The Effects of Methadone on Fetal Distress During Labour
Contributor
By Melissa Warner, eHow Contributing Writer
Fetal distress is when a baby's oxygen supply through the placenta and umbilical cord become restrained and causes heart deceleration or inactivity. If the condition is not taken care of, the baby can die. There are many causes of fetal distress, including heroin addiction. Many mothers who become pregnant try to kick the habit so the baby is not born with defects or drugs in his system. Methadone is the main drug given to addicts to help with withdrawal. Some mothers are on the medication before becoming pregnant. Regardless, there are many concerns related to the effect of methadone on fetal distress syndrome.
Methadone is Safe
Addicts who choose not to continue methadone treatment will find that they are putting their fetus at incredible risk. The symptoms of withdrawal create a harmful and stressful environment for the fetus to grow in. Studies have found that methadone is a safe alternative.
The Other Option May Kill the Fetus
Studies have been conducted over the years and in various countries, and every one has found that methadone prevents miscarriages in comparison to the experiences of those addicts who chose to go cold turkey. The incidence of fetuses born with fetal distress was not related to the methadone.
Dosages Must Stay Consistent
To avoid fetal distress, it is important to continue the same amount of methadone as pre-pregnancy. Lowering the dosage in the first trimester puts mother at a high risk of miscarriage.
Metabolism Changes
Since methadone use should be continued to avoid fetal distress, it is also important to keep in mind a woman's metabolism changes throughout the pregnancy. This means that dosage should stay consistent with the mother's body. Too little can put stress on the fetus.
Abnormalities
Fetuses will not experience any abnormalities, including being born with fetal distress syndrome. Methadone use does not cause any abnormalities, according to extensive research.
Read more: The Effects of Methadone on Fetal Distress During Labour | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5031794_effects-fetal-distress-during-labour.html#ixzz0uz64GSyN
Isabella Brooke Knightly and Austin Gamez-Knightly
In Memory of my Loving Husband, William F. Knightly Jr. Murdered by ILLEGAL Palliative Care at a Nashua, NH Hospital
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Using Narcotics for Pain Relief During Childbirth-Opiates also cross the placenta during labor
Using Narcotics for Pain Relief During Childbirth
Many women use some type of method to deal with pain during childbirth. As you prepare for your labor experience, it is important to become educated on different pain medications, how they work, and the risks and benefits. Which method you decide to use (if any at all) depends on your preference, your health care provider’s recommendations, and the availability at your birthing facility.
What are Opiates?
Opiates are a type of analgesic given to relieve pain. When used during childbirth, Opiates are considered the next step from the less invasive or natural methods of pain relief such as laboring in water, deep breathing, and massage. Opiates are given in small doses and usually during the early stages of labor in an attempt to avoid potential side effects for the mother and baby.
What are the advantages of using opiates during childbirth?
Opiates offer pain relief and do not interfere with a woman’s ability to push during labor. Unlike an epidural, an opiate does not numb the pain but instead it helps to take the “edge” off. Opiates may help to reduce anxiety and improve the ability to cope with painful contractions.
What are the potential side effects of opiates?
Opiates may have the following side effects on the mother:
Nausea
Vomiting
Itching
Dizziness
Sedation
Decreased gastric motility
Loss of protective airway reflexes
Hypoxia due to respiratory depression
How will the opiates affect my baby?
Throughout pregnancy, you were probably aware that medications you consumed could potentially affect your baby. Opiates also cross the placenta during labor and can cause the following side effects to your baby:
Central nervous system depression
Respiratory depression
Impaired early breastfeeding
Altered neurological behavior
Decreased ability to regulate body temperature
For these reasons, your baby may need medication to counteract the opiate effects. Naloxone is a medication that when given in small doses can reverse the respiratory depression that opiates may cause in the baby. This drug is usually given intravenously to your baby. The effects of naloxone can be seen within a few minutes and can last up to 2 hours.
What types of opiates are used during childbirth?
The most frequently used narcotic medications are:
Morphine
Stadol
Fentanyl
Nubain
Demerol
Demerol:
Demerol is a popular choice for pain relief during labor. Demerol alters how you recognize the pain you are experiencing by binding to the receptors found in your central nervous system. The advantages of Demerol include:
Can be given by injection into the muscle, the vein or by a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump
Demerol starts working in less than 5 minutes
How can Demerol affect me and my baby?
