Opiate and opioid use in pregnancy is widespread. A study from 2007 found that almost 23% of pregnant women on Medicaid filled a prescription<\/a> for an opiate during their pregnancy. Illegal opiate use is also thought to be common. Although it is hard to pinpoint how many heroin users are pregnant<\/a>, about one-third<\/a> of heroin users are female and 90% are of childbearing age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to note that the terms opiate and opioid are often used interchangeably<\/a>. However, there is a small distinction<\/a> between them. Opiates refer to drugs derived naturally from poppies, such as heroin, morphine and codeine. Opioids, however, refer to natural opiates as well as synthetic or semi-synthetic opiates that are made in a lab. Synthetic or semi-synthetic opioids include fentanyl, tramadol and oxycodone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doctors often hesitate to give a blanket statement about whether medications like opioids are safe during pregnancy. Many times, it is a balance between risk and reward. When there is severe pain from certain medical conditions, experts consider opioids to be safer than many alternatives<\/a>. However, due to the ever-present risk of opioid addiction<\/a>, opioid overdose<\/a>, and opioid withdrawal<\/a>, it is difficult for doctors to claim that opiate use is safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Topic:<\/strong> Can You Get Addicted to Opioids Using Them as Prescribed?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Doctors usually advise women to use medications wisely during pregnancy<\/a> and avoid unnecessary drugs. For this reason, opioids are not usually the first choice for pain management while pregnant or breastfeeding.<\/strong> Doctors often advise women to explore other options so that the baby is not exposed to harmful substances. Alternatives to opioids include non-opioid drugs<\/a> as well as non-drug therapies<\/a>. A woman should always talk to their doctor before trying any drug or non-drug remedies while pregnant or breastfeeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you or someone you love have questions or concerns about a pregnancy and don\u2019t know where to turn for help? Get support and answers at the American Pregnancy Association<\/a> at 1-800-672-2296.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many types of opioids are produced within the United States, and it is possible that a pregnant woman may have access to a variety of opioid drugs. Some are injectables restricted to hospital use, while others are available by prescription at local pharmacies. Opioids include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, there is little data regarding how long opioids remain in your system while you are pregnant. Experts know that drugs break down differently during pregnancy<\/a> due to metabolism changes in a pregnant woman. Due to ethical concerns, however, trials of drug dosing in pregnant women have not taken place. For this reason, it is difficult to know how long an opioid lasts in a pregnant woman\u2019s body. This uncertainty adds to the concerns doctors have about opioid use in pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain urgent medical issues may respond better to opioids, even in pregnant or breastfeeding women. In these cases, the benefit of opiate use may outweigh the risk to the baby. These issues include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experts are cautious about prescribing opioids to pregnant women. Although some studies<\/a> suggest that there may be an increase in birth defects linked to opioids<\/a> taken in pregnancy, other studies<\/a> have disputed those claims. In addition, doctors are concerned<\/a> about the risk of abuse, addiction and withdrawal in pregnant women and babies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For these reasons, doctors try to avoid prescribing opioids to pregnant women, with the exception of MAT.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If a pregnant woman is taking MAT to overcome opioid addiction, doctors believe<\/a> that the benefit of MAT opioids like methadone<\/a> or buprenorphine<\/a> outweighs potential risks. Staying on MAT helps increase the chance that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opioid-born babies are very common. In fact, in the United States, a baby with opioid withdrawal is born every 15 minutes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Babies with opioids in their bodies at the time of birth are often diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome<\/a>, or NAS. This condition occurs when a baby goes into withdrawal from the opioids that their mother took during the pregnancy. Babies of mothers who struggle with heroin are particularly susceptible to NAS, with the condition occurring in up to 94%<\/a> of heroin-born babies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NAS can be treated. Mothers can comfort NAS babies<\/a> with swaddling, cuddling and skin-to-skin contact. Sometimes, doctors prescribe opioids to babies with NAS. The babies are then slowly taken off the opioids until they are free of both opioids and NAS. Although NAS can occur in babies whose mothers take medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment<\/a>, the severity of NAS is much less<\/a> than if the mothers were misusing opioids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Misusing opioids \u2014 especially illicit opioids \u2014 while you are pregnant may cause serious long-term consequences for your baby. Some of the effects of abusing opioids during pregnancy can include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pregnant women should not stop opioid use abruptly, as doing so increases the chance of withdrawal<\/a>. Withdrawal is dangerous in pregnancy and can be deadly<\/a> to the baby. Further, doctors estimate that suddenly stopping opioid use and going into withdrawal puts the risk of relapse<\/a> over 90%. Instead, the doctor may be able to help a mother arrange rehab and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehab is one of the safest ways to quit taking opioids while pregnant. Rehab<\/a> consists of participating in intense individual and group therapy sessions while healing from opioid addiction. In therapy, you learn to explore why you became reliant on opioids in the first place and learn coping strategies to live an opioid-free life that is safer for both you and your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pregnancy experts also recommend<\/a> MAT for those struggling with opioids during pregnancy. With MAT, instead of taking the opioid you normally take, you are prescribed methadone or a buprenorphine-based product to prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, women who are on opiates can breastfeed if they<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, some opioids may be riskier than others for a baby. For example, if a nursing mother takes codeine<\/a> or tramadol<\/a>, their baby may be at a higher risk<\/a> of opioid exposure. Codeine is a morphine precursor. Because some people\u2019s bodies quickly convert codeine to morphine, it is possible<\/a> to unintentionally pass a high dose of morphine to the baby through breast milk, putting the baby at risk of an overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women who take illicit street opioids like heroin should not breastfeed<\/a>. Not only are breastfeeding babies at risk of a heroin overdose, but they are also at risk of toxicity caused by a variety of substances that drug dealers use when cutting heroin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to be honest with your doctor, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your doctor may ask you about pain or what kinds of medications you are taking. If you are experiencing pain or are taking opioids, prescribed or not, it is important to trust your doctor and inform them. With accurate information, your doctor can help plan treatments that are safer for both you and your baby. These can include treatments for pain as well as substance abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many non-drug alternatives that can help manage pain. These may help a woman stop taking opioids during pregnancy, or they may help her lower the opioid dose she needs to function. Some options include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you get pregnant, it is important to try to find methods for pain relief that do not include opioids. If you are dependent on opioids but are a woman of childbearing age, it is important to seek professional assistance before getting pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking opioids during pregnancy, especially if they are illicit, can lead to a host of health issues for you and your baby. However, receiving treatment for a substance use disorder can greatly reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Treatment can involve multiple strategies, including detox, rehab and MAT. These treatments can help you recover from an opioid addiction while keeping both you and your baby safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you are already pregnant, it is never too late to start preparing a better, opioid-free life for both yourself and your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our caring, compassionate opioid experts at The Recovery Village<\/a> can help you taper off opioids safely while pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive. Contact us<\/a> today to learn more about treatment plans and programs that can work well for your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nArticle at a Glance:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is It Safe To Take Opiates or Opioids During Pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Commonly Prescribed Opioids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Long Do Opiates Stay in Your System While Pregnant?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When the Benefit of Opioids and Opiates Outweighs the Risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Effects of Using Opiates or Opioids While Pregnant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Opioid-Born Babies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of NAS:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Long-Term Effects on Babies Born Addicted to Opiates or Opioids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Quitting Opioid or Opiate Use While Pregnant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Opioids and Opiates While Breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Talking to Your Doctor About Opioid or Opiate Use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives to Opioids and Opiates While Pregnant or Breastfeeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Planning for Pregnancy if You Take Opioids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n