|
Author |
Message |
Sharon
*ADMINISTRATOR*
Posts: 1281
Registered: Mar 2006 |
 Posted February 17th, 2009 07:19 PM IP   
Vicky,
Sorry! Of course you are correct- I was thinking about something else when I typed the gestational age considered to be 2nd trimester. I edited my post to reflect the correct info.
I'm glad you feel better since making a decision. In the end the only thing that matters is that your baby is born of normal weight, close to full term as possible and healthy. If he or she has NAS that will pass and when he or she is a year old, 2 years old and older that period of time he/she has NAS will be a distant memory since when compared to a lifetime it truly is a blink of an eye time-wise!
The greatest gift you can give your child is a healthy start in life and to be born to a stable mom who's recovery is strong and well established!
Good for you for doing your best to provide this for your baby- Just like all the moms here are doing everyday!
Hugs!
Sharon
Sharon Dembinski, RNP, CMA
Registered Nurse Practitioner
Certified Methadone Advocate
Board of Directors- Methadone Support Org
508 864-0311
|
|
   |
|
Brittany
Member
Posts: 8
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted February 27th, 2009 07:49 PM IP
Hey my name is Brittany and I just joined this today because I need some support and I also wanted to talk to some other mothers that are on the methadone and pregnant. I am a mother of two so far and I am 31 wks pregnant with my 3rd girl. I have been on methadone for about 3 months now and I dont have anyone to talk to about things like this. I would like to know about other ppl that have taken this and the outcomes of their pregnancy. What mg they were on and how it effected their baby and what did their OBs say to them...My OB was not very happy when I told her that I was on the methadone. So if I can get some feedback that would be great..Thanks and hope to hear from someone soon
Brittany
|
|
|
|
susie3827
*MODERATOR*
Posts: 1209
Registered: Sep 2006 |
Posted February 27th, 2009 08:41 PM IP
Hi Brittany: Welcome to our family. I'm so glad that you found us...alot of us were in the same boat as you when we started out...nobody to talk with who was like "us" and fearful about everything mmt related and wondering if we were doing the right thing.
I can tell you that these gals are the best bunch of gals you will find. We have all BEEN THERE BEFORE...and know how you feel. You will get lots of support here thats for sure.
What I suggest you do is start by reading everything on here you can...that means the archives also. You will begin to see that we touch on just about every question you could possibly think of and if there's a question you have that nobody else has asked before, please please please don't be afraid to ask.
Remember there is NO stupid question!!!!!!!!
I had my baby in March 2007, and was on 80mgs. when I found out I was preggers, and by the time of delivery I was at 150. Stevie was in the NICU for a few weeks with NAS but nothing severe...I basically made them keep him probably a bit longer than usual because I wanted to be sure he was totally weaned before I brought him home...I didn't want to be second guessing if every cry, cough, or sneeze was NAS related or just the normal thing a baby does....lol...
Gosh, I hardly ever even think about those days anymore, as they were just a blip in the life of my little guy. I'll tell you that being on mmt and having him did absolutely nothing untoward to him...he is the brightest little guy, and reaching all his developmental milestones as should and he is so astute...I can't believe how astute he is. And..one happy little pumpkin...lol..
so...with that, I want to welcome you and congratulate you on your pregnancy.
Please....take your time and read...and read...and read...and when you are all finished reading.....read some more....lOl....lol...lol..lol..
Love to you and family,
Susie. xoxo
______________________________________
Susanne Moore B.A., B. ScN., R.N.
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Bachelor of Biomedical Ethics
Bachelor of Nursing Science
Registered Nurse
Member of Sigma Theta Tau Honour Society of Nursing
Methadone Pregnancy Info and Support Page
Susie@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Vicky in UK
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 653
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted March 1st, 2009 04:59 PM IP
Hi Brittany!
It's so good you've found this website. I've only been visiting it for a few weeks and it has helped me more than you could ever know! I am also 31wks pregnant, I'm due 1st May, what's your due date? This will be my second child whilst on methadone. My 1st child was born 4years ago, I was using 90mg a day (split into 2 doses) and was very lucky as he suffered no withdrawal symptoms (NAS) at all. This time round I tapered down to 16mg but felt terrible so I have recently raised my dose to 45mg. I have 25mg when I wake up and 20mg before bed. I feel so much better and have now realised that the most important thing is to keep myself and my unborn baby safe, stable and well! Withdrawals are not good for either of us!
Alot of people have advised me that splitting your dose can really help with the babies NAS, so if you don't do this already I'd try and start it asap. It holds you alot longer aswell. What dose are you on? From everything I've read the chances of babies suffering NAS are 60-90%. If this is wrong hopfuly Sharon will correct me. Like Susie said if you have any questions make sure you ask and I'm sure you will get lots of helpfull replys.
