The maryland chapter of the american congress of obstetricians and gynecologists is committed to increasing the available information and tools regarding the problem of substance use in pregnancy in order for our members to continue to provide excellent care for their patients and families. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. This study provides information on substance use among pregnant adolescents, and examines social influence, intrapersonal, and environmental factors associated with substance use during pregnancy. Substances can include alcohol and other drugs illegal or not as well as some.
Several state governments responded to this increase by prosecuting and incarcerating pregnant. Substance use disorders sud may mask an underlying, untreated mood disorder despite current attention to opioid use during pregnancy, alcohol remains the most commonly used substance in. According to a national survey conducted in the united states in 2012, 5. State policies related to substance use in pregnancy rand. May, 2016 adverse effects of substance use in pregnancy. Healthy pregnancy healthy baby fact sheets this series of four fact sheets emphasizes the importance of continuing a mothers treatment for opioid use disorder oud throughout pregnancy. Substance use while pregnant and breastfeeding research shows that use of tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs by pregnant women can have severe health consequences for infants. Prenatal substance use is a critical public health concern that is linked with several harmful maternal and fetal consequences. It is not uncommon for the pregnant client and even family members to minimize a substance use problem when it exists. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2015. Substance use during pregnancy can be risky to the womans health and that of her children in both the short and long term. Use of some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure in the mother. Substancerelated disorders prevention and control 2.
The maryland chapter of the american congress of obstetricians and gynecologists is committed to increasing the available information. The use of the legal system to address perinatal alcohol and substance abuse is inappropriate. A substance use history should include questions regarding. Center for b h s q data spotlight substance abuse and. Alcohol increases risk for miscarriage, birth defects and other problems, and it is the sole cause of the range of physical, developmental and cognitive problems known as fetal alcohol spectrum. It is important to note that not all women who use substances during pregnancy have a substance use disorder, and evidence does not support the widely held assumption that all substance use during pregnancy carries a risk of adverse health outcomes in infants. Alcohol and other substance use during pregnancy can lead to serious longlasting consequences for women and infants including miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders fasd, and. This guide assists providers in offering treatment to women living with substance use disorders. The policy wheels show the evolution from 2000 to 2015 of state policy environments related to substance use in pregnancy. Although the aerosol of ecigarettes generally has fewer harmful substances than cigarette smoke, ecigarettes and other products containing nicotine are not safe to use during. Use of alcohol, illicit drugs and other psychoactive substances during. Since the late 1980s, policymakers have debated the question of how society should deal with the problem of womens substance use during pregnancy. Harm reduction and pregnancy centre of excellence for.
Everything you eat and drink while you are pregnant affects your baby. While the risks of substance use during pregnancy are often known among providers, few women of childbearing age receive substance use screening. The impact of substances on pregnancy and child outcomes. Risk factors associated with initiation of substance use and the development of substance use disorders among women 18 patterns and prevalence of substance use among women 26 prevalence of substance abuse and dependence among women 30 chapter 3physiological effects of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco on women 37. If you drink alcohol, it can hurt your babys growth. Within 4 weeks of enrollment at childs age of 12 months screening questions to ask. Substance abuse and mental health services administration. Treatment of pregnant women with opioid use disorders. Substance use disorder and pregnancy alcohol and other substance use during pregnancy can lead to serious longlasting consequences for women and infants including miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders fasd, and neonatal abstinence syndrome nas. State legislation on substance use during pregnancy. Tip 51 substance abuse treatment addressing the specific. Substance use in pregnancy is a common and important issue in. Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant women and developing babies and can damage a developing babys brain and lungs. The quality of evidence iiii and classification of recommendations al are defined at the end of the major recommendations.
Alcohol increases risk for miscarriage, birth defects and other problems, and it is the sole cause of the range of physical, developmental and cognitive problems known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders fasd, which can affect up to 5 percent of all pregnancies. It describes common treatment issues, assessment of marijuana use, motivational interventions, and how to change marijuana use through skill building. Latest evidence on alcohol and pregnancy nursing for women. Women with substance use disorders also frequently experience inadequate prenatal care, poor nutrition, chronic medical. Substance use during pregnancy and plans of safe care. Public policy statement on substance use, misuse, and use disorders during and following pregnancy, with an emphasis on opioids. Substance abuse treatment programs integrated with prenatal care have proved to be effective in reducing maternal and fetal pregnancy complications and costs 14. To receive funds under capta, states must meet numerous requirements, including intra and interagency collaborations of multidisciplinary teams for a. Marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation, committee opinion no.
