I have anxiety attacks and has breathing problems, my doctor put me on Clonazepam for a year and a half now. It's so helpful for me, I take it when needed. Could this be harmful on the baby while pregnant and after birth? Please help me. I can not stop the medicin now, it's in my system!
Pregnancy - Hi am on clonazepam medicine and am trying to get pregnant. Is this medicine hamful on?
Question posted by Israa?laith on 31 May 2012
Last updated on 19 November 2015
8 Answers
Jensessions
3 Nov 2015
I was searching, as I am in the same situation, and wondered if you ever conceived and how it went. As an FYI- clonzepam is now considered low risk. I went to a geneticist, OBGYN and PCP and the latest medical publications prove my statement. I hope all went well!
sangel1215
8 Aug 2014
I have suffered severe panic attacks my whole life, I tried therapy,I even went as far as hypnosis, after weeks of not sleeping, not bathing,then a sucide attempt I admitted myself into a hospital. After two days on clonazepam, I don't know why I suffered for years,I had a life I no longer had panic.I got pregnant two years later,I desperately wanted a big family,I tried to stop my medicine, I went into a full on what felt like a nervous breakdown.
I took the medicine at night when my panic was at its worse,not twice a day as I had been.My Son was born,full term and beautiful, they came to me and said he had a slight and it was very small cleft in his palette, I was a mess.I met with specialists who said it was nothing to worry about.My son was above average in school,his palette grew together by age 1.He just graduated high school,hes 6'3 smart,good looking a Sports phenom and just a well adjusted kid.He is going to College and has tons of friends, no drugs.He was a great baby,full of energy and so perfect.I never had anymore kids because I was afraid and I regret that.Any pregnancy comes with risks,and not to mention raising a teenager.Myself and my child would have died without the clonazepam, I would have definitely taken my life, the panic took away my life for years. I was able to raise my child with love and a normal MOM, you can't be a good mom if you can't get off the couch.I was afraid I was gonna have a child who would at some point have problems and I had a Son who is more normal and beautiful than many who have parents who don't need any medication
rcky327
1 June 2012
Israa, I am not a doctor, but I know a few friends that were in your situation. EVERYTHING that u ingest also goes 2 the fetus, women addicted to methadone ( or opiates ) are told by any Doctor to follow their strict guidelines ( JAMA Protocol ) and maintain the pt. on whatever dose of Clonazepam they presently are taking, NO decrease Or increase, just maintain.
After delivery the choice is yours, but I think u will have more on your mind than kickin pins right now. The fetus DOES not always come out addicted, all depends on your history, length of time on them, dosage, frequency etc.
My son who is 3 now did not come out addicted, even though me and his mom are on a low dose of methadone, Me 60mg. and her 70mg., along with 2 white pins per day, this was our life for 3 years.We were both so scared we considered an abortion,I pushed her 4 it so hard I felt guilty.
Untill all our prayers were answered and she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy 7 lb. boy.
Have faith Israa, no matter what your decision is you are doing the best 4 ALL!!!
May the Higher Power help you thru this confusing and conflicting time.
PLEASE NO INCREASE OR DECREASE.
rcky327
1 June 2012
Israa, I didn't tell you me and my girlfriend were taking 2 white pins a day, which is two (2) 2mg., at the same time as the "meth". Also go to this sites category, they can answere your questions, but also visit other reputable sites,
etc FDA, JAMA, Pharmacology but keep away from product sites that tout their Clonazepam as safer and the greatest thing since sliced bread. Sorry Israa, I know this is a long response, but it really hits home to me, Big Pharma has 2 go, you do not walk alone, Israa have faith and do your research
Inactive
2 June 2012
sorry... but the baby DOES come out with some degree of addiction!!
Israa?laith
2 June 2012
Thank you all for your responses... But how come half 1mg pill can harm my baby specially I am not taking the medicine on a daily basis, I take it when needed. Sometimes 1 pill every 2weeks. But it does for sure help me relax and breath normally. I also talked to nurses hotline, a nurse I talked with said no reports found about this medicine being risky but I wanted to make sure and ask more, specially whoever was pregnant and used to take the medicine. My dosage is very little and I don't take it every day, I think me taking it won't harm my baby.