Another thing I'd like to say is that your dose has no bearing on wether your baby will suffer NAS. So please don't get caught up on numbers like I once did! I know a lady on 18mg and her baby had severe withdrawals, yet another lady I knew was on 120mg and her little one had no NAS and was home within days! So it just goes to show you really can't predict the outcome and every case and every baby is different!
Anyway hun.....Congratulations on your pregnancy and please keep in touch with us! Sorry if I've gone on a bit!!
Look forward to reading another post from you soon!
love Vicky x
VICKY
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Vicky@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Jessica1381
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 1214
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted March 2nd, 2009 10:23 PM IP
Brittany, WELCOME and CONGRATS on your pregnancy! I just wanna second what Susie and Vikki said and I really couldn't add too much more for now to what she said! I really hope to see you here on the board and look forward to talking with you and please feel free to ask any question you may have! There is a real smart group of ladies here! We all learn together and help each other! You are in good hands here! Welcome to our "family"! So glad you found us! Love, Jess
Jessica Jensen,CSAC, CMA
Primary Pregnancy Support Specialist
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Certified Methadone Advocate
Certified Hepatitis C Basic Educator
Member of NAADAC, AATOD & MOAR
testing for CADAC1 in June 2010
Jessica@MethadoneSupport.org
1-860-798-5785
|
|
|
|
ashley_nichole
Member
Posts: 2
Registered: Mar 2009 |
Posted March 12th, 2009 08:27 PM IP
Hello, my name is Ashley and I am 21 years old. I have been on the methadone program for about 2 1/2 years now, maybe a bit longer. I have had two kids since I've been on it, one is 2 and the one I just recently had on Feb. 24th. She is currently in the NICU and this time with this baby I chose to breastfeed, but now I am having second thoughts because the other day the nurse looking after my daughter had told me that when I decide to stop breastfeeding that I have to wean her off and not just stop completely because she is going to withdrawal from the methadone in the breastmilk. Now I am thinking maybe I should stop breastfeeding now while she is in NICU instead of stay breastfeeding and have to wean her off later, I'm not sure if I will do it right, and I'm not sure how bad it will be for her, hopefully someone can give me some advice and I get more information on the subject, right now I amstill pumping and keeping up my supply just in case I know for sure I want to keep breastfeeding.
|
|
|
|
Vicky in UK
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 653
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted March 13th, 2009 01:23 PM IP
Hi Ashley!
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter and well done for breastfeeding her! The person you really need to talk to is Sharon as she has loads of experience in this area, I'm sure she will reply to your post soon.
Have you looked at the 'News, Studies' section on this site as there are a few Breast feeding/MMT studies on their which may help you.
As far as I know only a VERY small amount of Methadone will pass through into the breast milk. And althouigh it's not recommended to SUDDENLY stop breastfeeding, I'm sure if you gradually introduce formula feeds your little girl will be ok. Is that the only reason you want to stop breastfeeding? Cos you are worried abut weaning her? Surely your hospital/caregivers should advise you on this subject?
I wish I could help you more honey, but I know Sharon really is the best person to help you out with this. And she'll be able to give much better advice than I could. I hope the hospital are treating you well?
All I can say is do whatever feels right for you. Don't let anyone push you into a choice that you're not happy with.
I hope your daughter is out of the NICU soon and that it won't be long before you can take her home with you.
