mixed messages from obs, labor, & xanax

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
mixed messages from obs, labor, & xanax
9
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 1:27pm

hi ladies...


well, i went to my ob apt this morning...there are 8 ob's in my doc's practice...so all of them are "my" doctors...


well, a few weeks ago i saw an ob who i explained to about my severe anxiety and depression and he perscribed me xanax...he said that that i could take it in emergency situtations and when i go into labor as all the baby's organs are formed and all it would do would sedate the baby like it would do to me...


well...since then i've seen 4 other doctors and i asked them all....its okay if i take xanax in an emergency or when i go into labor, and all of them said...only in an emergency


today, i saw another doc and i asked her if could take it when i go into labor to help relax me and she said, "no, we don't know how it will effect the baby or his heart rate"

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2004
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 2:38pm
{{{Heather}}}}
        
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 3:15pm

I would listen to the perinatologist. That seems to be your best bet.

Oh, hang in there...I know you are freaking out...I use that phrase all the time.

I would take the xanax if you need it during labor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 6:08pm

I am sorry, Heather. I am certain you feel frustrated. Other than getting all these doctors & experts into one room & confronting them, what options do you have?

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 6:11pm

Heather, it sounds like you're mind is made up, so why are you stressing over it?

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-10-2005
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 8:14pm

heather,


have they given you any other options? is there anything else they can give you during labor to call you down? I know when I had my daughter I had a major panic attack (but she was a c-section) and the nurse said something like "we gotta get her calmed down, give it to her."

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-2005
Thu, 12-07-2006 - 8:33am

I was in the same situation Heather. Take the xanax. Stressed out mom = stressed out baby. It's ok to take if you need it. (I was taking it 3-4 times per day at my worst state.sometimes I would take 2-3 at a time to help me sleep!)- so seriously, it will just sedate the little guy.....and it won't interfere with any labor meds.....you need it to get through this difficult time. And honestly, I hate to say this (I can see all the nurses cringing at me) but bring some into the hospital with you in your overnight bag. I couldn't get a dr. to prescribe them to me while I was there for the hospital stay. They would only give me Ambien to help me sleep which worked, but it didn't help my anxiety. So I called my counselor from the hospital and she's a nurse practitioner as well. She told me to have my DH bring them in and he did. And I felt better.

So try it. It's ok. You are getting closer darlin...you are almost there. I'm here if you need me.

Stace

Stacey

Loving Mom to Brendan (10), Samma (6), Delaney Kate (3) and Natalie "MiMi" (2)

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Thu, 12-07-2006 - 9:35am

(((Heather)))

I agree go with the high risk specialist. He would definitely know what he was talking about. Besides 7/8 docs agreeing is pretty convincing too. Hang in there...can't wait to see pics of your beautiful baby!

Smiles,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 12-07-2006 - 11:28am

This is very distressing to read, Stacey. Patients are always encouraged NOT to bring their own meds from home & certainly NOT to take them while in the hospital. No professional who was worth their weight would ever suggest such a thing. In fact, that is grounds to have their license revoked.


By taking meds of any kind, that the medical staff is unaware of, places the patient @ great risk. There is always the possibility of drug interactions. Even fatal reactions. Not to mention the fact, that if Heather should decide to nurse the baby, it potentially places the baby @ risk. It surprises me that you would suggest such a thing as a nursing student.


When we reply to posts in this community we attempt to be supportive in some way. Suggesting dangerous practices or suggesting that people break the law is counterproductive. jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-2005
Thu, 12-07-2006 - 12:05pm

i'm not trying to be counterproductive Jan nor would I ever put anyone I know in danger. What is very distressing to me is that anyone would want someone to be in full blown panic while in labor. That in itself is not advisable from any physician or nurse as well. Can you imagine the position a patient would be in at that point? I'm stating what I did from my experience. My opinion is just that. My opinion. People can take it or leave it for what its worth.

I can understand your point, but coming from a medical professional WITH panic disorder, I know how hesitant physicians who do not know you are about giving you meds while you are in the hospital. I never lied to anyone at the hospital. If they asked me what I took, I told them. No harm done.

I think it's very unfair that pregnant women are made to suffer. If you don't have to suffer, you shouldn't. But again, that's my two cents.

And while I understand that patients are not advised to bring these meds with them to the hospital, it is very disturbing that when you get in there and you tell the dr.s what you take, they decide not to give it to you even if it was prescribed. That, is not fair.

Sorry if I rubbed anyone the wrong way. I will refrain from using my personal experiences such as this in the future. Sorry Heather if you are confused by all this. All I can tell you is that you have to do what you think is right for you.

Stacey

Loving Mom to Brendan (10), Samma (6), Delaney Kate (3) and Natalie "MiMi" (2)