Took a Vicodin and Now Im Pregnant & Freaking Out!!

Updated on December 27, 2007
R.M. asks from Temecula, CA
41 answers

Yesterday I took a pregnancy test because I knew there was a slight chance that I could have gotten pregnant on the 9th or 10th of this month (would have had to ovulate a few days late). It was clearly negative. It was the day I was supposed to get my period and it was a First Response so I assumed the results were valid. Then I was lifting heavy boxes at work last night and pulled something in my back pretty bad. I had some vicodin that was left over from getting my wisdom teeth pulled awhile back so I took one and went to bed. Well this morning when my period still had not come I took the other test that was in the box and after like 8 mins I got a super faint positive. Went and bought another and same thing, faint +. So now I am really freaking out as I know the neural tube is forming any day now and I took the vicodin. I am beating myself up over it so bad because I don't know why I took it if I thought there was even ANY chance I could be pregnant but I really thought I wasn't, I don't usually even take tylenol!! I am so worried about what I may have done :( Has anyone had this happen or know what can happen if you take a vicodin in the first trimester? Please help!!

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So What Happened?

Wow, thank you all so much for your responses. When I got ahold of my OB she said what most of you had said, and she even chuckled a little when I told her how bad I was freaking out. I have done a ton of research and have found out that there is a period known as the "all or nothing" period from conception to about 17 days later in which the ball of undifferentiated cells is either able to repair itself or you miscarry. So any teratogen in that period either destroys the pregnancy or the damaged cells regenerate and repair themselves. At 17 days the ball of cells is now an embryo and the newly differentiated cells can no longer repair themselves. Kind of interesting... I read it in a well documented medical journal too so its not something someone just made up... made me feel a lot better. BTW, I did take 2 more tests, one about 8 hours later than the first and the other today and the line has gotten progressively darker so looks like I am prego for sure. :) Thanks again for all your support!!

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B.B.

answers from San Diego on

You are fine, just relax.... I can't take my migrane meds. because I am pregnant, so the Doc. actually gave me Vicodin for migranes. You will be fine.

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A.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Look at the lot numbers of the first test and compare them to the lot numbers of the other tests. If the lot number on the first test is different than the lot numbers on the second tests, that can explain the issue with the faint response. These tests have a certain tolerance to them. Not all of them will respond the same way.

It's too early to freak out, and besides its highly unlikely that once or even two doses of Vicodin is going to cause pregnancy issues.

Go to the CDC website and see what, if any information, you can find about studies with pregnancy and Vicodin.

Don't worry, everything will be OK.
~A.

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C.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

First, calm down. Freaking out is worse for the baby than 1 vicodin. The shelf life is short. Drinklots of water and relax. And congratulations on the baby.

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L.A.

answers from San Diego on

Don't stress. It's done. Your baby will be just fine. Stressing out over this will do far more damage. Relax, and look forward to your perfect baby. Then, when he or she starts acting like an obnoxious nut case during the teen years, you will have something to blame - it was that darn vicodin pill! :0)
I was on some heavy-duty medication when I became pregnant with my "surprise" baby, who came along 13 years after my previous kids. My doctor told me that worrying about it would do the most damage. Many major drug users have normal babies. Alcoholics. Women on chemo. One vicodin is nothing to worry about.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Let me please put your mind at ease....one vicodin is going to do nothing dangerous to the fetus...Pregnant women (including myself) have been prescribed vicodin by doctors for pain in pregnancy. Obviously, you shouldn't be popping pills at random but as a mother of two and friend of numerous ob/gyns and nps in maternal health, I can assure you none of them would blink at the thought that a patient had taken a vicodin. Think how many healthy babies are born to women who don't even know they are pregnant for months, or who do abuse drugs?....All in moderation. Relax.......

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K.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think you are fine, it is too soon for the vicodin to do anything harmful, no worries, move on and enjoy your pregnancy

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C.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I dont know what can happen, but know I will say a prayer for you and your child tonight.

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

R.,

Try not to stress too much. Most likely everything is fine. Think of how many "unhealthy" people (prostitutes, drug addicts, etc.) have healthy normal babies. Go to your doctor and have all of your check ups and take your vitamines and you'll be fine.

Take care,
M.