Goodluck hunni and welcome to this forum
Love Vicky x
VICKY
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Vicky@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Jessica1381
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 1214
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted March 17th, 2009 10:52 PM IP
Ashley,
Hi and welcome! So, you are worried about breast feeding... well I will tell you that it is prefectly safe to breast feed while on methadone and that it is really a miniscule ammount that passess from the breast milk to the baby. Now, when you decide to stop breast feeding it really wont be some awful weening process like it seems you may be thinking! First off lets hypothetically say that the baby is getting .01 worth of methadone (this is NOT the actually number I am just making up the number for examples sake!) now that is a small amount... now lets say your baby weighs 7 lbs... as he grows he is going to gain weight but the ammount he gets out of your breast milk will stay the same (or less if you go down like some women have too after the baby is born) So the ammount he gets is really tiny and the more he grows the less it does.... So, when you decide to stop you can talk to your doctor about how they would recomend it, but I have heard some women just start to mix into the feeding schedual a bottle a day for a few days then 2 bottles a day (or a few days) so on and so forth! I really would not worry. If you are worried she is going to go through nas symptoms again that will not happen. Hope it all works out for you! -Jessica
Jessica Jensen,CSAC, CMA
Primary Pregnancy Support Specialist
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Certified Methadone Advocate
Certified Hepatitis C Basic Educator
Member of NAADAC, AATOD & MOAR
testing for CADAC1 in June 2010
Jessica@MethadoneSupport.org
1-860-798-5785
|
|
|
|
bugsmom
Member
Posts: 6
Registered: Mar 2009 |
Posted March 21st, 2009 10:45 AM IP
Hi my name is Nikki. I have been an addict off and on using for 8 years. I got on methadone 3 onthys ago because I am pregnant. I was on Suboxone before that. I was so upset to have to go on Methadone because I always though it was like failing in recovery. When in actuality I feel the best I have ever felt and it was the best decision I ever made, even though I think God made this one for me because I was pregnant and pretty much did not have a choice. I am due today and the baby shows no signs of going anywhere right now, which is fine because we have a 17 month old already which keeps us very busy. I am glad to have found this site I posted another question about what I can tell my in laws as to why my baby has to stay in the hospital and got some helpful and timely replies. It is comforting to have support out there for those of us that know we are doing waht is right for us, because there are a lot of people that just do not understand
|
|
|
|
Vicky in UK
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 653
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted March 22nd, 2009 06:18 PM IP
Oh my god Nikki!!!
I didn't realise you were so close to your due date! In fact you're overdue now! I'm so excited for you hun! Please,please let us know when your little one decides to make an arrival. I always thought methadone was just as bad as illicit/illegal drugs, but my opinion now is totally different. MMT gave me the chance to get my life back on track and be a great Mother to my gorgeous son! Without it I honestly don't think I'd be here today (A dramatic statement, but thats honestly what I believe!) I'm so pleased you too are doing well on methadone!
Hope to hear good news from you in the near future!
Goodluck!
Love Vicky x
VICKY
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Vicky@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Brittany
Member
Posts: 8
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted March 26th, 2009 06:30 PM IP
Hi everyone!! This is Brittany I am sorry that I havent been on in so long but my computer has been acting funny and I got on here after I posted my last thing and I didnt know that you had to go to page 6 for the most recent postings so I just looked on page 1 and didnt see any responces so I thought that noone had wrote back oophs!! But now I know where to look lol...Anyways thanks for all of your replys it makes me feel a lot better to have someone out there to talk to. I do have a question though for Vicki when you say that the girl that was on 18 mgs and her baby had severe withdrawals exactly what does severe mean and what did the baby go through? I am so scared that I might have to leave my baby there and I really dont want to do that. Right now I am on 60mgs and I do split dose. It seems to work ok. I also want to ask dose the methadone seem to curb your appeitite because I have to make myself eat and I am worried about the baby. I was huge with my first one and gained ok weight with my second one and both pregnancies my stomach was big but in this pregnancy my stomach is kinda big but I dont look like I am 8 1/2 months...They say that the baby is normal and she was weighting 5lbs last week so I guess everything is ok I am just not used to being so small when being pregnant..Did anyone else have this problem? Well thanks again for writting me back and I hope to hear from yall soon..
Brittany
Brittany
|
|
|
|
Jessica1381
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 1214
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted March 26th, 2009 07:56 PM IP
Brittany, the thing of it is... every baby reacts differently. My best friend had her son 190 mgs and he went right home NAS free. I had my 1st born daughter on 40 mgs and she stayed 6 weeks and my 2nd born daughter on 16 (but I did split doses of 8 & 8) and she was in the nursery for a total of 8 days... Then another girl here had her baby at 20 and her baby went right home NAS free... I mean the thing is you just never know. Another girl on here had her baby at 60 and she went right home too. So it's all over the place. Babies are all different. So, just because one baby had more severe w/d and the mom was on 18 mgs, doesnt mean anything. My 2nd I was on 16 and her w/d were pretty minor. I stressed over dose ammount and it wasnt worth it. I wish I hadn't now. And the not knowing is the hardest part. Just educate yourself as much as you can and try to prepare yourself for it as best you can... and of course hope for the best. No matter what it wont last forever and nas treatment is pretty common. Ask questions and pick a good hospitol. I was not very big with my 2nd baby either if it makes you feel any better. You may still pop out a little more. You got a little time left! Good luck hun! Hang in there! -Jessica