Use of alcohol, illicit drugs and other psychoactive substances during pregnancy can lead to multiple health and social problems for both mother and child, including miscarriage, stillbirth, low birthweight, prematurity, physical malformations and neurological damage. It is important for doctors, nurses, and midwives to discuss the risks of substance use with all pregnant women. More research needs to be done on how marijuana use during pregnancy could impact the health and development of infants, given changing policies about access to marijuana, significant increases in the number of pregnant women seeking substance use disorder treatment for marijuana use, and confounding effects of polysubstance use. Substance use during pregnancy and plans of safe care posc. Pdf pregnancy is a special physiological condition where drug treatment presents a special concern because the physiology of pregnancy affects the. Public policy statement on substance use, misuse, and use. Substance use during pregnancy varies by race and ethnicity when pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, they incur an increased risk for experiencing health problems themselves. Risk factors for problematic substance use in pregnancy include past alcohol, nicotine or illicit drug use, unintended. This critical issue demands a public health approach grounded in. Many women report drinking early in pregnancy, often before they know theyre pregnant. Abuse can result because you are using a substance in a way that is not intended or recommended, or because you. Pregnancy and substance abuse article pdf available in archives of women s mental health 22. Prosecutors have attempted to rely on a host of criminal laws already on the books to attack prenatal substance use.
The supreme courts in alabama and south carolina have upheld convictions ruling. Items and scoring for the substance use risk profile pregnancy items in the month before you knew you were pregnant, how many beers, how much wine, or how much liquor did you drink. As opioid use during pregnancy increased, so did complications from their use, including neonatal abstinence syndrome. Mar 12, 2018 the impact of substances on pregnancy and child outcomes. Within 4 weeks of enrollment 36 weeks gestational enrolled after pregnancy. Substance use during pregnancy varies by race and ethnicity when pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, they incur an increased risk for experiencing health problems themselves and poor birth outcomes for their infants. Opioid use in pregnancy is increasingly common, with an associated increase in infants exposed to opioids. Substance use and early identification the main theme of this section is the early identification of substance use in pregnant women, which can often be a difficult topic to approach during pregnancy. Substances can include alcohol and other drugs illegal or not as well as some substances that are not drugs at all. Pregnancy and drug use smoking while pregnant medlineplus. Pregnant women with drug and alcohol use issues do not always engage easily with mainstream health care. Classify the number of alcoholic drinks before pregnancy as none compared. Women with substance use disorders sud have high rates of unmet reproductive health needs.
Substance use while pregnant and breastfeeding national. Substance use and addiction during pregnancy 1 during pregnancy, the issues associated with alcohol are best stated as follows. As opioid use during pregnancy increased, so did complications from their use. Smoking during and after pregnancy also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome sids. Furthermore, substance use in pregnancy may also result in an early dysfunctional maternalinfant. It is important to note that not all women who use substances during pregnancy have a substance use disorder, and evidence does not support the widely held assumption that all substance use during. Clear, accurate data on maternal and fetal effects of substance use during pregnancy can be difficult to acquire because of ethical guidelines. The screening tools included in appendix b can be printed or copied for use with patients. A substance use screening should include questions regarding. Effects of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use on pregnancy and birth outcomes 48 effects of. The impact of antenatal substance use on these outcomes needs to be considered within a challenging and complex context. Perinatal substance use task force 3 the use of opioids during pregnancy has grown rapidly in the past decade.
The most frequently used substance in pregnancy is tobacco, followed by alcohol, cannabis and other illicit substances. Substance use during pregnancy guttmacher institute. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of health problems for developing babies, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects of the mouth and lip. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with. Risk factors for problematic substance use in pregnancy include past alcohol, nicotine or illicit drug use, unintended pregnancy, lower level of education, unemployment, younger age, comorbid physical and mental health problems, childhood trauma, environmental stress, intimate partner violence, easy access to substances, and lack of. Working group on problematic substance use in pregnancy.
