Withdrawal Symptoms in Newborns and What Pregnant Women can do to Get Help Beforehand

If you are on drugs and get pregnant, you are faced with either having a newborn that is experiencing withdrawal or getting treatment while you are pregnant. Drug treatment while pregnant carries a very low risk of birth defects and withdrawal symptoms in newborns carries a very high risk.

Symptoms of Withdrawal in Newborns

Excessive or constant crying is a common withdrawal symptom in newborns.

The symptoms of withdrawal in newborns can be extremely dangerous. Many of these symptoms are easily mistaken for something else and only recognized when it is too late. According to Stanford University newborn withdrawal symptoms are:

Tremors
Sleeping issues
Unexplained rash
Breathing issues
Hyperactivity
Stress
Inability to stop moving or sleep
Stiffness in arm or legs
Crying excessively or constantly
High-pitched crying
Yawning
Stuffy nose
Sneezing
Failure to latch, poor feeding
Vomiting
Sweating
Dehydration
Fever
Seizures

These symptoms can vary wildly and usually start between 24 to 48 hours but can also start as much as 5 to 10 days later. Depending on the severity of your addiction and the overall health of the baby, these symptoms could be extremely dangerous.

Newborn withdrawal can be deadly and doctors recommend detoxing before you have your child. If you do not the withdrawal symptoms could be so severe that the baby dies. If you attempt to go through withdrawal on your own, you will most likely miscarry.

This is why most doctors recommend a medical detox. To find a treatment center that can help you, call 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) .

Treatment Options for Pregnant Mothers

The most popular treatment option for pregnant mothers is through medication assisted treatment. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, the rationale behind using medication assisted therapy for a pregnant mother is to:

Wean the mother off the illicit drug
Prevent newborn withdrawal
To avoid the adverse effects of illicit drug use such as HIV and other disease
To avoid the risks of criminal activity

Do Pregnant Women Have Better Outcomes with Methadone?

Methadone is a treatment option that has been used for pregnant women who are addicted to opioids and attempting to end their dangerous drug abuse. This treatment has often been thought of as much safer for both the mother and the child, but do pregnant women really have better outcomes with methadone? Methadone vs. Withdrawal ….

All of these are benefits of seeking treatment during pregnancy rather than attempting to do it after the baby is born. When you seek treatment after birth, you are faced with treating both the baby and yourself for drug addiction and withdrawal.

Pregnant women can get help by seeking help at a treatment center. During treatment they have access to:

Counseling – including drug addiction, parenting, and family counseling
Medication – medications such as methadone or even their drug of choice may be available for withdrawal prevention and tapering purposes
A safe environment – an environment without the risks associated with both drug addiction and pregnancy
Parenting classes – to help after the birth
Prenatal care – vitamins and other supports
Life skills training – to improve the mother’s overall situation
Family counseling – to help come to terms with family and friends hurt by addiction.

By seeking a qualified treatment center, a pregnant woman can get all of the help that she needs before the baby arrives.

Finding Treatment when you are Pregnant

Coping with the withdrawal symptoms in newborns is extremely difficult. Sometimes the better option is to get help before the baby is born. To get the help that you need, all you have to do is call 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) .