Unless there is any contraindication, women who took methadone maintenance throughout pregnancy and are stable should be encouraged to nurse; nursing moms will require continued assistance during this period. However, because of possible adverse effects on the fetus, pregnant women should never take more than 2 mg of methadone at a time. Methadone maintenance therapy is used to treat opioid addiction. The drug can also be used to manage pain or prevent withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting heroin or other opioids. Women who are addicted to drugs including heroin and who are trying to get pregnant should not use methadone because it could harm their baby. Not only does methadone appear in the milk, but it could also be absorbed by the stomach acid-fueled fetus. Exposure to methadone in utero is known to cause serious problems such as tremors, excessive crying, and slow physical development. Additionally, infants born to mothers who use methadone during pregnancy may experience tremors, irritability, sleep disorders, weight loss, blue coloration of the skin, and feeding difficulties. Mothers who use methadone should not breastfeed their babies because of the risk that the baby will also be exposed to the drug. Women who are interested in becoming pregnant while using methadone should discuss their options with their doctor.