AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
Expert: Barbara Judge Date: 4/20/2008 Subject: 5 wks pregnant
Question I very recently found out we were pregnant. we are very concerned that I have been receiving treatment for pain hydrocodone. I have had two back surgery's and recently we were discusing how pain was increasing due to another infusion needs to be done. I have not yet seen my doctor and I am concerned if I can carry this pregnancy without being paralyzed or medication I gave been taking harming the baby. We are excited but very scared as to what our options might be. We have older children and this is a wonderful surprise.Are we in for a disappointment.
Answer You need to see your OB as soon as possible. Hydrocodone is "Catagory C" rated by the FDA. This means it has not been studied in controlled clinical trials. This is true of MOST drugs, however. No one is going to sign up to put their unborn child at risk for a clinical trial. It does mean there is only limited data out there about the use of hydrocodone during pregnancy and its effects on the unborn fetus. This information is then filtered through how honest the mother of the child was about any other things that may or may not have been going on in her life at the same time that she was taking the hydrocodone. It comes down to every situation is different. Every mother is different. Every child will be different. You need to talk to your OB and evaluate YOUR situation. Most of the information available sounds positive, but there are a couple of studies I found that were not. (One in particular studied mothers in Michigan who were on public assistance during their entire pregnancies and also took hydrocodone during their entire pregnancies. It found their children had a higher rate of birth defects than other mothers in Michigan.)
One other consistant fact that was available was that taking hydrocodone constantly and near delivery often resulted in a neonate who went through withdrawl. It will be very, very important for you to see your OB as soon as possible and work with your OB and your other doctors to work out a pain management plan that works for both you and the health of your unborn child.