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B.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

R.,

Please do NOT freak out! I was drunk and stoned when I took my pregnancy test and it was positive and my baby is fantastic and my doctor told me not to worry about it. My baby was 2 weeks along at that time. Dont' judge me! I only went to town because I was convinced I could not get pregnant, (which may be why I was indulging) otherwise I would have never done it as well. So, fear not. You are fine!

B.

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S.R.

answers from San Diego on

Have you had the results validated by your doctor? If not, I suggest you do so, so you can get the ball rolling on all your prenatal care. Also, I don't think once Vicodin is going to hurt your baby. The best thing you can do now is take care of yourself, by eating right, making sure you take a prenatal supplement, limiting caffeine and I personally recommend extra folic acid. You can get a prescription for sure, and I imagine it's also available over the counter. I don't know if there's any research to support this, but after a miscarriage, when I was ready to get pregnant again, I took extra folic acid and I swear it helped me have a healthy pregnancy. Either way, it can't hurt. Do your best to take care of yourself and things will most likely be fine.

Let us know what happens!

S.

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R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

R.,
I have bad knees and got really heavy during my pregnancies. my doctor prescribed vicodin - so you know, vicodin is the same drug as tylenol which is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. DON'T feel bad! I think you are completely safe :)

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D.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi R. - I am NOT a doctor, however it is my understanding that Vicodin does not pass through the placenta and therefore cannot harm the baby. Of course you wouldn't want to over do it. As for Tylenol - I think that is one of the very few pain relievers you can take and for the same reason. Of course it is always best to check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Don't beat yourself up - I am a grandmother and a mother of two wonderfully healthy children (in their 30's. You don't even want to know what we took (and did) back then!

Congrats if you are pregnant. Happy New Year.
D. B.

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A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Don't beat yourself up about it. I did the same exact thing. I had taken quite a few vicodin (over the spand of a week - I hurt my back also) and had some alcohol beverages while on vacation. Come to find out that I was pregnant. This all happened the first two months I was pregnant. I actually had my period the first month I was pregnant, so I didn't know either. I remember worrying and crying and beating myself up about it. But, I now have a completely healthy 3 month old son. He is beautiful and perfectly fine. Don't worry everything will be okay. Talk to your OB about it and they will tell you the same thing.

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T.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I took vicodin extremely early in my pregnancy (before I knew) as well. Everything turned out fine, and my daughter is happy and healthy. Don't worry!

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N.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

H R.

Please relax and dont worry... Im sure if youre preggo your baby will be just fine.. Just make sure not to take anymore-until you are sure.. A faint positive can still mean your preggo. I KNOW THAT FIRST HAND! Best wishes you you!
Happy Holidays!

Coach N.

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M.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hey R.,
Please don't worry too much about this. The baby is nourished by the yolk sac till about week 6 and therefore not receiving nutrients from your blood yet. You liver can clear one pill within 12-24 hours. Most moms have a similiar story with some substance or another that they wouldn't have taken had they known they were pregnant. It is the repetitious consumption of products known to cause defects in the developing fetus (like alcohol). I am sure your baby will be absolutely fine and that this one time ingestion will not cause any effects. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

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D.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

You are only lik a a minute pregnant. you are probably just fine. 1 vicodin isn't going to hurt you. you took it so early in the pregnancy no big deal. The egg probably didn't even implant yet. If this is a habbit then you should worry. just relax, don't lift those heavy boxes anymore and enjoy the next 9 months. I took codeine while I was pregnant with my son, before I knew it for over a week. He is now almost 7 and quite fine.

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H.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

R.,
First congrtulations and dont worry. I am not a Dr. but I understand your concern and I can tell you that on my othrer Mommy board this happens all the time and everyone has gone on to have healthy babys. I would verify with your Dr. but if I remember correctly another Mommy did something very similar to this and her Dr. told her that this happens often the 1st month after conception. When most Mommies to be do not know they are pregnant they have a drink or take a medicine and still everything is ok. Now that is not to say to anyone to make a habit of doing this but I would take a deep breath and celebrate your holiday gift to come and relax.
Happy Hoildays,
H.

