Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Thekormachameleon · 22/06/2021 17:52

If you can't leave drugs alone for 9 months when you are pregnant then you must be an addict because I can't for the life of me u sweat and why or how you could do this otherwise

Assuming you aren't an addict (as you say) then why is your babies life and health not enough reason for you to not take drugs?

I'm sorry but you don't deserve to be pregnant and I feel sorry for the child you are carrying

Branleuse · 22/06/2021 17:55

Wow. I think youre really minimising the issue. Cocaine can cause heart defects in the foetus.
Do you have ADHD? I struggle to understand why you would just recreationally use this in pregnancy, especially since you say you arent an addict. That means you just chose to for fun.

I was an actual speed addict but stopped as soon as i found out i was pregnant

AJB3001 · 22/06/2021 17:58

I hope your selfishness has no negative impact on your babies health.
You want to tell yourself you aren't an addict that's find but if you can't prioritise the health of a human you created and chose to keep over a "bump" of coke you are and its disgusting.
Tell your midwives so your baby can be cared for properly after birth incase the drugs have a negative effect on babies development. What kind of upbringing is this poor kid going to have if its mum can't help herself from taking coke now she's pregnant. What a disgrace

HarrisMcCoo · 22/06/2021 18:56

@stressbandit

There are obvious signs in new born babies when the mother has taken cocaine. My "Aunt" took cocaine on weekends throughout her pregnancy her son was born with a misshapen skull you can google pics of this, and they tested his urine in his nappy with litmus paper and it came out positive. Really disgusting to do this and Id be wondering how you are going to cope with being a parent if growing an actual baby inside of you hasn't stopped you doing it.
My son had a misshapen skull too, but I wasn't on recreational drugs only a very well known prescribed one (levothyroxine - it's a very common drug). No one can prove there is a link though, this is the problem.
BunnyRuddington · 22/06/2021 19:01

It struck me that you said several times that you're not an addict, almost as if you're trying to convince yourself.

You can't change what you've done already but I think you need support moving forward. Your baby will need a brain scan shortly after birth.

Having a new baby is tough and I think you are best asking your MW for support now. If you are tempted by stress, sleep deprivation or boredom to take drugs, you won't be providing anywhere near the level of care your baby will need.

Please be honest with yourself and your MW and get the support you need @catcolb4.

BunnyRuddington · 22/06/2021 19:17

Do you have ADHD? that's nut and excuse surely? Hmm

ItsMeantToBe · 22/06/2021 19:18

OP, you know that feeling you get when you're going through withdrawal and you really want drugs? That's how your baby will feel when they're born. As pp's have said you need to tell your midwife so they can provide the necessary care to your baby, they might need further testing. They will probably be able to tell anyway by the placenta and the appearance of the baby (yellow, long limbs). The risk of SIDS is considerably increased. You will be reported to Safeguarding but if your seen to be taking the necessary steps then you've got more chance of keeping your baby. If you can't stop taking drugs when you're pregnant, when will you?

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 22/06/2021 19:20

You are an addict. You couldn’t stop it when you knew you should. That’s addiction. Please seek help. Immediately

Branleuse · 22/06/2021 19:24

@BunnyRuddington

Do you have ADHD? that's nut and excuse surely? Hmm
No not at all. Stimulant misuse and impulse control are huge markers of undiagnosed or untreated adult adhd
Mousetown · 22/06/2021 19:24

Your baby deserves better.

I highly doubt you will stop taking drugs after the birth. How do you intend to look after the child when you knowingly choose to endanger him/her before they are even born?

I sincerely hope social services get involved.

Please tell your midwife.

Morgan12 · 22/06/2021 19:29

You are an addict.

You will take drugs whilst caring for a newborn baby who is reliant upon you for everything.

This isn't recreational usage. This is addiction and so dangerous for that poor wee baby.

If having a child inside you doesn't make you say no to a bump then you have a serious problem.

Please tell your midwife. I don't think you should be allowed to keep the baby.

feb2022 · 22/06/2021 19:32

OMG I HAVE NO WORDS!

chickenyhead · 22/06/2021 19:38
Shock

ShockShockShock

FlatteredFool · 22/06/2021 19:44

Poor wee bairn.

mamamalt · 22/06/2021 19:45

This is just so so sad. That poor baby. I wish I hadn't opened this thread at all, now I'm going to be worrying about your poor baby stuck with a selfish parent.
Get some help. Tell your midwife and face the consequences of your actions, like your baby has had to if it has impacted their health.

CandyLeBonBon · 22/06/2021 19:46

Ok then Confused

firstimemamma · 22/06/2021 19:51

There isn't one thing in your op that directly says you are worried about the health or welfare of the baby. It's all just about how you're "not a drug addict" and your main worry is that drugs will show up in tests and that the baby could be taken away from you. Says it all really.

PurpleFlower1983 · 22/06/2021 20:34

Your poor child. Sad

NeverMetANiceOne · 22/06/2021 20:55

This is so awful, that poor baby. Please seek help OP

nocoolnamesleft · 22/06/2021 21:00

There are drug addicts who keep their children. They are the ones who ask for help, and engage with services, and try to do the best by their babies. Then there are the drug addicts who don't keep their children. Some because they lie to services, who aren't daft, and can see the bay going through withdrawal. Some because they keep prioritising drugs over their children's welfare. And some, most tragically, because parents taking drugs increase the likelihood of stillbirth.

I beg you, be open. Ask for help. Engage with it fully and honestly. And prioritise your child over drugs. You may have already affected your child's development by taking drugs, but you don't have to fuck over their whole future. Get help now. Reach out.

stressbandit · 22/06/2021 21:29

@HarrisMcCoo Sorry to hear that. It's really common in babies when the mother has taken cocaine. He's 7 now and has a wide variety of issues he only recently was removed from her care Shock. Should of been taken at birth from her she never ever stopped.

wildeverose · 22/06/2021 21:43

No way op will come back here.
I just hope she's had a severe wake up call and realises how abhorrent this is.

PotteringAlong · 22/06/2021 21:48

If you won’t stop when you’re pregnant, how often are you planning on taking cocaine when they’re here? Sad

jemimafuddleduck · 22/06/2021 21:53

@catcolb4 you're an absolute scumbag. You don't deserve to have a baby, you're too selfish.

GingerBeverage · 22/06/2021 22:04

Tomorrow, first thing, you call the GP or midwives. You tell them everything. No excuses, no minimising.

Right now, you delete your dealer/s off everything: phone, facebook, block on whatsapp. All of it.

Then you sit down and make a list of everyone around you also taking drugs (the father?) and you tell them to leave you out of it until the birth.

Do you have a parent who cares about you, or a family member who doesn't use? Tell them the truth. Tell them you want what's best for the baby and you need their help.

You need help.