Unexpectedly Pregnant and Concerned About Medications
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
This is hard to say but I was prescribed pills before I knew I was pregnant and might have been abusing them because I thought my tolerance was up. I was prescribed Xanax and Somas.
I just found out I was pregnant. I don't know how far along because I have not been tracking my period but I know the last period I had for sure had was the end of January.
I'm freaking out before my first appointment, wondering if the baby is okay.
Is there anyway to detect that? I worry about this non stop now after reading online.
ANSWER
Xanax is Pregnancy Category D (positive evidence of fetal risk) and Soma Compound is Pregnancy Category C (risks need to be weighed against the benefits). You will need to be closely followed to see if your baby is ok.
Meanwhile, are you getting some help with your abuse issues? It is the very best thing you can do both for this baby and for any future children. I don't want you ever worried like this again.
-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
