Expert: Crystal - 10/8/2007

Question
QUESTION: My sister in law is 7 months pregnant. Everyday she takes between 5 and 15 Loratab 10. I tried to tell her that she is hurting the baby. She says tabs wont hurt the baby. What is the truth?

ANSWER: Roxane,

The truth is that the baby is at a huge risk and has a great probability of being born addicted to narcotics. She runs the risk of losing the baby to child services if this happens. Does she get them from a doctor and why is she taking them? How long has she been doing this?

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QUESTION: She has been taking Loratabs for a few years like this. She mostly buys them off the street but, she also goes to her obgyn and complains of a lot of pain and he has given her several scripts while she is pregnant. I do not think her doctor knows she has a problem with hydrocodine though. I worry about the baby because she is not going to quit. What do you think I should do?

Thanks!
Roxane

ANSWER: I would give her an alternative, quit or I am telling your doctor. What she doesn't realize is that Narcotics are a suppressant which affects every part of her body function as well as the babies because it affects the blood flow and oxygen level to the baby as well as the amount of nutrients it receives because the body doesn't digest as quickly or efficiently as it should when being suppressed. When the baby is born they will see the difference and I would make sure that you are there when she delivers so that they are aware that the baby has been under this stress because it can save the baby from going through as much withdrawal as it will. The doctors and nurses will know when they draw the babies blood and they will not allow her to leave with the baby. Social services will be called and they will order her into treatment or she will lose the baby for good.Have you talked to your brother about this? Is there a way to do a family intervention with her so that you can make her aware of the consequences ahead of her if she doesn't seek help?
I am sorry that you are going through this, it is hard when you carry the weight of a loved ones addiction, especially when they won't acknowledge it or carry it themselves. I hope it works out for you.

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QUESTION: I appreciate all your help and knowledge. I tried to talk to her again today. She said that tabs are only in your blood for 3 days and that they are going to give her pain meds when she goes in labor anyways. She plans on not taking any a few days prior giving birth. She has a friend that is also hooked on Loratabs and gavbe birth a few weeks ago. The doctors didn't catch her and my sister in laws plans on getting away with it the same way. I guess I have no option but to call her obgyn and tell. I did not want to cause any trouble but, I believe there to bo no more options left. When she came to my house yesterday she had taken some that morning and was already going through withdrawals by 5:00 p.m.. She left here to go meet her tab dealer and buy 15 more. So I guess my only option is to tell on her. I will be in cotact later to let you know what happense if you dont mind. Thanks again

Answer
What she doesn't realize is that the baby will go through withdrawals and that it doesn't leave the system that way. If she is taking them consistently then they will not leave her system and the baby will show symptoms and could die if not treated properly. She will have withdrawals if she tries to quit and it will cause her blood pressure to spike and/or drop and can cause distress for the baby. The pain meds they give during delivery are different. You need to tell someone for the sake of the baby.
Let me know how it goes. Good luck.