birth defect possibility!?

Question

so my boyfriends sister found out she is pregnant
she is on methadone because she was on pain pills and got addicted to heroin. 
what are the chances of the baby having birth defects? 
we would adopt either way if she couldn't handle it
Thank you!

Answer

Methadone is not directly related to birth defects. Although it can cause physical dependence on the baby. If she continues to use it then the baby may suffer from neonate abstinence withdrawal. I would talk to a doctor about it.

Answer

The baby won't experience any birth defects but he/she will be born addicted to methadone and will spend time in the NICU to be weaned off of the medication. This is because no doctor will wean a pregnant woman off of methadone. She will continue to take the same dose the entire pregnancy and plan on baby requiring NICU time to withdraw safely. Once baby is born, mom can continue the weaning process for herself. There is greater risk of spontaneous miscarriage if mom goes into withdrawal while pregnant so baby's best bet is to continue the medication regimen. I was a postpartum nurse and cared for several moms that were in a methadone program. This is the standard of care for pregnant women that take methadone. There is risk involved with weaning the baby off of methadone but much of it is managed by the NICU team. The length of baby's stay in the NICU depends on moms dose of methadone and how he/she manages withdrawal.

I will warn you that the withdrawal process is incredibly difficult to observe. The baby shakes and  cries nearly constantly. It is not for the faint of heart. Good luck! 😀

Answer

The only side effect of being on methadone while pregnant is the baby possibly experiencing withdrawl symptoms after he/she is born (which they easily treat in the hospital). There are no long term side effects. I know several women with children ages 4 months to 15 years who were on methadone while pregnant and they are all doing great. If she were to stop or taper down on her dose she could have a miscarriage. Most places that prescribe methadone won't allow a pregnant woman to stop or decrease because of that.

Answer

The baby will lbaely be addicted at birth but no birth defects. But she SHOULDN'T try to get off of it. It could kill the baby if she does.

Answer

Not as much of a worry about birth defects but if she doesn't ween herself off the meds baby could be born addicted and have issues bc of that

birth defect possibility!?

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