Inactive
2 June 2012
ANY DRUG THAT YOU TAKE DURING YOUR PREGNANCY CAN BE HARMFUL TO YOUR BABY!! Instead of asking nurses on a hotline, you NEED to go to an OB Doctor with your questions and have him or her check you out and tell you the best thing to do for your unborn baby! I just know that it is not recommended to take ANY amount of drug or alcohol during pregnancy unless your OB tells you that it is ok! I am just trying to help you to have a healthy baby... I hope everything works out for you! good luck..:)
rcky327
2 June 2012
very helpful, thank you
rcky327
2 June 2012
Every doctor I talk to agrees with you, thanks so much, your great.Will definitely talk to you.
rcky327
2 June 2012
Will definitely take your advice, same as my ob/gyn.
Israa?laith
3 June 2012
The problem is am a refugee and my medical card do not cover any doctor's visit. I checked all around and NO doctor wants to see me before I get pregnant!!! How come I can see a doctor and have him/ her answer my questions if no one is willing to see me to help me before I get pregnant to get that healthy baby. Believe me I tried everything then I reached for nurses hotline cuz am desperate :-((
Inactive
4 June 2012
go to your local Department of social Services or your local Health Department... they will help you!!! I promise you that!!
Inactive
5 June 2012
You are very welcome rcky327!!
Israa?laith
8 Oct 2012
Hello everyone. Thanks for your support and answers, am writing for all of you today to let you know that am four months pregnant and that I was SO able to quit taking that VERY bad medication and am enjoying being healthy. Thanks again:-)
MaggieAll
31 July 2014
Go to website Dr.bob and other mothers will tell you about their experiences! But taking low mg PRN can be better for baby then fatigue loss of appetite panic attacks can be very hard of fetus... This are all things to be considered!!! Not saying yeah take the meds saying there is a lot to weigh about this before action is made... Best is no meds or caffeine but if having health issues and need meds the doctor will adjust so done right... Sometimes not taking meds if needed are harder on baby. A lot to be considered to be truthful but wish you the best of luck!!
MaggieAll
31 July 2014
Go to website Dr.bob and other mothers will tell you about their experiences! But taking low mg PRN can be better for baby then fatigue loss of appetite panic attacks can be very hard of fetus... This are all things to be considered!!! Not saying yeah take the meds saying there is a lot to weigh about this before action is made... Best is no meds or caffeine but if having health issues and need meds the doctor will adjust so done right... Sometimes not taking meds if needed are harder on baby. A lot to be considered to be truthful but wish you the best of luck!!
Inactive
1 June 2012
dear Israa, I am probably going to get clobbered for this, but with the kinds of intentions, I will risk it. Having a baby will not help anxiety, it will probably cause more. Please think about what I said. This is not to say you can't ever have one, please don't think that. If you really want a baby, try to work with a therapist, to improve the anxiety. They can teach you what to worry about and in what order. Talk therapy can help identify what is causing the anxiety and how to lessen or eliminate that trigger. I have gone to therapy and had the therapy work. I have or had, panic and anxiety disorder. The therapy did more long term for the problem than the benzos. Benzos do help, don't get me wrong, but with therapy, you increase your chances of getting off of them and staying calm and cool. Then think about having a baby. Patti
Inactive
2 June 2012
i AM NOT GOING TO CLOBBER YOU!! I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!! Just so you know!! :)
Inactive
2 June 2012
Thank you! As a mom myself, I know a baby, child or even adult child can create more anxiety, but by talking to someone, you can get those triggers identified and a plan to avoid the anxiety.
Inactive
2 June 2012
I agree with you totally... unfortunately, from some of the responses that I have seen on here today, ppl seem to think that it's ok to take drugs while pregnant because they don't take them every day or they don't take a large dose... and they do it without talking to an OB doctor! I have had 3 kids and I was told by my doctor each and every time to NEVER TAKE ANY DRUG ...
WEATHER IT'S A STREET DRUG, PRESCRIPTION, OR OVER THE COUNTER WITHOUT ASKING HIM FIRST!! Everything that goes into your body can pass through the placenta and can harm your baby! But for some reason ppl seem to think that hotline nurses and sites like this can take the place of a Doctor! I just don't get it!! I went through therapy for my panic and anxiety disorder and I no longer need meds to control it! and my panic attacks used to land me in the ER thinking that I was having a heart attack!!! there are ways to control it without the addictive drugs!! and I went off the drugs as soon as i even thought that I could be pregnant! THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO! I would rather have anxiety than risk having a baby who is effected by the meds I took... my baby's health is more important than my comfort!!!
balbanese
31 May 2012
Yes you can stop. Just stop with the aid of your physician who by the way should really not have you on this stuff while you are pregnant. There are classifications for drugs regarding their potential to complicate pregnancy, I believe D is the one to avoid and I believe this med is indeed D.