Demerol can cause drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and maternal hypertension (low blood pressure). If injected within 2-4 hours of delivery, Demerol has been found to cause breathing difficulties in babies.
Morphine:
In recent years, morphine has not been routinely used as a method of pain relief during labor because it has been found to depress the baby’s ability to breathe.
Stadol:
Stadol has been found to relieve pain when given in the first stage of labor. This narcotic is considered more potent then Demerol. It is usually given intravenously in small doses, usually 1 to 2 mg. The advantages of using Stadol include:
Starts working in less then five minutes
Is a sedative
Has minimal fetal effects
Cause minimal nausea
How can Stadol affect me and my baby?
Stadol can cause the mother to have respiratory depression, dizziness and dysphoria (a state of feeling unwell and unhappy). Stadol can cause respiratory depression in the baby.
Fentanyl:
Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that provides mild to moderate sedation. The advantages of using Fentanyl include:
Begins working quickly (although, usually only lasts 45 minutes)
Minimal sedation
Minimal fetal effects
How can Fentanyl affect me and my baby?
You and your baby may experience some sedation and/or nausea. According to Danforth’s Obstetrics and Gynecology, baby’s born to mothers who used Fentanyl to relieve pain during labor were less likely to need naloxone (medication to help with breathing) than babies born to mothers who used Demerol during childbirth.
Nubain:
Nubain is a opiate agonist-antagonist that is comparable to morphine. The advantages of using Nubain include:
Begins working within 5 minutes of administration
Minimal nausea
Minimal fetal effects
How can Nubain affect me and my baby?
Nubain can cause the mother to have sedation and dysphoria (a state of feeling unwell and unhappy).
How will my pain medication be given?
Medication can be given in any of the following ways:
A one time injection into the spinal column
IV or Intravenous placement into a vein on the back of the hand or arm. A needle is inserted into a vein with a plastic tube connected to a bag holding fluid that slowly drips into your body. In a hospital setting, an IV is typically placed to help you stay hydrated throughout labor and assure access to administer medications if they are needed.
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump is a way a mother can control when she receives pain mediation during labor by pushing a button. The advantage of having a PCA is that it provides a sense of control and the mother does not have to wait for the nurse to bring pain medication. Fentanyl and Demerol are common narcotics that can be given through a PCA pump. The pump is pre-programmed based on the drug dosage into amounts small enough to relieve pain without releasing too much medication.
LAST UPDATED: 12/2006
Compiled using information from the following sources:
Williams Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 19.
Danforth’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Ninth Ed. Scott, James R., et al, Ch. 3.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/narcotics.html
Many women use some type of method to deal with pain during childbirth. As you prepare for your labor experience, it is important to become educated on different pain medications, how they work, and the risks and benefits. Which method you decide to use (if any at all) depends on your preference, your health care provider’s recommendations, and the availability at your birthing facility.
What are Opiates?
Opiates are a type of analgesic given to relieve pain. When used during childbirth, Opiates are considered the next step from the less invasive or natural methods of pain relief such as laboring in water, deep breathing, and massage. Opiates are given in small doses and usually during the early stages of labor in an attempt to avoid potential side effects for the mother and baby.
What are the advantages of using opiates during childbirth?
Opiates offer pain relief and do not interfere with a woman’s ability to push during labor. Unlike an epidural, an opiate does not numb the pain but instead it helps to take the “edge” off. Opiates may help to reduce anxiety and improve the ability to cope with painful contractions.
What are the potential side effects of opiates?
Opiates may have the following side effects on the mother:
Nausea
Vomiting
Itching
Dizziness
Sedation
Decreased gastric motility
Loss of protective airway reflexes
Hypoxia due to respiratory depression
How will the opiates affect my baby?
Throughout pregnancy, you were probably aware that medications you consumed could potentially affect your baby. Opiates also cross the placenta during labor and can cause the following side effects to your baby:
Central nervous system depression
Respiratory depression
Impaired early breastfeeding
Altered neurological behavior
Decreased ability to regulate body temperature
For these reasons, your baby may need medication to counteract the opiate effects. Naloxone is a medication that when given in small doses can reverse the respiratory depression that opiates may cause in the baby. This drug is usually given intravenously to your baby. The effects of naloxone can be seen within a few minutes and can last up to 2 hours.
What types of opiates are used during childbirth?
