On Jan 13th, 2008 Carol Sholiton wrote:

We have an expert with our organization/website that deals with opiates and pregnancy. She is awesome! If you need some help/info/support.....please stop by and check it out! There's also a wonderful support forum as well. smooooooch.......Carol

http://www.MethadoneSupport.org/Pregnancy.html

On Feb 10th, 2008 Julia LeGene wrote:

This is a very informative blog post. Unfortunately, an addict will not just stop using because they are educated. Many women use through out their whole pregnancy. Most addicts find it hard to believe that they could go one day without a fix. An addicted in active addiction will give up everything they love for that next fix or high. I know I did. No matter how much I wanted to stop I just couldn't. To normal people this sounds crazy. I believe that it is important for addicts to be understood. We can recovery together and learn from each others experience, strength and hope. We are not alone.

Julia
http://addictsdorecover.com

On Mar 11th, 2008 Amber wrote:

My sister is 18 and we think she is pregnant she is addictied to pain killers is there anything I can do to get her help

On Mar 26th, 2008 jamie lane wrote:

My name is jamie and i'm addicted to methadonme and vicodon. Ineed help fast i cant take it anymoe, om in so much pain that i cant stand it no more do you know what i mean please help me!!!!!!!!!

On Mar 30th, 2008 Unknown wrote:

I'm sad to read that some of you have an addiction but i wanted to let you all know that admitting is the first step, so your on the right path. My mother did crack for more then ten years and with the help of the ten step program and prayers she's finally been clean for two years. So if God can turn my mother around, and trust me she was out there in those streets bad. Then it is never to late for any of you. Just remember to get in a program and keep god first and he will make a way for you, you are in my prayers and may God Bless you.

On Jul 9th, 2008 wanieda wrote:

A variety of scientifically based approaches to drug addiction treatment exist. Drug addiction treatment can include behavioral therapy (such as counseling, cognitive therapy, or psychotherapy), medications, or their combination.

On Jul 13th, 2008 SYLVIA AT BORN FREE wrote:

THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS IN-PATIENT AND OUT PATIENT THAT CAN HELP ALSO THE 12 STEP PROGRAMS AA AND NA HAVE HELPED MANY WOMEN OVERCOME ADDICTIONS MANY ARE COVERED BY MEDICAL OR ARE FREE

On Aug 31st, 2008 Sara wrote:

my names Sara and im 20 years old. Ive been addicted to heroin for a little over a year. I just found out that im pregnant and the last time I used was today BEFORE i found out. Im probably only a 5 weeks or less along and have no intentions on continuing to use. I am however extremely worried that ive already damaged the fetus. Since im not so far along do I have a good chance for a healthy pregnancy and baby? please someone respond. I am desperate for some help!!

On Sep 4th, 2008 jane wrote:

I am in the same boat as sara but i have continued to use. I am only using a small amount and not every day, i haven\'t decided weather or not if im keeping the baby but i want to know what the percentage of risk is if i decided to keep the baby, that is if i stopped using the drug right away, I am just over 6 weeks.

On Sep 7th, 2008 unknown wrote:

I live a secret life as a mother and have been addicted to pain killers for about 10 years. My husband would like to have another child and would love to give him this but I fear there may have been damage to my organs and i live with this every day... i know if I were to get pregnant I could stop......I would like to know~ if there is any damge to my liver or any organ and I stopped using hydrocodone and became pregnant would the fetus be affected still?

On Sep 7th, 2008 ania wrote:

i have done the same thing as jane. i don't think i should keep this baby because i am afraid i have damaged it. someone please, if you have any information please answer. im really afraid to talk to my doctor about this. i wish there was a number you could call for professional info anonymously

On Sep 17th, 2008 Kristy wrote:

In regards to Sara’s, Jane’s, and Ania’s babies, the effects of heroin on a baby are extremely detrimental to the fetus. Heroin is an addictive drug that goes into the placenta and to the baby. Due to the very addictive nature of this drug, the unborn baby can become dependent on the drug and suffer many other damages.
I am unsure of the percentage of having a healthy baby, but I do know that the first trimester, zero to fourteen weeks, are the most crucial weeks to the developing fetus. During this time, the infant will develop limbs and vital organs. During weeks one through four, the baby will develop neural tubes, the brain and spinal cord. These are two very important parts of the human body. Heroin can cause bleeding within the brain of the infant, intracranial hemorrhage, if used while pregnant. Since the brain is already beginning to develop in the first few weeks after conception your baby’s brain may have already been affected depending on the amount of heroin used. During week five, the infant’s heart begins to beat and the blood is now pumping. Arms and legs are beginning to form. The use of heroin can cause poor fetal growth, thus if used during week five it may have already affected the development of the baby’s limbs and heart. During week six the baby’s limbs further develop, there is more development of the brain, and the eyes, intestines and pancreas begin to develop. Heroin can also have devastating effects on these body parts.
Heroin use throughout the entire length of pregnancy can result in some very poor effects. Even though you have only used up to week 6, it probably has already hurt your baby. The first trimester is most crucial in fetal development. However, doctors do not encourage women who use heroin to attempt to stop suddenly because this may put the baby at increased risk of death. I suggest that you consult a health care provider or drug treatment center about what to do. They may suggest taking a drug called methadone. Babies born to mothers taking methadone may also experience withdrawal symptoms, however they can safely be treated in a hospital and they typically do better than babies born to women who continued the use of heroin.
Other risks of heroin on a baby may depend on the way in which it is taken. If you inject it into your muscle or vein, you may be at an increased risk of having HIV, which can further harm your baby. In this case you may require further treatment.
Most babies born from women who use heroin suffer from withdrawal symptoms after birth, such as fever, sneezing, trembling, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting, continual crying and occasionally seizures. These babies also are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). About fifty percent of all babies of heroin users are born with low birth weight. Many are premature and have breathing problems and are at increased risk of lifelong disabilities, such as learning and behavioral problems.
It is difficult to say how much your baby has already been affected, but I do suggest talking to your doctor immediately. He or she may suggest starting treatment for you and your developing baby. Also depending on your beliefs they may suggest the possibility of an abortion. It is very important to be honest with your doctor because they need to know the best way to begin treatment for you and your baby. There is still hope to have baby, but you must seek care immediately.

On Sep 24th, 2008 samantha jane byrne wrote:

have discovered this week that my 19 year old daughter has been smoking heroin for about 2 months and has discovered she is 6 weeks pregnant. she has informed me today that her doctor has told her to continue smoking it until they get her a bed in a detox unit, this could take 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! surely that cant be right