Can You Take Methadone While Pregnant?

Can You Take Methadone While Pregnant?

Pregnancy is a critical time for any woman, as she is responsible for her own health as well as that of her baby. Therefore, it is always important to use caution when taking any medications while pregnant. This is especially true for methadone, a powerful opioid drug that is commonly used in the treatment of opioid addiction.

For those who aren’t familiar with how methadone works, it binds to the same brain receptors as other opioids, such as heroin or oxycodone — but without producing the same euphoric effects. It’s prescribed as a long-term maintenance medication to help people safely withdraw from opioids. It’s typically taken orally, either as a liquid or a pill. In some cases, it may be injected.

If you or someone you love is experiencing opioid addiction while pregnant or in the process of trying to conceive, you’re in the right place. Withdrawing from opioids is not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous. It can even be life-threatening.

In this article, we’ll explore the potential risks and benefits associated with taking methadone during pregnancy and find out if the drug is safe for use for women who are expecting.

Can Methadone Use Impact Fertility?

If you are currently trying to conceive, you should be aware of how methadone use can impact fertility. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women taking methadone may experience irregular menstrual cycles. If a woman isn’t ovulating on a regular schedule, it can impact fertility by make getting pregnant more difficult.

If you are already pregnant, methadone may pose several concerns to fertility. While it is generally approved for safe for use during pregnancy,studies show that methadone treatment can also lead to pregnancy loss. While the odds of conceiving while taking methadone are already less, the chance of miscarriage is also higher.

Another issue that may affect fertility is the fact that methadone affects the endocrine system, which can have an impact on both female and male reproductive systems. The drug greatly interferes with a woman’s hormones, resulting in both menstrual irregularities as mentioned above, as well as potential harm to the ovaries.

Methadone treatment doesn’t only affect women’s fertility either. If the male counterpart in the relationship is receiving methadone treatment, he may also experience fertility problems. Methadone can cause a significant drop in testosterone production, which can impact a couple’s chance of conceiving if they wish to become pregnant while receiving medication assisted treatment.

In addition, methadone can also decrease sex drive, which may lead to a decrease in sexual activity and a decrease in the chances of conceiving. Women who are taking methadone should speak with their doctor about their individual risks and the potential impact on their fertility.

If you’re seeking an alternative to methadone, another option you may wish to explore is buprenorphine. Similar to methadone, it also treats opioid use disorder as a medication assisted treatment, but it has several additional benefits. Sincestudies have shown that it has lower risk for miscarriage and preterm birth, it’s recommended as a first-line substitute to methadone for treating opioid dependency in pregnant women.

When making the decision to take either methadone or buprenorphine, it’s important to note that substance use disorder (SUD) in itself can put you at risk of fertility problems as well. SUD can make individuals prone to mental health concerns like depression and anxiety, which can have a negative effect on the ability to have a baby.

If a woman is already pregnant and has been using opioids, the newborn will have already been exposed to the effects of the drugs. Women who wish to have a baby while taking methadone may wish to hold off on conceiving and take birth control until they complete the duration of the medication assisted treatment.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to take methadone or buprenorphine. Be sure to weigh your options with your doctor or therapist to find the best treatment plan for you.

What Happens If You Get Pregnant While on Methadone?

Have you recently found out or suspect you’re pregnant while taking methadone? If so, it’s important to speak with your doctor right away. The doctor will be able to assess the situation and determine the best course of action for you and your baby.

In some cases, the doctor may recommend discontinuing the methadone and switching to another form of treatment, like buprenorphine. However, this is not always the best option, as it can lead to a potentially dangerous and uncomfortable withdrawal period for the mother and baby if you stop “cold turkey.”

If you are pregnant and taking methadone, it is important to know the potential risks and effects of the drug on an unborn baby. The first possible concern is that methadone is used to treat opioid addiction and can cross the placenta, meaning it may be passed to the baby during pregnancy. The baby may then experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition that occurs when the baby experiences drug withdrawal symptoms after birth.

In short, what this means is the baby can become dependent on the drug and be born addicted to methadone. Of course this is a concern for any mother, however, the alternative may be continuing to use opioids, which can be far worse.

So, what does NAS look like? Common symptoms include excessive crying, tremors, fever, poor feeding, and difficulty sleeping. Once it stops receiving the drug through the umbilical cord, the baby will start to go through an uncomfortable withdrawal period. It’s also dangerous without treatment. This is a scary idea for any mother, however, sometimes the alternative of not seeking treatment is much worse for the health of the unborn baby. Keep in mind that many doctors are able to safely help the baby through this withdrawal period, but it’s not without risk.

It’s important to speak with your provider to ensure you are taking the appropriate dose of methadone and to understand the potential risks associated with pregnancy and the drug. Your doctor will monitor both you and your baby during pregnancy and after delivery to ensure your baby is healthy. Taking the necessary precautions can help reduce the risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome and ensure your baby is born healthy and thriving.

Can You Take Methadone While Pregnant?

Medication-assisted treatment, such as methadone, is approved for use during pregnancy. However, it’s important to keep in mind that taking the drug while pregnant doesn’t come without risks. Once the baby is born, it may go through a dangerous and uncomfortable withdrawal period, called neonatal abstinence syndrome.

