Expert: Peter L. - 11/12/2010

Question
My daughter-in-law is 36 weeks pregnant and I just found out that she is addicted to Percocet 10's.  I was told that when she does not take them she has withdrawal symptoms and severe pain.  She is taking them without a prescription, and initially began taking them for the energy that they gave her (weird because they put everyone else I know to sleep).  Anyway, my son told me that her doctor knows about her habit, but I'm not sure that I believe him and am afraid for my grandchild.  I plan on being there when the baby is born, but I live hours away and am not sure what/if anything to do.  Do you have any suggestions?  

Answer
Hi Michelle,

In my field we regard pregnancy and addiction as a very serious combination.  There are instances of babies being in withdrawal when born due to the mother's addiction.  The baby could be impacted in other ways.  Opioid withdrawal itself can cause miscarriage.

This website has some useful information:

http://www.heroin-detox.org/opiates_pregnancy.htm

I would urge you, or her husband, to take a strong position on encouraging her to get treatment.  

Methadone or Subutex are opioid replacement therapies often recommended for pregnant addicted women.  Methadone is administered by clinics, and you can probably find one in your phone book.  Subutex is buprenophrine, and in the case of pregnancy is strongly recommended rather than the more common and related drug, Suboxone.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Regards,
Peter