Jessica Jensen,CSAC, CMA
Primary Pregnancy Support Specialist
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Certified Methadone Advocate
Certified Hepatitis C Basic Educator
Member of NAADAC, AATOD & MOAR
testing for CADAC1 in June 2010
Jessica@MethadoneSupport.org
1-860-798-5785
|
|
|
|
Brittany
Member
Posts: 8
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted March 29th, 2009 07:39 PM IP
Hi Jessica thanks for your reply. I worry about it all the time and I hope she dont have to stay in there for longer than me this is just my first time being on anything with my children and I am really worried. But like you said all babies are different and all I can do is pray and if I can ask all of yolu guys to pray for me and my daughter ....her name is Brooklyn by the way and she will be here in 3 wks. I need all the advice I can get and all the information I can get I read about this stuff every chance I get but you can never be to informed...Thanks for all of yalls support**Brittany
Brittany
|
|
|
|
Jessica1381
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 1214
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted March 29th, 2009 08:14 PM IP
Brittany,
hang in there. It's hard to not know what is going to happen... I am one that tends to really fear the unknown a lot, but what I have found is the more I can educate myself the better I handle things. Why dont you make a list of questions, and remember no question is stupid, so ask whatever you have on your mind and I bet we can all help to ease some of your fears. I am sure we can help answer any or most questions you have! I will, of course keep your daughter, Brooklyn, in my thoughts as I do for all the women and their babies here... and as they did when I had mine. You will get a ton of support here. Hang in there. Make a list of any questions you may have. I hope we can help you answer them... It's gonna be okay and lets say she does have to stay, just remember it is NOT perminent and methadone will not cause any issues down the road, all you may have to deal with is nas and once you get through it, it really will feel like a small bump on the road of life. Hope to hear from you again soon!  Jessica
Jessica Jensen,CSAC, CMA
Primary Pregnancy Support Specialist
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Certified Methadone Advocate
Certified Hepatitis C Basic Educator
Member of NAADAC, AATOD & MOAR
testing for CADAC1 in June 2010
Jessica@MethadoneSupport.org
1-860-798-5785
|
|
|
|
Brittany
Member
Posts: 8
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted March 31st, 2009 04:30 PM IP
Hi Jessica thanks again for your support and I appreaciate everything you are saying and I really like this website and I do have one other question. Are somas bad to take while you are pregnant? They really help my back and I have tried to look up stuff on the net but it really dont say anything about them so I am not sure if they are bad or if the answers are just unknown...I know that there are no long term effects but my husband hates the fact that I am on the methadone and I tell him that it is way better than what I was doing which was painkillers. So I tell him that everything will be ok with Brooklyn so if she does end up staying in there then he will be pissed off and then more problems will arise. I am just praying that everything will be ok. So if you know anything about the soma question then let me know and if you know any good sites to go to to read about methadone and pregnancy then let me know about them also cause the more I know the better.. This site really helps and had a lot of info but everything counts.
Write back thanks
Brittany
Brittany
|
|
|
|
Vicky in UK
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 653
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted March 31st, 2009 07:07 PM IP
Hey Brittany!
Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I only just noticed that you had replied!
Well I shouldn't really of said that the baby born to the Mum on 18mg had severe withdrawals. What I should of said was he was poorly enough to need treatment (he was given morphine and was in hospital for 2 and a half weeks) What I was basically trying to say was Dose really doesn't matter and every baby is different. Don't forget I was on 90mg when I had my first son and he didn't need any treatment for NAS and was home within 5 days! He has always been such a healthy and happy little thing, so I know 100% that me being on Methadone never harmed him.
You asked what the baby with NAS went through..... So the problems that he suffered with where- tremors, sneezing, very runny bowel movements, stiff legs and he cried alot. But my friend said as soon as the hospital started treating him with the morphine he was totally fine! She said even when they tapered him off the Meds he still never went back to being ill. I know there are lots of different withdrawal symptoms that babies can go through, but don't forget the Doctors will not let the babies suffer, so please don't worry too much.
My theory is that if you can stay as stable as possible while you are pregnant and if you keep on a high enough dose to prevent withdrawals then I feel your baby is much less likely to withdraw when born. This is only my opinion, but I also read somewhere on this site that Sharon has a similar view! Stability is sooo important! That's why I am having my dose raised again tomorrow to 65mg.
Sorry I can't help you with the Somas question.....I've never even heard of them!
As for your tummy being small with this pregnancy, I really wouldn't worry too much! Although at the moment I have the opposite problem! When I was pregnant with my son 4 years ago, my bump was tiny, but he was still born a good weight (7lb 6oz)! This pregnancy my tummy is HUGE! I am soooo big! I don't get all that hungry either which does seem strange. At least your little one is a reasonable weight and so long as you ARE eating (healthyish) then i really wouldn't worry!
I do know that theres no point me telling you not to worry, cos I know you are gonna worry anyway! (I'm a worrier too!)
