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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Drug Use During Pregnancy

117 replies

catcolb4 · 22/06/2021 03:14

I will be 37 weeks on Wednesday, June 23rd. I did not find out I was having this baby until I was 15 weeks pregnant. During those 15 weeks, I smoked marijuana almost daily and did cocaine on the weekends. After I found out I was having a baby, I continued to smoke about 3 days a week - primarily for appetite and discomfort - up until about week 28. Since week 28, I've smoked a handful of times. I haven't smoked since around week 32. I did cocaine a few times during the 2nd trimester. I felt terrible about it every time I did. I've done it twice during the 3rd trimester. Once around week 32 (talking like a bump or two - nothing excessive) and I stupidly did it again a couple days ago (again, one or two bumps). I feel like a horrible human being. My drug exposure before pregnancy and during those first 15 weeks were me just being young and "having fun". I know I'm not a drug addict. Addicts feel the need for daily use. I'm not a bad person. I live alone, I pay my rent and my bills on time. I only just went on leave from work today with 23 days til my due date. I have a good work ethic. I'm not a drug addict. My concern is that those times of drug use, specifically the 4 times or so smoking and the two times I've done a little bit of cocaine in this last trimester will show up on the babys drug screening and my very first child will be taken away from me. Am I overthinking? Is that small amount of cocaine even enough to show up in the babys meconium? I'm more so worried about the cocaine over the marijuana, obviously. I've read so many articles and they all say something different. I realize habitual use would show up. But is doing it twice in 10 weeks (assuming the baby doesn't come until at least 38+ weeks) enough for it to show up in the baby's testing? Please, no judgment. I've made mistakes. And I hate that I've made recent ones. But I'm a good person and I want my baby and, frankly, I'm freaking out.

OP posts:
MyMabel · 22/06/2021 03:30

Sorry I can’t be sympathetic but you say your aren’t a drug addict.. then what on earth possessed you to continue to take drugs while knowingly carrying your baby? That is just bonkers. You are a drug addict if you can’t go without coke and/or weed for 9 months to protect your unborn child.

Please for the love of god, if you think you’re going to be continuing to do coke for the foreseeable future consider firstly speaking to someone to help, or reporting yourself to social services. You’ve already put your unborn child in danger.. and now your essentially asking if you’re unborn baby will pass a drugs test.

I can imagine that’s not really what you wanted to hear, but you can’t help yourself if everyone starts dabbing your tears and telling you it’s ok. It’s not ok.

Please get help. IMO, if you continue the coke after baby is born you shouldn’t be allowed to care for your child. Because you can’t care for a child while high on coke. (Weed is debatable, I wouldn’t do that either but the coke is a big concern)

Marty13 · 22/06/2021 03:32

Hey. Something that really jumped to me is how you said "I am not a drug addict" several times, as if trying to convince yourself. That's exactly what an addict would say. You mentioned that you felt terrible after using drugs - but still did it. Addiction isn't about using drugs everyday, it's about being able to say no when you need to. It sounds like you really may be an addict (albeit functional at work) and you might want to work on that.

About your question... I am no expert, I guess it'll depend on when the child is born. Drugs stay longer in a baby's body than an adult's but I wouldn't expect it to show over a week after exposure took place.

But please seek help for your drug use. You should also know that cocaïne is not recommanded while breast feeding (if that's your intent) as it crosses through the milk and could harm the baby.

Aquamarine1029 · 22/06/2021 03:35

You took drugs knowing you are pregnant, so what's stopping you after your baby is born. Drug use and properly caring for a baby are not compatible. I have grave concerns for your child, honestly.

Anordinarymum · 22/06/2021 03:44

You need help OP because you are putting your own needs before those of your unborn child and you know it is wrong.

BastardMonkfish · 22/06/2021 03:45

Do they routinely screen newborns for drugs in UK hospitals? I didn't know this. It is what it is OP. You don't seem to be concerned about your baby being born suffering withdrawal from the drugs you've been taking, which is worrying. You should tell the midwife what you've been doing before your baby is born so that they can be cared for properly at birth.

JustineTimee · 22/06/2021 03:51

This leaves me speechless. How is wrecking your body and mind 'fun'? And then you're not actually worried about your baby's health - just about whether you will get in trouble?

I think you need more serious help. Please condide in your midwife upfront and seek proper help and therapy for the sake of your child

Greenbks · 22/06/2021 05:17

You are a drug addict. If you weren’t you’d be able to go 9 months for the health of your child without drugs. It’s that or Otherwise you are an extremely selfish person.

You need to do the right thing for this innocent baby and talk to someone. I don’t know if the baby will have withdrawals- I don’t know enough about that but if there’s a chance they will then you need to start putting this baby first.

This isn’t me being mean but I can’t see how you’re a fit mother and can be trusted to take care of this child with drugs in your system.

1boo1 · 22/06/2021 05:17

Sounds like you're more bothered about being caught out than the effects it could have on your baby..

