Effect's of Lowering Methadone Dose During Pregnancy

Effect's of Lowering Methadone Dose During Pregnancy

After doing much research on the effect's of Methadone on both pregnant women and their unborn children, I have found much evidence proving what I have stated all along to be true in a case near and dear to my heart.

As I've stated since the beginning, lowering the Methadone dose of a pregnant woman, OR stopping the Mother's dosage, which is what a Nashua Drug Counselor is GUILTY of CAN cause preterm labor. See: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/mh_bcmh/docs/confandtraining/2010/MethadonePreg11-11-10.pdf  
Detoxification should not be attempted after the 32nd week pregnancy because of possible fetal distress and premature labor induced by withdrawal.
As pregnancy progresses, patients report increasing withdrawal symptoms and frequently require increases in dose to maintain stable plasma levels and remain free of withdrawal.
When the Mother suffer's withdrawal symptoms, so does the baby, which can definitely cause Preterm labor.
Fetal death has also been documented.

Also: http://advocatesforpregnantwomen.org/MethadoneFAQ.pdf
Opiate detoxification (whether by going “cold turkey” or gradually with the aid of medication)
always is associated with a significant risk of relapse to illicit drug use, but is particularly dangerous
during pregnancy because withdrawal can cause uterine contractions, miscarriage or early labor.

Preterm labor can also cause other problems. 
See: http://www.mededta.org/curriculum/curriculum_c09.htm

Obstetrical Complications

Obstetrical complications in pregnant women who are opioid addicted are the same as those seen at increased rates in all women who lack prenatal care. They include: abruption placentae, intrauterine death, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine passage of meconium, low Apgar scores, placental insufficiency, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, premature labor/delivery, premature rupture of membranes, septic thrombophlebitis, spontaneous abortion. These complications may be difficult to diagnose in patients who are opioid addicted because they often deny the existence of complications or avoid medical settings. When obstetrical complications are confirmed, standard treatments, including use of medications to arrest preterm labor, can be initiated safely.

Methadone CAN also cause Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome of the newborn. In fact, the withdrawal symptoms are much worse than Heroin withdrawals and last longer due to Methadone's longer half life. See: http://www.mededta.org/curriculum/curriculum_c09.htm                                                         Although NAS can be more severe or prolonged with methadone than heroin because of methadone’s longer half-life, with appropriate pharmacotherapy, NAS can be treated satisfactorily without any severe neonatal effects.

Methadone DOES enter the Placenta. See: http://www.rehabinfo.net/methadone-addiction/pregnancy/  However, methadone use during pregnancy is not without risks. Methadone does enter the placenta and can cause dependence in the fetus.                                                                            Yes, Methadone is the better option, but beware of CPS/DCYF, the Family Court's, your Drug Counselor, the Hospital Social Worker and even your own Lawyer. When it comes to your newborn, you can't trust any of these people. When there's money to be made, your innocence doesn't matter. The only thing that matter's in the Family Court's is their bias against innocent parent's and their ILLEGAL use of "Hearsay" without proof. And let us not forget the blood money paid by the Federal Government for each and every one of our stolen children!