Looking for those parenting kids exposed to Crystal Meth...

inutero willing to share their stories. I also posted this on the Special Needs forum but there aren't many posting there right now. You can PM if you feel better doing that. We have been asked to consider a situation where expecting Mom has used for most of her pregnancy although has not used for several weeks. She is due sometime in the next month. My biggest concern is the "newness" of the drug, not much known about it. Other factors of interest might be that there is no prenatal care to date. Thanks for any help you might be able to give... just trying to make an informed decision.

I did a search on google and found a few pages you might be interested in: [url="http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docID=527061"]http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docID=527061[/url] [url="http://www.nacac.org/adoptalk_articles/meth.html"]http://www.nacac.org/adoptalk_articles/meth.html[/url] [url="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52735"]http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52735[/url] [url="http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meth/a/blut050729.htm"]http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meth/a/blut050729.htm[/url]

Thanks so much!

Hi!We are foster parents and got a 3 day old baby who had tested positive for meth. He was beautiful!! He wasn't fussy, ate well, appeared normal in every way. We had him for 2 months and then he went to a family who was interested in adopting him. We have 3 boys and are trying to adopt a girl. At the visits to the Dr. they said he was developmentally just fine in every area, but problems may not show up until he is in grade school. I have just heard from the social worker he is happy and thriving and getting adopted!! His mom lost all 3 of her kids because of meth. I did quite abit of research on meth and would take another child and/or adopt one. Hope this helps! March

Thanks March... your experience is helpful although I have to say the research is frightening to me. SO little is known about longterm effects of this very potent drug. I know nothing is certain... it is so tough to make these decisions...sigh...

Both my boys were meth babies. The best meth site I've found for further information is [url]http://www.kci.org/meth_info/Crank_Babies/[/url]. PLEASE check it out. I will PM you for additional information. MJ

I will PM you. Our sons birth mother shot up meth ( I didn't know you could do that) every day of her pregnancy, even on the way to the hospital. He does have some residual effects, but I would adopt another baby in his same condition.

With my son it wasn't meth but cocaine. He tested positive at birth. He is doing GREAT. He is a very loving, happy healthy baby. Yes I have heard he may show up with some problems in grade school and such, but we can deal with that if that time comes. The way I see it is my bio children could have had learning disablities and such even though I never did any drugs (smoke, drink ect) in my pregnancy or before. I know that a lot of children do have long term effects from drug use but a lot turn out just fine.Good luck to you

Thanks all! Your stories have been so helpful. Talked to the SW this AM. Babe was born yesterday, a month early. She is getting more info for us as she was on her way to the hospital after our phone call. Everything sounds positive so far, but we're really hands off right now. There are other potential families so we'll see... Thanks so much...I'll keep you posted...

I am not parenting but I am an attorney for two foster kids who were taken into care because mom was a meth addict. She confirmed that she did use heavily during pregnancy. The boy is 12. He is brilliant smart (really). I would love to have him as my child. He does seem to have adhd but even without medication he succeeds. He has noticible trouble staying on task. The girl graduated early form high school and is above average smart. She is massively goal oriented. Neither one seems to complete tasks without specific directions that are written down. I would consider both of them to be the top of the pile for their age groups. Socially and academically. Hope that helps. Jen

Oh, I thought of one other thing to add.... Meth is highly addicive, so whoever told you pbm hadn't been using lately is most likely mistaken. Once you start meth you don't just stop because you feel like it. I see many meth addicts at my job and they said they were hooked after one try and a 30 day rehab doesn't even come close to helping kick it. I see that the mom has had the baby a month early. The newborn that we fostered was also born a month early. My oldest son (biological) has several special needs and I didn't drink or smoke or due drugs (not even tylenol) when I was pregnant. Good luck to you! March Mom to 3 biological sonsfoster mom to 10 month old baby girlhoping to adopt sweet baby girl due 3-8-06adoptee