It was great to hear from you again hunni! I will pray so much for you and your little one. Not long for you now, hey?
Love Vicky x
VICKY
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Vicky@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Brittany
Member
Posts: 8
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted April 2nd, 2009 06:37 PM IP
Hi Vicki its really good to hear from you. Soma is a form of a muscle relaxer just to let you know what it was. But yeah I feel as if I need to go up again also but the methadone doctor that i see at my clinic is sooo reluctant to move me up for the babies sake that I know he wont. Which pisses me off. Its like he is scared to move me up. But what about me I feel like I am coming down everyday around 5:00 and I get really ill and pissy at my husband and my other children, its not fair to them for me to be in such a bad mood. I even have cravings of using and I really dont want to do that at all. I have only been clean for about 4 months off of pain killers. I was on 50mg for the longest and it took him forever of me begging and argueing with him to move me up. I dont think its fair for me to have to struggle with him to move me up. I am on 60mgs right now and I know for a fact that he will not move me up untill after I have Brooklyn...It does seem like the higher mgs you are on the less withdrawal symptoms the baby has. I seem to be gaining more weight here at the end than in the beginning. I am hungry all the time now. I am so excited that its almost here. They have my scheduled c-section for April 20th at 12:00 I cant wait.. Well write me back when you get a chance. I enjoy talking to someone else that is dealing with the same thing I am. I dont really have anyone that understands me and how I feel other than my councler so thanks for taking the time to chat with me and tell me your experiences..ttyl
Love Brittany
Brittany
|
|
|
|
Vicky in UK
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 653
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted April 4th, 2009 06:26 PM IP
How did I miss your post again?! I really need to read this section more often! lol
Brittany, you have no idea how alike we are! Everything you seem to say I can totally relate to! We are now on a similar dose, I went up on Wednesday to 65mg and so far so good! I am feeling so much better, infact this is the best I've felt in months! I'm so sorry to hear your Doc won't let you go up any more! What a stupid man! You can't be left to feel shitty for another 2 or 3 weeks, that just isn't right! Also you need to go into labour/your C-Section feeling comfortable and well, not withdrawing! Could you print off some of the Research from the 'News, Studies etc' section on this site and show him that? There are plenty of studies that say dose has no bearing on NAS! Or is he just too set in his ways to change his opinion? I really hope you can go up, beg him if you have to! lol
Until Wednesday I had been starting to feel ill at about 3 in the afternoon, I would not only feel ill but would get really tearfull and moody! The withdrawals were relentless! Like you said we end up having to stop ourselves from taking it out on our Men and our children! I know I snap alot more at my poor little boy when the W/d's start to kick in and it's sooooo unfair on him. As for my hubby, he admitted to me that if I hadn't raised my dose when I did, he would of considered leaving me! He said I'm such a bitch when I'm withdrawing and he didn't know how much more he could take. This made me feel awful! He said I'm like a different woman now and it's lovely to see me happy & well again, and he begged me to go up again if I feel I need to!
Things were also getting so bad for me that I considered using again too, and I've been clean for 4 or 5 years now! Luckily I stayed strong and didn't use...thankgod! The worst thing for me was that I literally live across the road from my clinic, so if I'd decided to use it would of been so easy to get hold of somthing! Anyway please try and stay strong hunni and don't use (tho I know it must be tempting it would be such a shame as you have done so well! )
I really am waffling again, aren't I!? He He! Wow your Section is on the 20th April? That's so soon! It's my birthday on the 18th April and I'm booked in to have a 'Membrane Sweep' to try and trigger labour on the 22nd April, so hopefully I won't be too far behind you! Please try and get on here to let me know how your birth and everything else goes. I really love chatting with you too! It makes such a difference to have someone you can talk to. I really hope our little one's will both be okay!
Thinking of you hunni!