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M.W.

answers from Honolulu on

if you are prgnant, it's the first trimester and I don't think you should worry about it much. I freaked out after finding out I was pregnant knowing I had consumed alcohol at a superbowl party the week before I knew I was a month along....my Dr. assured me that it was nothing to worry about.

my son is nine now and scores off the charts. In the third grade he was reading at a fifth grade level (he was tested by his school). So clearly, he was not mal affected. But now that you know you are, read up on all the wonderful nutrition books out there for pregnant women. Fill yourself up with as much nutrient rich food that will help your baby grow and develope to it's full potential....and don't forget at least eight full glasses of water a day!!

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B.S.

answers from San Diego on

R.,
Well, I am not a dr. but I would not worry about it. Actually, a friend of mine, when she was pregnant last year, the ER prescribed her vicodin because she was having severe pain. And I took plenty of vicodin right after my daughter was born and I was nursing her because I had C-ssection pain.
Just let your dr know but my guess is that it is safe.

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Relax, call your doctor, get a pregnancy test and ask her about the vicodin.

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M.C.

answers from San Diego on

I wouldn't worry about it, Vicodin is one of the few pain killers that you can take while pregnant. Just don't take any more until you talk to your doctor! Good Luck!

M.

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B.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've always heard that in the first month or so, the baby is sort of on auto-pilot and is too busy doing the basic stuff to even care what you've put in your body! Think of all the people who partied in that first month before they knew they were pregnant (not that you were partying). Since you can't change it now, I think you should focus on being positive and healthy and that will be better for your baby than if you continue to worry :) By the way, congrats!!

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C.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

For heaven's sake - quit freaking out!!! You "freaking" out, in my opinion, only makes you nervous and edgy, which you can pass on to your fetus and you don't want to do that. Just relax and thank god you only took one!

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B.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

One pill is not likely to cause major damage. I am a foster/adopt mom with 4 prenatal drug exposed kids (2 9yr & 2 1yr). It usual will take continued exposure for there to be problems. Please don't beat yourself up. The stress can be just as bad or worse. Have faith you did your best to keep your baby safe.

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V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

This hasn't happened to me, but a thought came to mind that may help. Maybe the vicodin is effecting the pregnancy test. It's still in your blood and the test I think tests for certain amino acids in your urine (if that's the kind you took) I think it's possible since it's a "faint" positive that it might be screwing with the results. Remain calm and take another test after a few days to be sure it's positive. Then after that I'd go in for a check up to confirm it and let them know your concerns. I'm sure it will be ok. Worrying isn't going to help you. Try to stay calm and think clearly.
I wish you well.

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K.R.

answers from San Diego on

Do not worry about the vicodin like everyone else said. However, you may not be pregnant. The valid test result is within 2 minutes and up to 5 minutes generally. At 8min, the test is too old. Take another test in 2-3 days if you do not get a period to verify. Remember, in pregnancy, as in life, everything in moderation - one vicodin, one drink, etc will not harm anything, but daily use will. It is the same with healthy eating, exercise, etc - don't overdo it and aim for 90% healthy, 10% treats or splurges and you'll do fine.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

My best friend did not find out she was pregnant until she was almost 11 weeks. She had taken several home pregnancy tests that were all negative, and as she suffers from extreme migraines, was also intermittently taking pain killers during that time. Her son was born perfectly healthy and beautiful and is now a very bright 14 month old. ( = Don't beat yourself up too much; I'm sure all is well.

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K.M.

answers from Honolulu on

I was prescribed vicodin during pregnancy for migranes. Something about how much doesn't get through the placenta barrier so my doctor said it was fine. I had twins so he was being extra cautious.

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A.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

stop freaking out that's what. one vicodin is not going to kill your baby. your body is smart and has a natural way of defending and protecting your baby. there are so many babies that survive from moms shooting up a vicodin.

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L.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Don't worry!!! I didn't know I was preggers for almost 3 months and in the beginning I was behaving really really badly :)
I had to be carried out of a club for passing out - we thought I was too drunk (how embarrassing) but later found out it was our little one. I told my Dr. about my partying and she said not to worry, this is very common - and our Baby girl is healthy and beautiful!
Think about all the drugs and drinking many Moms were doing in the 70s. Just be good from here on in. Congrats - it's the most amazing experience - every day is magic.