If you are already pregnant and considering taking methadone, it’s important to think carefully about the potential risks and benefits. Methadone is often used to treat opioid addiction during pregnancy, and it can be effective in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms from drugs such as heroin and oxycodone. However, there are potential risks associated with taking methadone during pregnancy, such as birth defects and fetal growth restriction.

For many women, the benefits of taking methadone while pregnant is well worth it to live a life free of opioids. Experiencing heroin addiction or using other opioids can have devastating consequences for the baby, such as miscarriage, preterm birth, or even stillbirth.

On the other hand, women who are already taking methadone should not discontinue use without first consulting a doctor, as this can lead to potentially dangerous and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms for her and the baby.

For women who are not currently taking methadone, the decision should be based on their individual needs. Each woman’s situation is unique, so it’s important to consider all factors before taking any medication. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the risks and benefits and decide if taking methadone is the right decision for you and your baby.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that taking methadone is only one part of the treatment process. Working with your healthcare provider to find the right support system and treatment plan is key to successful addiction recovery.

What Happens to a Baby Born on Methadone?

As mentioned above, babies born to mothers who are taking methadone are at risk for a condition known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). This condition is caused by the baby’s exposure to opioids in the womb, and it can cause the baby to experience withdrawal symptoms after birth.

There are numerous short-term effects on the newborn baby when they experience NAS, which usually appear within the first 72 hours after birth. Unfortunately, when the baby begins to withdraw from methadone, they can experience excessive crying, trembling, sweating, stuffy nose, blotchy skin, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, they may also have fever, vomiting, and seizures.

NAS typically requires medical treatment and the baby may have to stay in the hospital for a few days after birth in order to receive the necessary care. However, the majority of babies with NAS recover quickly and go on to have healthy and normal lives.

It’s also important to be aware that there are also a variety of possible long-term side effects on the baby as well. The newborn may have a disinterest in feeding, whether formula or breastmilk, which can result in them gaining weight at a slower rate than usual. They may be born with frequent ear infections, problems sleeping, recurring seizures, and vision problems.

While it’s not entirely clear of the long-term effects of taking methadone while pregnant, unfortunately it doesn’t come without the risk of cognitive or development delays for the baby either. These behavioural and learning problems could possibly affect your child in the long-term andpersist in adolescence.

The alternative to receiving methadone treatment while pregnant is the newborn baby being born to a mother experiencing opioid addiction disorder. When this happens, it’s known as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). NOWS can also have detrimental effects on the baby, so many women will opt for treating opioid use disorder by taking methadone or buprenorphine treatment instead.

Remember, there is no right or wrong decision here. By weighing the pros of cons and each option with your doctor or addictions therapist, you can come to the right decision for your unique situation. Although methadone treatment isn’t without risk, if the mother is stable and in recovery, this is often the best choice for both her and the baby.

How Does Methadone Affect Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is almost always considered the optimal choice for feeding a baby among doctors. However, choosing to breastfeed is considerately lower among women experiencing opioid use disorder when their child is born. This is because the opioids can pass through from the mother to the baby through the breastmilk.

However, breastfeeding is incredibly beneficial in mothers who are taking methadone and is encouraged by doctors to improve the health of the baby. It can lessen the risk of infection, improve the overall health of the newborn, and in turn, you’ll see a reduction in hospital visits. It also has numerous other benefits, such as reducing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity in adulthood, and more.

Even some methadone can pass through to the baby, a mother’s milk naturally helps boost the infant’s immune system. In babies born with NAS, it can greatly reduce the amount of days the newborn will need to stay in the hospital to receive treatment. It also significantly improves bonding between the mother and baby.

Although methadone can pass into breast milk, it is generally considered safe for mothers to breastfeed while taking the medication. However, it is important to speak with a doctor before doing so, as the dose of methadone may need to be adjusted to ensure the baby is not affected. Your doctor may be able to slowly taper you off the drug to ensure your baby is born with optimal health. It is also important to note that breastfeeding while taking methadone may increase the risk of side effects for the baby, such as drowsiness and difficulty sleeping.

The only time mothers will not be encouraged to breastfeed is when in infectious disease, such as maternal HIV infection, is present. Although there are ways to greatly reduce the chance of transmission, breastfeeding promotes the risk of perinatal HIV infection and other infectious diseases. This can createmany health problems for the newborn baby, such as neonatal mortality (children dying within 28 days of birth). Your doctor will be able to advise you with the best course of action if you believe you could pass an infection along to your baby.

Contact CATC for help with Methadone Use During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an important time for any woman, and it is important to be aware of the risks associated with taking any medications, including methadone. The same can be said for drugs like buprenorphine as an alternative. If you or someone you know is pregnant and experiencing opioid use disorder, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Receiving proper treatment earlier on in the pregnancy can help save the baby’s life and reduce the risks associated with it being exposed to opioids.

If you’re ready to begin your recovery journey, Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (CATC) is here to help you through every step of the process. We are a leading provider of addiction treatment services, dedicated to helping pregnant women experiencing opioid use disorder get the care they need for both themselves and their baby. We offer a variety of services, including medication-assisted treatment, counselling, and support groups to help you stay on the path to recovery.

We are here to provide the care and support needed to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. To learn more about CATC and the services we offer, pleasecontact us today. With our help, you can get the treatment you need to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Information on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not replace personalized medical advice. You should never make any decisions about your health without consulting a healthcare professional, especially when related to substance use or mental health. To speak to a qualified member of our team for personalized advice, you cancontact us here.