As the opiate epidemic continues to ravage the US, the number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) increases. NAS occurs when a pregnant woman takes opioid drugs during the pregnancy. The baby is born dependents on them, and withdrawal at such a young age can be deadly.
NAS begins a few days after the baby is born once withdrawal sets in. It can cause respiratory distress, fever, seizures, diarrhea, lack of appetites, and restlessness.
For pregnant women struggling with opiate addiction, it may feel like there aren’t any options. Opiate withdrawal can be harmful to an unborn baby, and even potentially result in premature labor, miscarriage, or fetal distress. That is why it’s not recommended for pregnant addicts to stop taking opioids.
Instead, doctors typically recommend taking suboxone. Suboxone has proven to be helpful not just in curbing opiate cravings, but also in decreasing the risk of opioid withdrawal in the fetus. NAS will still occur in babies whose mothers underwent Suboxone treatments. However, the symptoms are less severe and shorter.
So is Suboxone treatment safe during pregnancy?
Yes and No. It depends on the individuals’ situation and a doctor should evaluate the risk of both situations. Only take suboxone or another opiate addiction treatment if a doctor recommends it!