Love Vicky x
(Edited by Vicky in UK)
VICKY
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Vicky@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Jessica1381
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 1214
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted April 5th, 2009 12:37 PM IP
Hi Brittany,
Sorry it took me so long to respond to your post to me in here! Ugh! Anyway, I am really not sure about Soma's durring pregnancy. I would pm Sharon and sak her though. She may very well be able to tell you. Now, as far as your clinic doctor not raising you... IF YOU ARE WITHDRAWALING AND HE IS NOT RAISING YOU THAT HE IS ALSO LETTING NOT JUST YOU SUFFER BUT YOUR BABY MAY BE FEELING IT TOO! What is wrong with him? Maybe you should pring up things off this site to show him! As far as you saying that it seems that the higher the dose the mom was on the less withdrawals... I dont know about that. I think what it boils down to is how stable the mother stayed durring pregnancy. The ammount does not make the differance. No matter how little or how much! It's like for example my 1st born that I had on 40 had more withdrawals than my my 2nd born that I had on 16. You just never know and every baby reacts differently. Like I said you really just have to stay as stable as you can and stay as healthy as you can... meaning taking real good care of yourself. Just hang in there and I would try to talk to your doctor at the clinic. Find some info to print up and show him from our site! Talk to you soon! I also answered your pm the other day too! Jessica
Jessica Jensen,CSAC, CMA
Primary Pregnancy Support Specialist
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Certified Methadone Advocate
Certified Hepatitis C Basic Educator
Member of NAADAC, AATOD & MOAR
testing for CADAC1 in June 2010
Jessica@MethadoneSupport.org
1-860-798-5785
|
|
|
|
NwBB2009
Member
Posts: 15
Registered: Jul 2008 |
Posted April 29th, 2009 11:18 AM IP
Hi Everyone. Just found out I'm having Irish Twins. For anyone who doesn't know what that is It's when you have 2 kids less than a year apart. I have a beautiful baby girl who's almost 4 months and I found out I'm about 5-6 weeks pregnant. Oops. So here I am back at this website again. I was on 70 mg of Meth for my entire last pregnancy and she had absolutely no withdrawals so I'm hoping I'll be that lucky again. Im even considering having a home birth or having it at a birthing center so the baby won't have to be in the NICU while they watch her for a week. I'm not sure if that'll be possible but I'm gonna try. I delivered my baby girl myself in the car and she had no problems. She was in the NICU for a week just to be monitored and they treated her like a sick baby even though she was perfectly healthy. All hooked up to monitors and they even gave her formula without my permission or knowledge which destroyed my chance to breastfeed. I just don't want to go through that again. Well my due date is around January 2 which is exactly one year after my daughter's birth, I'm just hoping I can handle two little babies.
|
|
|
|
Jessica1381
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 1214
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted April 29th, 2009 02:54 PM IP
Wow NwBB2009! I remember you posting before! Congrats hun! Irish Twins, haha I never heard of that! That is too funny! Well, welcome back and I really hope you keep in touch! As far as a home birth, well, I dont want to rain on yur idea, but just think about it a little more. You have lots of time too anyway. I know that it stinks and I know how you feel to have your baby and see her in the hospital for a week, but the babies born to moms on mmt really need to be watched closely. I can not even stress to you how important that is. One of our moms just had her baby and she went right home from the hospital and guess what? 2 days later she had to bring her back because she was in withdrawals. It is dangerous for a baby to be withdrawaling while not being monitored. I think it is so important to have the baby watched over by medical proffessionals and scored by a doctor or nurse every 4 hours. I am not trying to upset you. I really hope you know that. I just want you to take that into concideration, thats is all. Congrats on your pregnancy and I am glad all worked out so well with your 1st born! Time goes by so fast! So how did your husband take the pregnancy news? Jessica
Jessica Jensen,CSAC, CMA
Primary Pregnancy Support Specialist
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Certified Methadone Advocate
Certified Hepatitis C Basic Educator
Member of NAADAC, AATOD & MOAR
testing for CADAC1 in June 2010
Jessica@MethadoneSupport.org
1-860-798-5785
|
|
|
|
jolie
Member
Posts: 6
Registered: May 2009 |
Posted May 1st, 2009 07:12 PM IP
Hi Everyone- My name is Jolie and I have been on methadone for almost five years now. I have two children, both born while I was on methadone. My son is four and my daughter is almost a month old now. I have been reading this message board for a few months now and felt it was finally time to introduce myself! Like most of the other women on here, I can't say enough about how much this board has helped me. Even though I had my son four years ago while on methadone and was familiar with the whole experience, it's comforting to know other women are going through the same thing as I am. Each pregnancy is so different as well! It kind of felt like I was going through this for the first time, again! My daughter, Roslyn, is still in the NICU being treated for NAS. It's been about three and a half weeks and looks like it will be at least another week or so before she is home. I posted about the hospitals I had my children at in the 'Friendly Hospital/ OBGYN's' section. I am currently on 100 mg and was on 80 mg with my son. It really is true that every baby has a different experience when it comes to NAS and the dose the mother is on. A mother I know from the clinic I go to is on 240 mg and her son had almost no NAS. He was home after the five day observation period. And I am on 100 mg and my daughter has been in the hospital for over three weeks now. I was on 80 mg with my son and he was in the hospital for five weeks. So dose really has very little bearing on how long or if the baby will experience much NAS. But what's most important is that they are comfortable and getting the care they need. When I look back on my time at the hospital with my son it's like nothing! But at the time and going through it again now, it felt and feels like forever! But I know soon she'll be home, happy and healthy and this will be just a distant memory. So anyway, like I said, I just wanted to introduce myself a little. I would really like to be a part of this msg board, I feel like I know so many of you girls already from all the reading I've done over the past few months! I live in upstate New York, about an hour and a half from NYC. I go to a wonderful clinic in Kingston, NY. I will post the name in the 'Good Clinics" section. I am 32 yrs old and am married to a wonderful man. We have our own business and I am a stay at home mom as well. Almost five years ago we were living in a tent at a campground, with only a beat up car to our name. Methadone has been a huge tool in my recovery. I tried everything for years before I finally got on methadone. And I only got on methadone because I was pregnant and still using. Like a lot of people, I thought methadone was just another drug to be addicted too. Boy was I wrong! Methadone changes lives and saves lives. When I look back now, getting pregnant and getting on methadone were the best things that ever happened to me and my husband, who is on methadone as well. My son is the light of our lives. He has changed me for the better in so many ways. Ok, I'm going on and on here! I'll stop! lol! Sorry this is so long. Thanks for taking the time to read this. And 'thank you' to all you women who've posted your stories, experiences and questions. You've helped more than you know.