Guidelines for the identification and management of substance use. A collaborative approach to the treatment of pregnant women with opioid use disorders pdf icon pdf 1. Have you ever felt that you needed to cut down on your drug or alcohol use. For example, parental mental illness can place adolescents at increased risk. Substance use in pregnancy is associated with negative pregnancy and child health outcomes. Latest evidence on alcohol and pregnancy nursing for. In contrast to punitive measures, a public health approach to substance use emphasizes harm reduction and treatment. Guidelines for identification and management of substance. Your baby may have physical and behavioral problems that can last for the. Implications for pediatricians, mothers, and infants. Guidelines for the identification and management of substance use and substance use disorders in pregnancy. Guidelines for supporting collaborative policy and practice. Miechvsubstance use risk profile2014 miechv substance use risk profile pregnancy scale form when to screen check one. Women who dont plan on pregnancy may be using alcohol or other substances during the early months of pregnancy without realizing they are pregnant.
A collaborative approach to the treatment of pregnant. Substance use in pregnancy unintended pregnancies grant et al. Women who dont plan on pregnancy may be using alcohol or other substances during the early months of pregnancy. United states, 201120 centers for disease control and prevention. Guidelines for the identification and management of. Psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders in pregnancy. More research needs to be done on how marijuana use during pregnancy could impact the health and development of infants, given changing policies about access to marijuana, significant increases. Women with substance use disorders also frequently experience inadequate prenatal care, poor nutrition, chronic medical problems, poverty, and domestic violence73,74. Substance use in pregnancy substance use during pregnancy is correlated with pregnancy complications and negative health outcomes for women and their children especially for legal. Guidelines for identification and management of substance use. Most drugs, including opioids and stimulants, could potentially harm an unborn baby. Heavy alcohol use in pregnancy has been associated with a range of negative birth outcomes, including increased risks of miscarriage 19, stillbirth and infant mortality 20, 21, congenital anomalies 22, low birthweight 23, reduced gestational age 24, preterm delivery 25, and smallforgestational age 22, 26, 27.
Heavy alcohol use in pregnancy has been associated with a range of negative birth outcomes, including increased risks of. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders fasds. Whereas 50% of pregnancies in the united states are unplanned defined as a woman not attempting pregnancy at the time of conception, the rate may be as high as 80% among women with sud. Alcohol use and binge drinking among women of childbearing age. The practice guideline for the treatment of patients with substance use disorders, 2nd edition, consists of three parts a, b, and c and many sections, not all of which will be equally useful for all readers. Alcohol in the mothers blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. Only 17 of pregnant women have talked to their doctors about alcohol use, yet nine percent report using alcohol and three percent report binge drinking more than three drinks at one setting. The impact of antenatal substance use on these outcomes needs to be considered within. Substance use in pregnancy substance use during pregnancy is correlated with pregnancy complications and negative health outcomes for women and their children especially for legal substances tobacco and alcohol there is much stigma of admitting to substance use during pregnancy as well as legitimate fear of legal. Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for moodaltering purposes. Identification of substancerelated disorders in pregnancy. Addressing the behavioral health needs of pregnant women.
May 01, 2020 since the late 1980s, policymakers have debated the question of how society should deal with the problem of womens substance use during pregnancy. The facts approximately 11% of pregnant women in the u. Opioid use and opioid use disorder in pregnancy external icon. The majority of women stop risky behaviors and substance use as soon as they learn they are pregnant. The quality of evidence reported in these guidelines has been adapted from. Although the aerosol of ecigarettes generally has fewer harmful substances than cigarette smoke, ecigarettes and other products containing nicotine are not safe to use during pregnancy. Substance use in pregnancy guidelines for the management of substance use and substance use disorders in pregnancy. It recognizes that, while substance use may have negative consequences, 1 for simplicity, we use pregnant women throughout this paper to refer to those who are, or are biologically capable of becoming, pregnant. Guidelines for the management of substance use and substance use disorders in pregnancy. National clinical guidelines for the management of drug use during.