The most frequently used narcotic medications are:
Morphine
Stadol
Fentanyl
Nubain
Demerol
Demerol:
Demerol is a popular choice for pain relief during labor. Demerol alters how you recognize the pain you are experiencing by binding to the receptors found in your central nervous system. The advantages of Demerol include:
Can be given by injection into the muscle, the vein or by a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump
Demerol starts working in less than 5 minutes
How can Demerol affect me and my baby?
Demerol can cause drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and maternal hypertension (low blood pressure). If injected within 2-4 hours of delivery, Demerol has been found to cause breathing difficulties in babies.
Morphine:
In recent years, morphine has not been routinely used as a method of pain relief during labor because it has been found to depress the baby’s ability to breathe.
Stadol:
Stadol has been found to relieve pain when given in the first stage of labor. This narcotic is considered more potent then Demerol. It is usually given intravenously in small doses, usually 1 to 2 mg. The advantages of using Stadol include:
Starts working in less then five minutes
Is a sedative
Has minimal fetal effects
Cause minimal nausea
How can Stadol affect me and my baby?
Stadol can cause the mother to have respiratory depression, dizziness and dysphoria (a state of feeling unwell and unhappy). Stadol can cause respiratory depression in the baby.
Fentanyl:
Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that provides mild to moderate sedation. The advantages of using Fentanyl include:
Begins working quickly (although, usually only lasts 45 minutes)
Minimal sedation
Minimal fetal effects
How can Fentanyl affect me and my baby?
You and your baby may experience some sedation and/or nausea. According to Danforth’s Obstetrics and Gynecology, baby’s born to mothers who used Fentanyl to relieve pain during labor were less likely to need naloxone (medication to help with breathing) than babies born to mothers who used Demerol during childbirth.
Nubain:
Nubain is a opiate agonist-antagonist that is comparable to morphine. The advantages of using Nubain include:
Begins working within 5 minutes of administration
Minimal nausea
Minimal fetal effects
How can Nubain affect me and my baby?
Nubain can cause the mother to have sedation and dysphoria (a state of feeling unwell and unhappy).
How will my pain medication be given?
Medication can be given in any of the following ways:
A one time injection into the spinal column
IV or Intravenous placement into a vein on the back of the hand or arm. A needle is inserted into a vein with a plastic tube connected to a bag holding fluid that slowly drips into your body. In a hospital setting, an IV is typically placed to help you stay hydrated throughout labor and assure access to administer medications if they are needed.
Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump is a way a mother can control when she receives pain mediation during labor by pushing a button. The advantage of having a PCA is that it provides a sense of control and the mother does not have to wait for the nurse to bring pain medication. Fentanyl and Demerol are common narcotics that can be given through a PCA pump. The pump is pre-programmed based on the drug dosage into amounts small enough to relieve pain without releasing too much medication.
LAST UPDATED: 12/2006
Compiled using information from the following sources:
Williams Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 19.
Danforth’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Ninth Ed. Scott, James R., et al, Ch. 3.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/narcotics.html
Teacher, former Big Brother and foster parent, charged with molestation
Teacher, former Big Brother and foster parent, charged with molestation
Curt Edward Carson
By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Published: 7/27/2010 9:27 PM
Last Modified: 7/27/2010 9:27 PM
Prosecutors have charged a Union Public Schools special education teacher and former Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2002.
Curt Edward Carson, 49, of Broken Arrow was arrested July 9 at a Starbucks coffee shop at 71st Street and Garnett Road by officers from the Tulsa Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit.
He was released from the Tulsa Jail on $50,000 bail later that day, jail records show.
Carson was charged on Tuesday with the lewd molestation of a 13-year-old boy between July 2002 and August 2003, court records show.
During that time, Carson was a teacher for Tulsa Public Schools and was a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also has been a foster parent, Cpl. Clay Asbill said.
Carson was hired by Union Public Schools in 2005. He worked at Union Intermediate High School as a special education teacher for three years before he was transferred to Union’s Sixth and Seventh Grade Center as a special education teacher.
He has worked at the Sixth and Seventh Grade Center for the last two years, the school district reported.
A news release from the district on the day he was arrested states, “In light of his arrest this morning, Union Public Schools has suspended Carson with pay, as required by law, pending the outcome of the investigation and will fully cooperate with Tulsa police in the investigation.”
Carson taught in Tulsa at Clinton Middle School from 2001 to 2004 and worked at Hamilton Middle School until he resigned in 2005, Tulsa Public Schools spokeswoman Tami Marler said.