Love,
Jolie
|
|
|
|
Divinity-
Member
Posts: 533
Registered: Oct 2008 |
Posted May 1st, 2009 08:24 PM IP
Hey Jolie,
Its nice to hear from you, I just just wanted to give ya a warm welcome ]
Im sorry to here that your little girl is in the hospital but soon it will be a distant memory such as your sons stay I'm 8 month pregnant with my first Im haven a BOy And so excited to meet him but terrified of NAS. Well it sounds like you deff have some expierience in dealing with NAS and I look forward to getting to know you better
 
|
|
|
|
susie3827
*MODERATOR*
Posts: 1209
Registered: Sep 2006 |
Posted May 1st, 2009 10:08 PM IP
Welcome to our family Jolie:
Sounds to me like you know alot about mmt and pregnancy having been through it twice now. I am glad that you are educated and know that dosage has no bearing of the amount or severity of NAS.
I welcome you to our family, you have alot of experience behind you that will no doubt help some of our moms who are new here and are maybe having a difficult time coming to terms with the possibility that their new little bundle of joy may have some NAS to overcome at birth.
Thanks to your post, they can see there is another mom here who has experienced this and come through it confidently and successfully.
Hope your little girl gets out soon, but as you already know, she is being taken good care of.
Thanks again for posting your experience, I value your words of wisdom.
Again, congrats and welcome
Susie.
______________________________________
Susanne Moore B.A., B. ScN., R.N.
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Bachelor of Biomedical Ethics
Bachelor of Nursing Science
Registered Nurse
Member of Sigma Theta Tau Honour Society of Nursing
Methadone Pregnancy Info and Support Page
Susie@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Jessica1381
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 1214
Registered: Mar 2008 |
Posted May 2nd, 2009 12:43 PM IP
Jolie,
Welcome to our family! I am so happy that you decided to post! I know how you feel about going through this twice but feeling sorta like it is your first time all over again with your second! I too had both my girls on mmt! It is not easy and each time it was hard to go through, but as you well know and have seen for yourself, every baby is different and responds different to treatment! My daughters reacted two totally different ways! One stayed in the nicu for 8 days (my 2nd born) and my 1st stayed for 6 weeks! I am happy to see how educated you are on this and I am happy that this website has helped you so much! I hope you stick around! its always great to have a mom on here that has been through this and can help all the newly pregnant moms who have not had a baby on mmt to understand what they are going through! So, welcome and I look forward to talking with you soon! Jessica
Jessica Jensen,CSAC, CMA
Primary Pregnancy Support Specialist
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
Certified Methadone Advocate
Certified Hepatitis C Basic Educator
Member of NAADAC, AATOD & MOAR
testing for CADAC1 in June 2010
Jessica@MethadoneSupport.org
1-860-798-5785
|
|
|
|
Vicky in UK
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 653
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted May 2nd, 2009 01:31 PM IP
Welcome back NwBB2009!!
Wow you sure are gonna have your hands full!! Bless you! I had a 4year gap between my 2 children, and I'm still struggling!! lol I forgot how demanding newborns are! I'm quite similar to you, neither of my babies needed treatment for NAS. And according to the hospital they had no symptoms at all. It's horrible that they put your little one in the NICU and gave her formula without your permission....That's so unfair! Where I gave birth the babies are left with you to be monitored and you are just on a normal ward. The babies only go in the SCBU/NICU if they need medicating. It's good cos you get to bond with your child and can stay there with them the whole time.
