How long does a pregnant mother have to use xanax for the baby to be born with addiction or withdrawls?
November 11th, 2009 | 
Author: Welcome to sober companion by Dr. Rob Tencer DC,BSC.
I’m 31 weeks pregnant and for the past four days, and only the past four days, I had been taking xanax at least 3 to maybe 4 milligrams a day. I stopped today when I snapped back to reality and realized what I’ve been doing to my baby. I have to mention that I’m bipolar and a previous drug abuser and I was acting on impulse. As anyone who is bipolar as well and OFF medication knows that those impulses are uncontrollable. I feel extremely guilty and am scared my baby will be born with withdrawals and they will have to take him away from me and I don’t want that. I have not done any other drugs throughout the pregnancy, it was just these past four days and I have stopped. I was told that at this stage into my pregnancy I do not have to worry about the baby born with congenital defects but withdrawals and possibly addiction..My question is, could these four days of selfishness and abuse cause my baby to be born with withdrawals or addiction. Please help me I love my baby to death and I do not want him to be taken away.
**When I was on medication for the bipolar, I had stopped the drug abuse, but because I got pregnant I could not be on medication and my mania has been crazy.**
I have asked this question once before but all people were telling me that I was stupid and a horrible mother. I feel like there are things i have to mention more than once to make sure people understand what it is that I am going through. I cannot take meds for bipolar because of the defects it can cause so the best thing the doctor could give me was zoloft. That did nothing but heighten my anxiety and didn’t help my bipolar at all. I feel exactly the same on it and my mania has not decreased. Being a past drug abuser with cyclothymia. I was also told that I was selfish to want to keep my baby because how would i want him to have a crazy mother like me. Please I ask you to answer my questions.
You people do not understand what it is like to be bipolar, and off your meds while pregnant. And also I too know alot of people that have had drug abuse in the past, but they are not all cyclothymic like I am. The impulse is uncontrollable off meds..I am tired of people lecturing me instead of answering my questions with facts and details. I have enough guilt as it is knowing that this one time I let this slip through my hands might harm my baby. I do not want him to be taken away from me. I am a psych major with only a few months away from my degree. So do not try to act like you know what it is like to be in my shoes. I am asking for an answer, not a lecture. Please I hope that the people can answer my question instead of being ignorant and rude like the ones in my previous post.I just want answers with facts and details to my question, and would also like to know that if my baby is born with withdrawls will he be taken away from me?
I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, manic depressive and I have panic attacks. I’ve been on a coctail of antidepressants and sedatives since I was 17 years old, that were prescribed by my doctor.
When I got preggers at age 23 with my daughter that obgyn took me off of all medications, I nearly went crazy, seriously. I kicked my husband’s ass a few times…lol! My blood pressure sky rocketed, which I think was a direct result of my mood and agitation. So when I got pregnant this time, I’m 26 now, I went to a new obgyn who suggested I remain on my medication and that would be better than coming off it all. I’m still taking wellbutrin but I did come off my Xanex, Ativan and sleep aids. I feel so much better this pregnancy, haven’t beat up the hubby yet…lol!
The Xanex likely won’t cause any harm since you only took it a few times, just don’t take anymore, it is classified as a category D, which is bad. I would strongly suggest asking your doctor for an alternative medicine, like Wellbutrin, it’s a category B. It will also help with postpartum depression, which bi-polar people are more likely to have than others. Anywhoo hope this helped a little and Good luck.
Posted in zoloft addiction
try not to use the drugs ever again… especially while pregnant… and just pray that your baby hasnt had any harm so far from your drug use…
good luck and God bless you and your child
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im sorry i wish i could help but i don’t know, i hope you don’t think im wasting your time i just wanted to say that i hope you ok and that i don’t think your a stupid or horrible mother.
good luck
xx xx
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Sweetie, calm down and listen. Call the doctor and explain what you’ve done. They can monitor the baby. I know one women who was on high doses of Xanax through 3 pregnancies. The doctors monitored her carefully and her boys are all fine.
The issue here for you is can you stay clean until the baby comes? Its much better to have the medication issue in the open with the doctor so there is no surprise later. If the baby did have with drawl there would be red flags yes. If they know to plan on it happening then they can treat accordingly. That way they would not try and take the baby as you have open and honest.
I know how hard it is for everyone to tell you that you need to get a grip. Some times there is no way to grip a smooth surface. You just dig a groove into that surface until you can have a hand hold. It sounds like you are holding on for dear life. Good for you.
The baby, right now is fine. To ensure that they remain so call your OB. Tell them exactly the amount of meds you’ve used and see if they will check on baby to reassure you. Then talk to the doctor about how much medication you can use safely if you are totally over whelmed. A low dose that may take the edge of the mania must be better than loss of control.
Good luck to you both. I’m off to work but will check here later. I hope you have a little less fear by then.
Lynn
***Tracey…Xaxax is not addictive? Neither are cigarettes I bet.? That’s besides the point here, she’s asking if they will harm the baby. While one of the best drugs of its kind Xanax does need to used carefully if at all while pregnant. This short term use has not hurt her baby but she needs help to contol the mania so she will not use the xanax again.
Duty’s wife discribed how much fun trying to be med free and bi-polar can be. Finding a OB/GYN who understands the condition and its needs are crucial for the moms sanity and health during pregnancy.
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I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, manic depressive and I have panic attacks. I’ve been on a coctail of antidepressants and sedatives since I was 17 years old, that were prescribed by my doctor.
When I got preggers at age 23 with my daughter that obgyn took me off of all medications, I nearly went crazy, seriously. I kicked my husband’s ass a few times…lol! My blood pressure sky rocketed, which I think was a direct result of my mood and agitation. So when I got pregnant this time, I’m 26 now, I went to a new obgyn who suggested I remain on my medication and that would be better than coming off it all. I’m still taking wellbutrin but I did come off my Xanex, Ativan and sleep aids. I feel so much better this pregnancy, haven’t beat up the hubby yet…lol!
The Xanex likely won’t cause any harm since you only took it a few times, just don’t take anymore, it is classified as a category D, which is bad. I would strongly suggest asking your doctor for an alternative medicine, like Wellbutrin, it’s a category B. It will also help with postpartum depression, which bi-polar people are more likely to have than others. Anywhoo hope this helped a little and Good luck.
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Xanax is not addictive
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