Pregnancy
Lortab during Pregnancy
Q: I have been perscribed Lortab for both headaches and back problems and I've been taking two pills a day for a little over a month. The other day when I went to the pharmacist to fill the perscription he told me I was hurting the baby and asked if I'd ever heard of crack babies! I need to know if I can continue to take this or if I'm putting/put my son in jeopardy. Please help me! I'm 28 weeks pregnant. Thank you.
A: Certainly a sustained dose of narcotics can lead to withdrawal in your baby after birth. That having been said, Lortab isn't a particulary heavy hitter in this arena. But if I were your doctor I would try to figure out another plan for the chronic pain, or at least a drug you can alternate with, since exposure could last another 10-14 weeks. This may pose a difficult task, though. Physical therapy can sometimes alleviate back problems that could allow you to ditch the narcotics. Re: the headaches, a neurologist can evaluate you to see what kind you have and that could help guide your OB into what medicines to recommend.
Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo is a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist who has been in private practice since 1981
and has served as Chief of the
Medical Staff at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in greater New Orleans. Dr. DiLeo's new book The
Anxious Parents' Guide to Pregnancy is now available.
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