By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2010/crimesite/article.aspx?subjectid=450&articleid=20100727_11_0_Prosec662141
Curt Edward Carson
By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Published: 7/27/2010 9:27 PM
Last Modified: 7/27/2010 9:27 PM
Prosecutors have charged a Union Public Schools special education teacher and former Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2002.
Curt Edward Carson, 49, of Broken Arrow was arrested July 9 at a Starbucks coffee shop at 71st Street and Garnett Road by officers from the Tulsa Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit.
He was released from the Tulsa Jail on $50,000 bail later that day, jail records show.
Carson was charged on Tuesday with the lewd molestation of a 13-year-old boy between July 2002 and August 2003, court records show.
During that time, Carson was a teacher for Tulsa Public Schools and was a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also has been a foster parent, Cpl. Clay Asbill said.
Carson was hired by Union Public Schools in 2005. He worked at Union Intermediate High School as a special education teacher for three years before he was transferred to Union’s Sixth and Seventh Grade Center as a special education teacher.
He has worked at the Sixth and Seventh Grade Center for the last two years, the school district reported.
A news release from the district on the day he was arrested states, “In light of his arrest this morning, Union Public Schools has suspended Carson with pay, as required by law, pending the outcome of the investigation and will fully cooperate with Tulsa police in the investigation.”
Carson taught in Tulsa at Clinton Middle School from 2001 to 2004 and worked at Hamilton Middle School until he resigned in 2005, Tulsa Public Schools spokeswoman Tami Marler said.
By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2010/crimesite/article.aspx?subjectid=450&articleid=20100727_11_0_Prosec662141
State agency reports shortcomings in child abuse probe
State agency reports shortcomings in child abuse probe
By JOSÉ PATIÑO GIRONA | The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 27, 2010
A month after 2-year-old Deondray Ashe of Lakeland died from alleged child abuse, the Florida Department of Children and Families released its internal review of the agency's handling of the case while the boy's family was under investigation.
The routine internal evaluation, which was completed July 19, listed some positive aspects but more areas of where improvement is needed.
The agency was investigating Ashe's mom, Ina Ashe, and his stepfather, Marcus Brown, after a March 26 allegation of child abuse where the boy suffered fractured ribs. The case, which was closed May 25, was ruled unsubstantiated, said Ann Berner, DCF's administrator for Circuit 10, which includes Polk County.
The report cites that no one from the agency visited the child and his family from April 6, when he was discharged from St. Joseph's Hospital, until May 24. Berner said there should have been regular visits in between, although the family had been reached by telephone.
The report said staff also should have continued weight checks to see whether Ashe was continuing to gain weight. There should have been further investigation to learn whether there was weight loss and if it was caused by illness of neglect, the report states.
In addition, that staff should have prepared a more detailed safety plan pointing out sleeping arrangements and proper supervision of Ashe's 4-year-old sibling.
The report recommends that the child protection investigation staff attend a safety planning training.
On June 14, less than a month after the child abuse allegation was deemed unsubstantiated, Deondray Ashe was dead. Brown was arrested June 16 and charged with first-degree murder in his stepson's death.
Earlier this month, Ina Ashe was charged with aggravated manslaughter on a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect in Deondray's death.
Berner said that during the investigation support groups were put in place to assist the family and the family was cooperative with investigators.
The family had never been investigated for child abuse. Ina Ashe was a nurse. Though Brown did have a criminal history, they were minor offenses that did not involve violence, Berner said.
"I don't think any of those recommendations would have given us a different outcome," Berner said.
Berner added that no one in the agency who worked on this case will receive a reprimand or is in jeopardy of losing their job.
Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jul/27/state-agency-reports-shortcomings-child-abuse-prob/news-breaking/
By JOSÉ PATIÑO GIRONA | The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 27, 2010
A month after 2-year-old Deondray Ashe of Lakeland died from alleged child abuse, the Florida Department of Children and Families released its internal review of the agency's handling of the case while the boy's family was under investigation.
The routine internal evaluation, which was completed July 19, listed some positive aspects but more areas of where improvement is needed.
The agency was investigating Ashe's mom, Ina Ashe, and his stepfather, Marcus Brown, after a March 26 allegation of child abuse where the boy suffered fractured ribs. The case, which was closed May 25, was ruled unsubstantiated, said Ann Berner, DCF's administrator for Circuit 10, which includes Polk County.
