Pregnant women who are dependent upon Methadone or any other opiate may feel like they need to stop using these drugs at once. Fears about the danger to their unborn babies may prompt this, but officials strongly warn that trying to detox can do more harm.
Trying a “cold turkey” Methadone detox is not the answer. This can jeopardize the lives of both mother and fetus. This is because of complications that arise in the form of Methadone withdrawal.
Methadone is a powerful analgesic that is often used to treat opiate addiction. People enroll in Methadone maintenance programs to come off drugs such as heroin and OxyContin. Methadone is thought to be less prone to abuse and addiction. However, people can become dependent upon methadone and this creates a dangerous scenario, especially for a pregnant woman.
Waismann Method Cannot Treat Pregnant Women Addicted To Methadone
Currently, the only approved method for treating opiate addiction in pregnant women is a controlled dosage of methadone. So a woman who is already dependent upon methadone needs to speak with a doctor about options. He or she will need to know whether a patient has been abusing methadone in any way or using other opiates at the same time. Only he or she will be able to advise patients on how to proceed safely.
Waismann Method specializes in rapid opiate detoxification, which can safely and quickly eliminate the physical opiate dependency quickly. But sadly, we cannot treat pregnant women. We get calls frequently from women who are desperate to come off opiates during pregnancy, but this type of treatment is not meant for them. As a company, we cannot endorse or suggest an appropriate Methadone treatment program during pregnancy. It’s best to speak with a doctor immediately.
Exposure To Methadone In The Womb Can Lead To Serious Problems
The number of babies born addicted to opiates has skyrocketed in recent times. Babies exposed to opiates in utero will likely experience Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This is because drugs including Methadone cross the placenta, possibly leading to dependence. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome can be very hard on a baby.
Problems associated with Methadone use during pregnancy can vary. They can depend on the dosage and whether other substances had been used/abused during pregnancy. Some of the risks include:
- Birth defects
- Low birth weight
- Stillborn birth
- Early delivery
- Seizures
- SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
If you or someone you know is pregnant and using opiates, it’s important to speak with a doctor right away about options. This is a delicate time for mother and unborn child, so every precaution should be taken to ensure a safe, healthy delivery.
