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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
You should avoid oxycodone during pregnancy. Oxycodone is an opioid that crosses the placenta and causes serious complications, including birth defects, preterm labor, and neonatal withdrawal syndrome in newborns.
A 2017 study shows that oxycodone use during the first trimester raises the risk of heart defects and neural tube defects in babies. Even brief exposure can cause respiratory depression in newborns and developmental challenges later in childhood.
Our oxycodone-specific drug rehab services help women and men overcome oxycodone dependency through medically supervised treatment programs. Our comprehensive approach addresses the addiction and underlying pain management needs.
Contact our opioid rehabilitation program today to start your journey toward recovery.
Oxycodone is a powerful prescription opioid that treats moderate to severe acute pain and chronic pain conditions. The Food and Drug Administration classifies it as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and addiction. This semi-synthetic opioid analgesic binds to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signals while creating euphoric effects.
Despite its risks, pregnant women may use oxycodone for:
The stress and physical changes of pregnancy can trigger the misuse of opioids, creating complex problems for mother and baby.
Oxycodone crosses the placenta and accumulates in fetal tissues, where it disrupts development throughout pregnancy. When it attaches to receptors in the baby’s developing brain and nervous system, oxycodone interferes with growth processes.
According to a CDC systematic review of 68 studies, taking oxycodone during your first trimester raises the risk of birth defects, especially heart problems and spinal cord defects. This early pregnancy period is when your baby’s organs form, so they are particularly vulnerable to opioid medications.
The review also shows that opioid exposure during pregnancy causes babies to weigh less at birth, about 200–300 grams below normal. Growth problems worsen when mothers continue using oxycodone throughout pregnancy, particularly during the final three months when the baby’s brain develops rapidly.
Babies exposed to oxycodone during pregnancy can develop neonatal withdrawal symptoms. A 2023 study found that 8.8% of babies with third-trimester oxycodone exposure developed neonatal abstinence syndrome, while other studies report rates that go up to 29.5%.
These newborns may experience tremors, excessive crying, feeding difficulties, and breathing problems. Symptoms typically begin within three days after birth and can persist for weeks.
Your baby’s developing brain is especially vulnerable to opioid exposure. A 2015 research review found that chronic opioid exposure during pregnancy can lead to cognitive and behavioral problems in infants and preschool-aged children. Studies show impairments in cognitive development, motor skills, and behavioral outcomes.
A 2020 animal study found that oxycodone exposure altered brain genes involved in synaptic function and led to anxiety-like behaviors and social problems that persisted across generations.
These studies are just a portion of the potential risks. The most important step is addressing oxycodone dependence before it impacts your family. At Ardu, we help individuals overcome oxycodone and other substance use disorders (SUDs) through evidence-based treatment and personalized care.
Pregnant women on oxycodone face serious health complications beyond normal opioid addiction risks. A 2021 study looked at over 9,800 pregnant women and found that the most serious effects of oxycodone use on expectant mothers are:
Many women who take oxycodone when pregnant find themselves needing higher doses as their bodies build tolerance, which can lead to addiction. The drug can also slow down your breathing, especially when mixed with other medications during labor, putting both of you at risk.
If you try to stop taking oxycodone, withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous for you and your baby. Our specialized detox program helps you safely withdraw from oxycodone while protecting your health and your baby’s development.
Learn more about our oxycodone detox services and how we can help you start fresh. Reach out to Ardu today.
Opioid use during early pregnancy may cause a miscarriage. Studies reveal higher pregnancy loss rates in women using opioids during the first trimester than in unexposed pregnancies. Giovannini, et. al. found that “opioid abuse exposes the fetus to multiple episodes of intoxication and withdrawal,” potentially leading to intrauterine fetal death.
Oxycodone activates opioid receptors throughout your reproductive system, which disrupts placental development and cuts off fetal blood flow. The drug also disrupts embryo implantation. Giovannini, et. al. also show that opioids “increase the risk of placental abruption” and cause “chronic placental insufficiency.”
The drug disrupts reproductive hormones, damaging egg quality and early embryo development. While first-trimester oxycodone exposure doesn’t increase birth defects, a 2023 study found that second-trimester use doubled mortality rates compared to unexposed pregnancies.
Women who use opioids typically struggle with poor nutrition and skip prenatal care appointments, and many use additional substances that compound pregnancy risks. The most dangerous period occurs during the 6–12 day implantation window when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall. Second-trimester exposure multiplies the risk of very preterm birth by five, creating life-threatening situations for newborns.
We address these complex challenges through medically supervised care and help women break free from opioid dependence while protecting their health and their baby’s future.
Breastfeeding while taking oxycodone isn’t recommended. The drug passes into breast milk at concentrations three times higher than what’s in your blood, which means your baby gets a concentrated dose every time they nurse.
A 2024 Finnish study found that oxycodone appears in every breast milk sample tested, with the highest concentrations occurring within the first 24 hours after taking the medication. The drug stays detectable in breast milk for up to 40 hours after your last dose. In most cases, babies receive less than 10% of the maternal dose through nursing, but some infants can be more sensitive than others.
A Canadian study found that 20% of breastfed babies whose mothers used oxycodone showed signs of drowsiness and feeding difficulties.
Your doctor will likely suggest safer pain relief options first that will have the least effect on your baby.