I do not know why you say you "cannot stop stop ... " Ax I said in the opening, yes you can stop. Time to think of this new life you've decided to bring into the world, sure would make sense to do everything in your power to ensure this new person has a healthy life, starting right now. Hope this helps.
analondon1
20 Nov 2015
yes you can stop!!! I had clonazepam for long periods dieing the last 11 years. the last time I took it for more than a year, I was taking 6mg (a lot). I tried 3 times to leave it but I couldn't! I had abstinence syndrome with horrible syntoms but I wanted so bad to have a baby and I made a choice, I decided to stop taking it, I did a detox plan with my GP and after I finished it I experienced a withrowal syndrome I had muscle pain, migraine, panic attacks, zeizures, shaking, and other syntoms. but they stopped after 15 days. I haven't take my medications for 4 months and I don't need it anymore not even antidepressants. now I am happy because I can sleep with our clonazepam and i canot get pregnant and I can to have a healthy baby. you can do it!!! I did it and it's possible.
LaurieShay
31 May 2012
Clonazepam belongs to Preganacy Category D which means that it is known to cause harm to the developing fetus. To read the warnings go to:
https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/clonazepam.html
I recommend you talk to your obstetrician before getting pregnant while on clonazepam.
Inactive
31 May 2012
DO NOT GET PREGNANT WHILE TAKING THIS MED!! Talk to your doctor , tell him/her that you wish to get pregnant and have them wean you off the drug! It is not safe to take ANYTHING while pregnant or breast feeding but if you have a baby while taking this drug he or she will be born addicted to it... good luck! :)
MaggieAll
31 July 2014
You are a very judgmental person. She wasn't asking for your beliefs she was asking for an educated response. Taking those meds alone are not going to cause birth effects. They can put you on low mg during your pregnancy to not have high risks to the unborn child. Also stress is one of the worse things on baby! Anyone that has had a anxiety attack knows it's something that defiantly is hard to deal with and STRESS and make anxiety attacks worse. Depending on your problem with anxiety your doctor can decide from there. Breathing in your noise and out your mouth and to stop what your doing and try to find a way to get relaxed. First thing of fighting anxiety is one once you can identify it well gets easier from there! When feel it come on relax take deep breaths and talk yourself threw it. Your not gonna die even though when have bad attack you really feel like gonna die so panic but that makes it worse.
Take deep breaths and tell yourself I'm ok and I just need to relax and if around someone that knows you well talk to them about it let them know I'm having an attack and they will most likely help you threw it and if you say I feel like I'm gonna die my chest hurts they will most likely say your not gonna die you are ok just breath and I won't let anything happen to you I'm right here that will put your mind at ease. The best thing is slooooow deep breaths after about 3 mins of deep breathing you heart rate will go Down and the attack will pass! But talk to your doctor about meds taking and will adjust or take away meds that could cause problem for u and unborn baby. But if meds r needed doctor will adjust meds so you and baby are safe! Best advice talk to your doctor about meds and pregnancy the doctor will help! No someone that is rude and judgemental! No useful info they gave just opinion which everyone has one lol but think you were looking for educated response!!! Good luck with your heathy and hope you have a beautiful and very healthy baby!!!
MaggieAll
31 July 2014
Also there are other meds they can put you on to help! Just talk to your doctor they will make the best adjustments to keep you both safe and healthy!!!
MaggieAll
31 July 2014
There is website called Dr.bob and there is a lot of women who took this medication while pregnant that will share their stories with you! So far all of them had healthy babies!!! There are side effects to any medication. But also a reason they give medication and sometimes the effects of not taking meds can be harder on baby but that is case by case bases... Good luck to all you new mommy's and get ur sleep now lol!!!
cazzdp
23 July 2015
i have been on clonazepam for 13 years. i have a 20year old and 17 year old. no i wasnt on the medication when i had them, but had been for 6 years when i gave birth to my 7 year old daughter. i was told by my GP that it would be ok to continue my treatment. i take them because i suffer from dystonia. when my daughter was born, my 3rd child, she did cry a lot for the first week due to withdrawal. she is 8 years old now and is healthy intelligent and thriving. only an ignorant person would recomend you to not take care of your health, which in effect reflects upon the health of your child. as a result of my medication i am here and more healthy for all of my children!!!
kaismama
31 May 2012
Here's a web site on it, it will explain it better then I can.
https://www.drugs.com/clonazepam.html
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, pregnancy, doctor, medicine, breathing
Further information
- Clonazepam uses and safety info
- Clonazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Clonazepam (detailed)
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