The report cites that no one from the agency visited the child and his family from April 6, when he was discharged from St. Joseph's Hospital, until May 24. Berner said there should have been regular visits in between, although the family had been reached by telephone.
The report said staff also should have continued weight checks to see whether Ashe was continuing to gain weight. There should have been further investigation to learn whether there was weight loss and if it was caused by illness of neglect, the report states.
In addition, that staff should have prepared a more detailed safety plan pointing out sleeping arrangements and proper supervision of Ashe's 4-year-old sibling.
The report recommends that the child protection investigation staff attend a safety planning training.
On June 14, less than a month after the child abuse allegation was deemed unsubstantiated, Deondray Ashe was dead. Brown was arrested June 16 and charged with first-degree murder in his stepson's death.
Earlier this month, Ina Ashe was charged with aggravated manslaughter on a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect in Deondray's death.
Berner said that during the investigation support groups were put in place to assist the family and the family was cooperative with investigators.
The family had never been investigated for child abuse. Ina Ashe was a nurse. Though Brown did have a criminal history, they were minor offenses that did not involve violence, Berner said.
"I don't think any of those recommendations would have given us a different outcome," Berner said.
Berner added that no one in the agency who worked on this case will receive a reprimand or is in jeopardy of losing their job.
Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jul/27/state-agency-reports-shortcomings-child-abuse-prob/news-breaking/
Antonovich calls for audit of county's child protection safety net
Antonovich calls for audit of county's child protection safety net
Source: Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Fifth District
Posted: July 27, 2010 3:59 p.m.
Updated: July 27, 2010 5:00 p.m.
Related Content
This story is posted in The Signal's SCV Raw section. Click here for more information about SCV Raw.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- "Recent tragedies are the failure of a coordinated protocol of County departments who come into contact with abused and neglected children and their families," said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who with Supervisor Don Knabe, introduced a motion ordering an independent audit and recommendations to protect these children.
"Ensuring the safety, permanency and self-sufficiency of abused and neglected children requires the coordination of the Department of Children and Family Services as well as other departments that touch the life of that child or family during a child abuse investigation including Health Services, Public Health, Mental Health and Public Social Services," he said.
http://www.the-signal.com/section/114/article/31546/
Source: Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Fifth District
Posted: July 27, 2010 3:59 p.m.
Updated: July 27, 2010 5:00 p.m.
Related Content
This story is posted in The Signal's SCV Raw section. Click here for more information about SCV Raw.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- "Recent tragedies are the failure of a coordinated protocol of County departments who come into contact with abused and neglected children and their families," said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who with Supervisor Don Knabe, introduced a motion ordering an independent audit and recommendations to protect these children.
"Ensuring the safety, permanency and self-sufficiency of abused and neglected children requires the coordination of the Department of Children and Family Services as well as other departments that touch the life of that child or family during a child abuse investigation including Health Services, Public Health, Mental Health and Public Social Services," he said.
http://www.the-signal.com/section/114/article/31546/
Foster father guilty of fondling girl
Foster father guilty of fondling girl
NZPA
July 27, 2010, 7:48 am
A foster father who fondled a 14-year-old sleeping girl after drinking has avoided a prison sentence.
Graham Pihema pleaded guilty just before trial to doing an indecent act on a young person and was sentenced in New Plymouth District Court yesterday to 350 hours' community work and nine months' supervision, The Taranaki Daily News reported.
Judge Gordon Whiting said it was no excuse that Pihema had been drinking the night of the offending and could not remember it.
"Disgusting behaviour on young children is not appropriate." It was only the support of his former partner that had saved him from jail.
The woman told the court that he was a good husband and provider and had successfully raised his own daughter and three children through government agencies.
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/7651284/foster-father-guilty-of-fondling-girl/
NZPA
July 27, 2010, 7:48 am
A foster father who fondled a 14-year-old sleeping girl after drinking has avoided a prison sentence.
Graham Pihema pleaded guilty just before trial to doing an indecent act on a young person and was sentenced in New Plymouth District Court yesterday to 350 hours' community work and nine months' supervision, The Taranaki Daily News reported.
Judge Gordon Whiting said it was no excuse that Pihema had been drinking the night of the offending and could not remember it.
"Disgusting behaviour on young children is not appropriate." It was only the support of his former partner that had saved him from jail.
The woman told the court that he was a good husband and provider and had successfully raised his own daughter and three children through government agencies.
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/7651284/foster-father-guilty-of-fondling-girl/
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