Most prescription opioids are unsafe during pregnancy. Some pain management options pose fewer dangers to your developing baby. These include:
If you’re dealing with severe pain that requires opioid therapy, your doctor may choose short-term, low-dose alternatives under close supervision.
Breaking free from oxycodone dependence requires comprehensive treatment. At Ardu Recovery Center, we help women and men overcome opioid use disorder through evidence-based programs tailored to their needs.
Our medically supervised detoxification program includes:
Following detox, our comprehensive treatment programs feature:
Our team understands the relationship between opioid addiction and pregnancy. We collaborate with healthcare providers to create safe, effective treatment plans that prioritize recovery and maternal health.
Don’t let oxycodone addiction control your life or threaten your family. Contact Ardu Recovery Center today to start your journey toward lasting recovery.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Avoid codeine during early pregnancy. Like oxycodone, codeine crosses the placenta and can cause congenital anomalies, congenital heart defects, and affect fetal growth. Early pregnancy is when your baby’s organs form, making them most vulnerable to opioids.
Your doctor can recommend safer options, like acetaminophen or physical therapy. If you’re taking codeine and discover you’re pregnant, contact your healthcare provider immediately for risk assessment.
Never mix oxycodone with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressants. These combinations increase opioid overdose risk and perinatal mortality. Avoid muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs unless your doctor approves. During pregnancy, these drug interactions can cause respiratory depression and maternal toxicity, affecting you and your baby’s neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Always tell your healthcare provider about all opioid medications and supplements you’re taking.
Oxycodone is about 1.5 times stronger than morphine when taken orally. Both are powerful opioids that bind to receptors in your brain and affect fetal development. During pregnancy, both pose risks, including congenital heart defects, fetal growth restriction, and neonatal withdrawal.
Oxycodone causes drowsiness and sedation by affecting your central nervous system and blood-brain barrier. This sleepiness increases fall risk during pregnancy and indicates the drug is crossing the placenta at levels that could cause fetal effects.
If you experience significant drowsiness, contact your doctor immediately. They may need to adjust your opioid treatment program or find safer pain management alternatives to prevent maternal and infant health complications.
Oxycodone can interfere with fertility by disrupting the reproductive hormones that impact ovulation and egg quality. It may affect your menstrual cycle and interfere with implantation when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. Maternal drug use can also impact fetal-placental development and cause feeding problems later. If you’re trying to conceive, discuss alternatives with your doctor.
Lind JN, Interrante JD, Ailes EC, Gilboa SM, Khan S, Frey MT, Dawson AL, Honein MA, Dowling NF, Razzaghi H, Creanga AA, Broussard CS. Maternal Use of Opioids During Pregnancy and Congenital Malformations: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics. 2017 Jun;139(6):e20164131. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-4131. PMID: 28562278; PMCID: PMC5561453.
Erin Kelty, Mishka Terplan, Carol Orr, David B. Preen, Neonatal Outcomes Associated With in Utero Exposure to Oxycodone, Overall and by Trimester of Exposure: A Retrospective Cohort Study, The Journal of Pain, Volume 24, Issue 4, 2023, Pages 617-626, ISSN 1526-5900,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2022.11.007.
Yazdy MM, Desai RJ, Brogly SB. Prescription Opioids in Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: A Review of the Literature. J Pediatr Genet. 2015 Apr 1;4(2):56-70. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1556740. PMID: 26998394; PMCID: PMC4795985.
Odegaard, K.E., Schaal, V.L., Clark, A.R. et al. Characterization of the intergenerational impact of in utero and postnatal oxycodone exposure. Transl Psychiatry 10, 329 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-01012-z
Wen X, Wang S, Lewkowitz AK, Ward KE, Brousseau EC, Meador KJ. Maternal Complications and Prescription Opioid Exposure During Pregnancy: Using Marginal Structural Models. Drug Saf. 2021 Dec;44(12):1297-1309. doi: 10.1007/s40264-021-01115-6. Epub 2021 Oct 5. PMID: 34609720; PMCID: PMC8830421.
Giovannini, E.; Bonasoni, M.P.; Pascali, J.P.; Bini, C.; Pelletti, G.; Gualandi, A.; Dal Lago, G.; Mercati, A.; Mariotti, B.; Pasini, G.P.; et al. Fetal and Infant Effects of Maternal Opioid Use during Pregnancy: A Literature Review including Clinical, Toxicological, Pharmacogenomic, and Epigenetic Aspects for Forensic Evaluation. Children 2024, 11, 278. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11030278
Erin Kelty, Mishka Terplan, Carol Orr, David B. Preen, Neonatal Outcomes Associated With in Utero Exposure to Oxycodone, Overall and by Trimester of Exposure: A Retrospective Cohort Study, The Journal of Pain, Volume 24, Issue 4, 2023, Pages 617-626, ISSN 1526-5900,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2022.11.007.
Pesonen A, Hakomäki H, Kokki H, Ranta VP, Rinne V, Kokki M. Breast milk oxycodone concentrations in mothers given oxycodone for post-Caesarean delivery pain management. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2024 Apr;90(4):1183-1192. doi: 10.1111/bcp.16008. Epub 2024 Feb 2. PMID: 38308454.
Hendrickson, R. G., & McKeown, N. J. (2011). Is maternal opioid use hazardous to breast-fed infants? Clinical Toxicology, 50(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3109/15563650.2011.635147
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