Methadone & Pregnancy: FAQ

Is methadone safe for my baby?

Methadone has not been shown to directly cause birth defects. At the clinic we’ve seen many healthy, adorable babies born to mothers in methadone treatment. Most babies born exposed to methadone have withdrawals and the hospital has medications to help the baby stay comfortable. If you stop using opiates suddenly you could miscarry, so it’s important to take your prescribed dose of methadone everyday.

What if I want to taper off methadone?

Tapering is not recommend while you are pregnant, but you can always talk to the clinic’s medical staff about this issue. Being pregnant can be a very exciting and wonderful experience, but it can also be very stressful and scary. Tapering can add to that stress and some people have urges to use when they taper, even when they aren’t pregnant. Many pregnant patients feel it’s not worth the chance of relapsing, feeling withdrawals, and possibly miscarriage, so they decide to discuss tapering options after they give birth.

What about breastfeeding?

It is safe to breastfeed while you are taking your methadone. It isn’t safe if you are taking illegal drugs or are HIV positive. If you are taking any prescription medications, over the counter medication, vitamins, or herbal supplements make sure you talk to your doctor about breastfeeding while taking any of these. Your baby will receive a small amount of your methadone, but the nutritional benefits and bonding of breastfeeding are so important medical providers encourage it. This applies to methadone only. We’ll discuss reasons why you should not breastfeed in the breastfeeding part of this website.

What if I can’t make it to the clinic (weather, transportation, etc.)?

It’s really important to attend to the clinic every day, so make sure you have a plan B. Always call the clinic and talk to a nurse or counselor if you aren’t going to make it to the clinic. If you are having problems with transportation, talk to your counselor about options for transportation, reduced or free public transportation programs, or other reimbursement options.

What if my counselor is not available and I need to talk or adjust my dose?

If you are told your counselor is not available you can always ask for a counselor who is available, or ask when you’ll be able to speak with your counselor. You can also ask to speak to a nurse or other member of the medical staff. There are plenty of people at the clinic who can help you. Just make sure you let us know what you need.

Is DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services, formally known as DHS) going to take my baby?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) wants to make sure babies and children are raised in a safe environment. In Maine, If your baby has withdrawals at birth, a DHHS worker will be contacted. Because every family is different, DHHS will handle each case differently. In Maine, Most families will have a home visit by a DHHS public health nurse, who will check the safety of your home and might make recommendations, such as taking parenting classes or receiving additional counseling. To learn more, read the What to Expect at the Hospital area of this site.

What if I have other medical issues?

Make sure you tell the clinic about any medical issues you have, prescription or over the counter medications (including herbs or supplements) you are taking. Also, be sure tell your medical provider (your doctor and/or prenatal provider) you are in methadone treatment. We’ll work with your medical providers to make sure all medical issues are addressed. If you have not been tested for HIV and hepatitis C (HCV), or are wondering if you are at risk, talk to your counselor. You can learn more about HIV and HCV in this section of this website.

I’m afraid my family is not going to understand. How can I talk to them?

On this website you’ll find a page with tips on talking to people who may not understand why you are in methadone treatment during your pregnancy. Maybe you can sit down with them and go over this website together. Ask your counselor for help with talking to friends and family. If you think it would be helpful, talk to your counselor about inviting them to a counseling session.

What about my dose…should I try to stay below a certain amount?

The most important thing to think about is how are you feeling physically. It’s important to take a dose of methadone that will keep you from having withdrawals or cravings for 24 hours (we call this a therapeutic level of methadone). When you first begin methadone treatment it may take a bit of time before you reach a therapeutic level. There is no certain number of milligrams you should try to stay below.


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