We all know by now that drugs and alcohol can affect your pregnancy, but prescription painkillers can be just as harmful.
Taking prescription painkillers while pregnant can cause a wide range of problems, according to the March of Dimes, including the following:
- Miscarriage or pre-term labor
- Birth defects, including heart defects, spina bifida, hydrocephaly and glaucoma
- Fetal growth restriction
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which occurs when a baby is exposed to drugs in the womb and then goes through withdrawals after birth
Addiction and Miscarriage Drugs to Avoid
Heroin is an opioid, but so are commonly prescribed drugs like Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet. While pregnant, you shouldn’t take any medication, including over-the-counter drugs, without first consulting your doctor.
But if you’re already taking a prescription painkiller, the March of Dimes cautions that it can also be dangerous to stop cold turkey. Doing so can increase the risk of stillbirth, preterm labor and placental abruption, which is when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control also cautions that, “In some cases, avoiding or stopping medication use during pregnancy may be more harmful than taking it.”
If you’re pregnant and taking prescription painkillers, contact your doctor immediately and request an urgent appointment.
If you’re planning on becoming pregnant and taking painkillers as prescribed, it’s also important to talk to your doctor.
And if there’s a chance you might become pregnant and are abusing painkillers, it’s critical that you seek help and get your addiction under control.
Hope and Healing at The Raleigh House
No matter how your addiction began or where it led, there is a way to break free from the hold it has on you.
At The Raleigh House, our first goal is to make you feel safe and comfortable. You’re then assigned your own master’s level therapist who will work with you to come up with a plan for rehab—and to rebuild your life.
One-on-one and group therapy sessions will help you heal emotionally, while chef-prepared meals and activities like yoga and boxing help heal your body. Meanwhile, you’ll be staying in a clean and cozy setting that feels like home, with staff that treats you like family. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about the treatment programs at The Raleigh House.