Shelddd · 22/06/2021 05:28

You're almost due so at this point just make sure you don't use for the rest of your pregnancy, it's just a couple weeks now. There isn't much you can do about what you've already done so far at this point.

No cocaine, no weed, no alcohol, no other drugs.

Personally I think you need to tell your midwife as already mentioned as they may need to take certain precautions and either you or your baby could be at increased risk if you don't inform them.

Queenie6655 · 22/06/2021 05:31

This is just really sad

Poor child

Why have you not told your midwife ??

Thatsmydaughterinthewater · 22/06/2021 05:33

Using cocaine during pregnancy is very unhealthy and harmful for the baby. So you have two explanations for your drug use:

  1. You don’t care about your baby or how the drugs impact their development; or
  2. You have a problem with drugs and you seek help. You are honest with healthcare workers so they can give your baby the appropriate care to mitigate the damage your drug use has caused.
sunnypeaches · 22/06/2021 05:44

I ised to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. You know wht i did when i got pregnant? I three them out and never smoked again.
How can you say youre not an addict when you couldnt go without for the health of your baby. Theres literally no better reason to say no.
You are definitely addicted and you need help. For the sake of you and your baby i hope that it does show up on the test and you get the help and support you need!

bishbashbosh99 · 22/06/2021 06:01

Yes, you're an addict. I used to do a lot of stuff before I was pregnant. Smoke, drink a lot and casual drug use at parties etc but most weekends. I stopped immediately as I found out I was pregnant and have never touched anything since. So yeah, if you couldn't do that for your unborn child then you're an addict, and a selfish one! Some of us have had losses and find it hard to have sympathy for people like you I'm afraid. I hope you and your baby are ok tho

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/06/2021 06:04

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MGee123 · 22/06/2021 06:50

I'm not sure if this is real or not, as I can't think why you would put it on a forum. However, what's done is done so there is no point beating yourself up about it now. What is extremely important is that you get help immediately for your drug problem. You are an addict and you need to work to accept and treat your addiction if you want any hope of raising your child successfully. Please speak with your midwife today, be honest and accept the help that is offered. The only person you are damaging by not doing so is your baby.

Garman · 22/06/2021 07:23

So you're concerned that they might take your child away, not that you might have done any harm to your baby while it was developing?

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 22/06/2021 07:30

@1boo1

Sounds like you're more bothered about being caught out than the effects it could have on your baby..
That's what stuck out to me.

You ARE an addict. Anyone who wasn't an addiction wouldn't have taken drugs again after they found out they were pregnant. You have, several times.

romdowa · 22/06/2021 07:32

You have a drug problem if you can't abstain from drugs. Not every addict has to use every day just to be addicted.

ivgotbills · 22/06/2021 07:42

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thecognoscenti · 22/06/2021 07:42

A drug addict doesn't have to use daily, they just can't stop doing it even when there's a lot at stake, like the health of their baby. You are an addict OP, and you need help to stop using. You can't undo what you've done to date but I would urge you to seek help to quit now.

nimbuscloud · 22/06/2021 07:43

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Fitforforty · 22/06/2021 07:49

You choose to smoke to reduce your appetite despite knowing you were pregnant. You are so addicted to drugs that you took them in second trimester and you didn’t even know you were pregnant for the first trimester. You couldn’t stop taking drugs for 6 months of your life. You’re an addict.

Your midwife will know that you spoke. Non smokers always know/can smell a smoker. They will be able to tell from the state of the placenta that you smokes during pregnancy.

You need to tell your midwife as your baby may need additional monitoring in the womb and support post birth.

GettingAlong · 22/06/2021 08:59

I really, really hope this is a sick wind up but, if not, I echo where people have said tell someone now. That poor baby could be born into a world of unknown pain due to withdrawal and you are harming them more and more with every bump. And you're only worried about if it's in a tox screen and not if your baby will be in agony.

Unfortunately, you must take the risk that the baby may be taken - for their own good. Social services won't separate you lightly, only if it's in the best interest of the baby. And that's what should matter right now.

rbetty · 22/06/2021 09:21

Sorry no sympathy at all.
I've had a really difficult pregnancy and I've done everything right.
It's people like you that will consistently think of themselves rather than their child and think it's ok. It's not ok. To knowingly take drugs when you have a innocent child inside you just makes you scum.
There's no excuse.
I fear for when your child is born.
I hope you come clean to your midwife so at least your baby will have the care it needs when it's born.

Kona84 · 22/06/2021 09:24

I hope they do check and it shows up so the baby gets the care it needs.
And you get support that you clearly need, I think you are in denial.

www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-are-effects-maternal-cocaine-use

Cocaine use during pregnancy is associated with maternal migraines and seizures, premature membrane rupture, and separation of the placental lining from the uterus prior to delivery.25 Pregnancy is accompanied by normal cardiovascular changes, and cocaine use exacerbates these—sometimes leading to serious problems with high blood pressure (hypertensive crises), spontaneous miscarriage, preterm labor, and difficult delivery.26 Cocaine-using pregnant women must receive appropriate medical and psychological care—including addiction treatment—to reduce these risks.

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