As for dose, with my 1st I was on 90mg and with my 2nd I was on 65mg.
You said you hope you can handle 2 little babies.....Well hun I'm sure you can!! It sounds like you've coped great so far and your a loving Mum. Things will be hard for you, but I'm sure you'll do great!! Don't forget you can always come on here for support and to 'vent'. I look forward to hearing more from you as your pregnancy progresses!
Congratulations Sweetie!
Love Vicky x
VICKY
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Vicky@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
Vicky in UK
*SUPER MODERATOR*
Posts: 653
Registered: Feb 2009 |
Posted May 2nd, 2009 02:01 PM IP
Hi Jolie!!
I'm so glad you decided to post! I really can't believe how similar my situation is to yours!! Well I'm 30yrs old and I too have been on Methadone for almost 5years. I was using drugs and only got on Methadone cos I was pregnant with my son (who like your son, is also 4years old). I left a 4year gap before having my next child, my 2nd little boy was born almost 2weeks ago!! With both children I was on MMT. With my 1st, I was on 90mg. I was tapering when I fell pregnant with my 2nd child, I got down to 16mg, but felt awful during pregnancy, so by the time I gave birth I was on 65mg. I was so lucky and neither of my children needed treatment for NAS. MY 1st stayed in hospital for 5 days and the 2nd for 4days and this was only for observation.
I can totally relate to feeling like this pregnancy was 'your 1st time'! I think I worried more with this pregnancy/birth than I did the 1st time round! I'd forgotten everything and felt like it was all so new! I suppose 4years is quite a long time! lol I should of been more confident but if anything I was less! With my 1st son I felt like I was the only person in the world going through Methadone and pregnancy, so finding this website 2nd time round was such a godsend!
Wow, you have come so far in 5 short years! It sounds like you have a great husband as well as 2 lovely children and your own business! Welldone honey! You've achieved so much and should be proud of yourself!
I hope your little girl is home soon! I can't imagine what you are going through. Those 1st few days in the hospital (for me) were the Longest of my life, I never thought I'd get home with son. No-one can understand how hard it is. Just remember you've been through the worst of it and she'll be home shortly.
Keep us posted on hers and your recovery!
Thinking of you hunni,
Love Vicky x
VICKY
Pregnancy Support Specialist
Vicky@MethadoneSupport.org
|
|
|
|
jolie
Member
Posts: 6
Registered: May 2009 |
Posted May 9th, 2009 08:21 PM IP
Hi Vicky- Thanks so much for your post! Wow, we really do have a lot in common! Actually, I have read many of your posts before and thought at the time we had a lot in common, so it's funny you responded. It's comforting to know there are other women who are in such similiar situations isn't it? Congratulations on the birth of your new baby boy! How wonderful your son didn't have much NAS! And your first born too! You are very fortunate. Me on the other hand, I feel like I live at the hospital! But, as with my first child, I know soon this whole experience will be just a distant memory. It's such an emotional experience, it feels like forever when your going through it! I'm also going through a similiar situation with my son, as I read in one of your posts. It seems a lot of us are going through this with our toddlers. My son hasn't been himself in over a month now. After I had the baby and he came home from Grandma's, I felt like someone had switched children with my son! And the baby isn't even home yet. He has only seen his sister through a glass window as he is too young to go into the NICU, so technically he hasn't even met her yet. It's going to be a big adjustment for him. He has been our little king for the last 4 years! I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing. I just don't want him to feel left out, or like he's second now or anything, ya know? I guess like all the other mothers out there who have more than one, I'm just going to have to learn how to juggle two children. How is that going for you since the baby came home? Is your son adjusting well to his little brother?
Well, again Vicky, thanks for posting. I'd love to keep in contact as we have so much in common. I think it's so interesting you live in England. I've always wanted to visit there! Maybe someday! Hope all is well, Talk to you soon, Jolie
|
|
|
|
suzikatz38
Member
Posts: 9
Registered: May 2009 |
Posted May 15th, 2009 10:46 PM IP
How do I post? Please someone help me!!
|
|
|
|
suzikatz38
Member
Posts: 9
Registered: May 2009 |
Posted May 15th, 2009 10:48 PM IP
Hi, I am new. I live in kalamazoo, MI and I am scared of the hospital getting cps involved. I am on a methadone clinic, and my midwife knows this. Has n e one had a baby hear my location while on mmt? I do not use anything else, I just take my dose (split dose 130mg). Will I be punised by the hospital? I am scared!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Methadone Pregnancy Information :: :: Methadone Pregnancy Info & Discussion :: WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
|
