The Detox Guide – Pregnancy

Pregnancy

If you are physically dependent on opiates and think you might be pregnant it is not safe to suddenly stop on your own. Sudden withdrawal increases the risk of miscarriage.

Opiates alone don’t affect the development of the unborn baby, but whether or not you want to have the baby, it is important for your health – and that of the baby – that you get proper antenatal care from a GP as soon as possible.

Being pregnant can change the way you see things, and often women are able to stop using during pregnancy when they haven’t been able to do it before. But it can also be a very stressful time and confusing too – especially if you are finding it difficult to stop using, or using more to cope with the stress. Either way a sympathetic drug service and doctor could be a big help to you.

If you want to detox, reductions should be monitored by a doctor. Detox can usually be done at any time during pregnancy, although the safest time to do it is the middle three months of pregnancy, when the risk of miscarriage is lower.

If you are still taking opiates when the baby is born it may suffer withdrawal symptoms which can be treated if the doctors know what is going on. Some hospitals admit babies born to opiate-using mothers to the special care baby unit, although this is not usually necessary.