QuestionWell 2 weeks ago I had my gallbladder removed i was not given a test to see if i was pregnant. Well 3 weeks latter here i am 4 weeks pregnant. i am very concerned cause i was under anes. and was given pain hydrocodine for a week, and valum for my anexia. i need to no what the % is that i might miss carry or the baby might have some kind of birth defects.. they went in a small spot on the bottom of my bellybutton, along with the middle of my stomeck. please let me no so that i can enjoy this and not have to worry?
AnswerDear Amanda,
Well, first - just to ease your mind - even if they had tested you before the surgery, it may or may not have come back positive. At that point, you would have been barely two weeks along.
Also, pregnancy dating is based on the last menstrual period, not conception. So - if you are 4 weeks pregnant now, your estimated conception date would have been around 7/28-7/30. (I'm estimating because I don't have an actual LMP date for you but that would be real close.) So, the medications would likely have been taken in the first 7-10 days - possibly before the embryo had even implanted into the uterine lining. This really is a much better scenario than if the meds had been taken later in the pregnancy.
Hydrocodone has been rated a Category C drug in pregnancy by the FDA. This means that:
Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
OR
No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Valium is a Category D drug. This means that:
Adequate well-controlled or observational studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus.
However, the benefits of therapy may outweigh the potential risk. For example, the drug may be acceptable if needed in a life-threatening situation or serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective.
With both medications, the longer it is taken and the higher the dose, the more risk there would be. It sounds like you took both of these for less than two weeks and they were more than likely ordered in a dosage just high enough to relieve your pain.
As long as your hCG levels are rising appropriately (doubling every 48-72 hours) and the ultrasound shows that the fetus has implanted appropriately onto the uterine lining, your risk of miscarriage is probably about the same as any other woman (15-20%).
You can address this with your OB doc when you have your first prenatal appointment, but here's the thing - worrying about this won't change what may or may not have already occurred. If all looks good with your initial ultrasound and your hCG and progesterone levels are good, try to relax and enjoy it as much as possible. Everything happens for a reason and the baby is already a little toughy to make it through a surgery before anyone knew he/she even existed! :-)
I hope this information has helped you and answered your questions. I wish you well.
Brenda
