Ambien during pregnancy?!

My OB had given me Ambien for sleep while we were TTC and she told me that Ambien is also safe to take during all stages of pregnancy for insomnia, restless leg syndrome, etc.

I'm 7 weeks PG and do still take Ambien almost nightly as per my OB's "ok" - but it just doesn't feel right (to my unborn child) - know what I mean?

Anyone else heard of Ambien being OK or have taken it during pregnancy? I'd love to hear your story.

TIA,
Cathie

I was given it one night while pregnant in the hospital and promptly hallucinated. That is one weird sleeping pill. Even though there are drugs that are considered "safer" than other drugs by comparison it is really one of those things that if you don't have to take you should try not too. Anything chemical has the potential to be harmful, even caffeine which was not easy to give up and I never really did with pregnancy.

It is just my opinion but anything that went wrong with my pregnancies I blamed myself, even small things. If I only did this or didn't do this. If there is any chance at all that it crosses the placenta I wouldn't take it.

I appreciate your reply (and honesty w/o judgement). I have tried alternative products such as Benadryl, Melatonin and Kava Kava (not while PG) but they have an adverse affect on me. I see my OB on the 30th and will def. discuss this with her.
Thanks.

I was told by my PCP that the moment I find out I'm pregant (If it happens) to IMMEDIATELY stop the Ambien. I can't remember what she called it but that it is unsafe.

I would recommend double checking.
Just my 2 cents worth (and I just saw my PCP a week and a half ago..)

She did however mention taking Zyrtec (for its sleepy effect) in place of the Ambien if I did get pregnant and needed help sleeping.

Good luck  :-)
-Jessica

Thanks Jessica! My OB/GYN is the one who prescribes it to me but I will definitely TRIPLE check!

Wow Cathie, there is so much information out there.  I personally would try not to take any medication during pregnancy.  How about a more holistic approach?  I've done a search, picked up serveral articles and cut and pasted.  There is a direct link to the manufactures questions.  I'd feel horrible putting my fetus to sleep inside of me.  That doesn't seem fair .  But only you know you and what you are dealing with and so you must do the best you can to take care of you.

All the Best,
Leila

 Can Ambien be administered if pregnant? Use of AMBIEN during pregnancy is not recommended and should be considered only if your physician determines it is needed. Sleep medicines may cause sedation of the unborn baby when used during the last weeks of pregnancy.

 What's Known about Ambien and Pregnancy 

The drug hasn't been studied in pregnant women.

Studies on pregnant animals have shown birth defects or other problems, or no animal studies have been done.

The medicine should be used in pregnant women only if the benefits justify the risks.

A medical case report, appearing in the journal Pharmacotherapy in early 2007, found traces of Ambien in a newborn baby's umbilical cord blood, suggesting that Ambien can cross the placenta. If this is true, it means that the drug can reach the unborn baby.

 Zolpidem Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Overview

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zolpidem Extended-Release Tablets while you are pregnant. Zolpidem Extended-Release Tablets may cause prolonged sleep in the fetus when used during the last weeks of

pregnancy. Zolpidem Extended-Release Tablets are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Zolpidem Extended-Release Tablets, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Zolpidem Pregnancy Warnings

According to one case report, zolpidem apparently crosses the placenta. In this report, a sample of cord blood at delivery revealed zolpidem (41 ng/mL) after an unknown amount was ingested by the

 

mother for an unknown duration, possibly throughout pregnancy. The neonate did not exhibit withdrawal symptoms throughout the 48 hour observation period.Zolpidem has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of incomplete ossification and increased postimplantation fetal loss at doses greater than seven times the maximum recommended human dose or higher; however, teratogenicity was not observed at any dose level. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. In one case report, zolpidem was found in cord blood at delivery. Zolpidem is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

Zolpidem Breastfeeding Warnings

Zolpidem is excreted into human milk in very small amounts. Adverse effects in nursing infants have not been reported. Zolpidem is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the Americ

Thanks.

Wow I did a ton of research on this - this is what I found out. It's class B, some sites have it listed as C - but it has recently been catagorized a B after more studies. No medication is safe during pregnancy. When taking medication and when a Dr prescribes medication you/they have to take risk vs reward. If your health and baby's health is better if you take the meds - take it if it's in a safer catagory.
I read post after post, blog after blog, asked Dr after Dr and found every which answer... but the vast majority concluded that it was okay and didn't harm the baby. When I was in the hosp 8 months preg last year they kept offering it to me for sleep!
I decided to take it, and I took it my first trimester, I had restless leg so bad due to my lack of iron and until my 5 iron infusions I wasn't able to sleep and I was going mad. My baby is perfect thus far.
Personally I think Ambien isn't a great drug because it messes up my mind, I get headaches and I forget things after a while - but I'd rather forget that be driven mad. I stopped after the infusions and was okay.

I should add that I am WAY against drugs during pregnancy and delivery - it's my personal choice. But I can't function and be a good mom, wife, and human w/o sleep.

I am in your boat. I do take ambien and have during my last 3 pregnancies. My childrend are prefectly normal - in fact they think that Bailey is pretty advanced for her age. I would rather take the ambien then turn into a total anxiety ridden freak  on to my faimly.