was on Vicodin pretty regularly during the last few months of my pregnancy for kidney stones. The morning my water broke, I had yet ANOTHER kidney stone so I took Vicodin. When I went to the clinic they had me do a non-stress test and the baby wasn't kicking very much - pretty sleepy from the vicodin they said. SHe was bord healthy, no side effects. During my 1st pregnanyc I was hospitalized with stones too and they had me on IV morphone, vistaril, vicodin... and everything turned out fine that time too. Just try your best to decrease it but if you need it take it. Good luck :)

Hi L.!

I too am 4-5 weeks pregnant, and while I am not taking what you are I am on depression medication and walking through the same thing. The doctors are concerned the withdrawal right now in this early stage would be more detrimental than helpful. There are programs to wean you off slowly in the 3rd trimester to help the baby not go through withdrawal that you might want to ask about.

Of course it's not ideal to be on medication while pregnant, but luckily there are such advances in technology that we can watch the babies closely and make sure every thing's okay. If it makes you feel better, my OB said she's seen women on chemo give birth to healthy babies! :)

Just stay positive, and remember that you have to do what works for you. Not every mom, or every pregnancy is the same, and it's important that you do what you need to!

Take care!
Jenny

It looks like you have some good responses already, but I just wanted to give you a bit more reassurance. I had to take Hydrocodone 500mg 6 times a day from about week 10 through week 29 of my pregnancy. My ob assured me that it was totally safe. My son was not born addicted and there were no other issues with him through the pregnancy or beyond. He was born perfectly healthy and is still perfectly healthy now, 16 months later. Congratulations and good luck!

I don't know if you have tried a Tens unit for your pain. If not, you should ask your dr about using one. They don't help everyone, but help many many people who can't or don't want to take pain meds. I work for Empi, who sells them. I'm not trying to sell you one or anything, but it may be a very good idea to try to see if it can help get you off or atleast reduce the amount of pain meds you are taking. It is a prescription item that basically you put sticky pads on the pain areas and it give electrical stimulation on the area. If you have more questions, feel free to send me a message. Otherwise ask your dr about one!

When I found out I was pregnant I was also on 3 different prescription drugs: Cymbalta, Gabapentin & Oxycodone ER for a chronic pain medical condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome or RSD basically I damaged the nerves in my left foot and they grew back twisted and even though my foot is healed the nerves still send back pain messages to my brain. My husband and I weren't planning to get pregnant because of my medical condition but it happened. Immediately, I was taken off the Cymbalta & Gabapentin but left on the Oxy for pain relief. All of my doctors were advised of my condition and being on Oxy. My due date was Oct 18 of last year. On Oct 1st my pain doctor started to wean me off the Oxy by cutting my dosage - it took 5 days. They weaned me off slowly so I would have less withdrawals, I fortunately had no withdrawal symptoms and had been on Oxy for over a year. The pain when I was off my meds was manageable and something happened with my brain chemistry, I haven't been on Oxy since I was weined off - still in pain but it is manageable. My baby was born with no complications from the Oxy and 11 months later is the picture of health. My advise call your pain management doctor and set up an appointment. Let all of your doctors know about your pain medication each time you have an appointment and get a plan in place. I was extremely scared I wouldn't be able to handle the pain and the effects on my baby but somehow your body takes care of you if you let it. Best wishes!!!!

Hi...just noticed you posted in a different place the same question...just posting my response here also..

I had a similar pain management issue during pregnancy, and after learning the facts about what this drug could do to the baby and even me, I decided to tough it out and go cold turkey...no pain meds until my c-section when I had a saddle block.

What happened to me was I fell down two flights of steps and broke my pelvis in a couple of places, right in the middle of my pregnancy. I was told that there was nothing they could do for a broken pelvis...you can't set this in a cast. The only thing they could do was give me similar drugs you have been prescribed for pain management until the scheduled c-section (couldn't deliver vaginally because of the broken pelvis).

The pain was excruciating. I had already delivered one child, and I can tell you the pain from the broken pelvis superceded the pain of childbirth!! I was bedridden for many months and when I needed to move or walk it hurt so bad I'd vomit or almost black out. I couldn't function. But I also was able to stay home during pregnancy..so while I was miserable, I didn't have to worry about going to work or other obligations.

I was very tempted to take the pain killers, but learned that while there have been no formal studies on the effects of this drug on fetuses, it has been observed that not only was there a risk the baby would be born addicted, but some theorize the baby may be more likely to acquire a lifelong predisposition toward addiction that goes beyond withdrawl and addiction at birth!

I also learned that as with any drug use during pregnancy, there was a risk of possible complications for the baby such as breathing problems immediately after delivery, and in some reports, babies born addicted have been observed as having adverse behavioral problems.

If you are going to breastfeed the baby, the effects of the drug are intensified including suppressed breathing and related complications.

This drug also has abortive properties which means it may cause miscarriage, especially if combined with aspirin, which is common in pain management, the combined use can cause bleeding and complications for both mother and child during delivery.

I know when you suffer with serious pain it's a tough call, but in the big picture there is too much at stake for your little one. Especially since even the medical industry warns that while no formal studies have been done on its effects on fetuses, the drug is indeed considered unsafe for the unborn and should only be used in extreme circumstances under careful guidance of a physician.

I decided it wasn't worth it. I truly almost lost my mind a few times, but when it came time to deliver, and the baby was born perfectly healthy and I was finally able to take something for my pain, I felt it was well worth the sacrifice. And I do it all over again knowing that it would mean a delivery with no complications, and a safe and perfectly healthy baby.

Here are some of the sources I used to present my findings about this drug and pregnancy. The sites are very long and detailed, alot to go through, if you don't find what you're looking for, I just did a general search on yahoo for "hyrocondone and effects on fetus, and hydrocondone and pregnancy" oxycondone comes up for these searches, probably because these are in the same family of drugs;

http://headaches.about.com/library/meds/bl-drug-prof-op.htm

http://www.webmd.com/baby/best-choices-baby?page=16

http://www.migraines.org/treatment/prooxyco.htm

L.,

My husband and I dealt with chronic pain and I know it isn't easy. I will be praying for you and your family, especially the miracle from God in your womb as you deal with these obstacles. I will be sending you an email of encouragement!

A.