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R.P.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Please don't worry. I've been told by numerous doctors that a lot of women do drugs and drink heavily during the firts two months of pregnancy because a lot of times they do not know or don't think they are pregnant and almost all the time, nothing adverse happens to the embryo/fetus. I think it he/she is protected by a higher power if you are a good person, sounds like you are.
Blessings,
R.
P.S. I got drunk a few days before I found out I was pregnant and nothing bad happened to my son. I hardly ever drink, too!

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D.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

While I was pregnant my doctor told me it was fine to take Vicodin if I really needed too. I never did but just so you know I dont think it is really that big of a deal. I mean it is not like you did herioin or cocain.
Dont freak out I am sure everything will be fine.

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S.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tylenol is a better choice, even if you're just trying. I think if it was just 1, and not over an extended period of time, you'll be fine. The most important thing of the neural tubes is folic acid. Make sure you're taking prenatal vitamins and retest again in a few days. Think of how much some of our parents use to drink, smoke, etc (before they knew it was really bad during pregnancy). We all turned out pretty good. A lot of people do things they wouldn't normally do the 1st trimester, because they don't know they are pregnant. The key from now on is that when you're actively trying, assume you're pregnant all the time when you decide to drink or take anything. Don't worry too much. My neighbor was even prescribed Vicoden after she had to have her gallbladder out during her pregnancy. Also, if you have to lift heavy boxes at work, I would get a blood pregnancy test from your doctor right away to confirm the pregnancy, so he can put you on lighter duty effective immediately.

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M.F.

answers from San Diego on

You will be fine - don't worry. One vicodin will not hurt you or your baby. I took antibiotics at this point in my pregnancy and my baby was perfect -- yours will be, too.
Say a prayer of thanks and enjoy this beautiful time without stress or worry...
Congratulations!

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D.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

R., I wouldn't worry! The Doctor gives you Vicodin for pain relief while breastfeeding and while pregnant because Vicodin is in the Tylenol family. If it was only 1 pill I don't think you should stress. People do worse things before they find out their pregnant.

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T.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

People do a lot worse than that (intentionally) and their children are born just fine...

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S.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

As your doctor will tell you when you go, "don't worry over this". Do you know how many innappropriate things millions of women around the world take, drink, eat or do before we know we are pregnant? I am not I doctor but I can say you have nothing to fear. It is so early that baby is just implanting itself into the uterus. In my first pregnancy (all before I had any chance of knowing I was pregnant) I was drinking on New YEar's Eve, I was suffering from extremem back pain and migrains and took tylenol with codein, vicodin, Excediren, had lower back X-rays taken...He is now 6'2, gorgeous, extremely fit and healthy, very intelligent - nothing was ever wrong. In this last pregnancy I was taking Hydroxy cut at the time I got pregnant, I was on the pill for the first two months (this is why I didn't know I was pregnant), due to my history of headaches I was taking all kinds of head medication, I was on coffee overload - the list goes on. My doctors said at that time that it was so early there was no need to fear of any harm. Of course I did through all ultrasounds until the time I gave birth to a perfectly happy, healthy, smart baby boy. But it was unnecessary as I know it will be with you. Don't sweat it! Just do your best to stay healthy and free of anything considered harmful from this point forward.

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A.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

You know, more than likely, your baby will be just fine. It takes alot more than just one vicodin to disrupt cell division like that. As a midwife, I get all sorts of situations like these that come my way and I have never seen anything that has resulted in a comprimised fetus, with far worse than vicoden ingested. At 12 weeks, you can do a nuchal fold scan that would see alot of different congenital conditions...but I wouldn't worry. Most likely, your baby is fine.

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R.O.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Breathe.....

These little miracles inside are strong. You both will be fine. This is the beginning of many a concern. Trust in that life, it is strong and vital. Tell it your thoughts, and assure it that all is well.

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S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Please don't worry. The stress you are putting on yourself is far worse than the vicodin you took. I am sick all of the time. I have lupus and take tons of medication including regular doses of pain medication. With two of my three children, I did not know I was pregnant and was taking vicodin for a week with one and close to three with the other. I was taken off of the medication right away but everything was fine. My doctor just said what I wrote above...."The stress I was putting on myself was worse than the medication I took. Congrats on the baby and enjoy this time! Have a great Christmas!

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