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Substance Misuse in Pregnancy - NHS Lothian

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• F<strong>in</strong>ancial problems (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g debts, f<strong>in</strong>es and problems with welfare<br />

benefits)<br />

• Hous<strong>in</strong>g problems (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g homelessness, <strong>in</strong>secure or unsuitable<br />

hous<strong>in</strong>g)<br />

Maternal health problems<br />

Inject<strong>in</strong>g drug use and harmful levels of dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g are associated with poor<br />

maternal health. This may <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />

• Malnutrition and anaemia<br />

• Respiratory problems<br />

• Poor dental hygiene<br />

• Blood borne virus <strong>in</strong>fections (HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C)<br />

• Complications from <strong>in</strong>ject<strong>in</strong>g (such as abscesses, endocarditis,<br />

septicaemia etc)<br />

• Liver disease<br />

• Accidental <strong>in</strong>jury<br />

• Overdose and maternal death<br />

• Mental health problems (such as anxiety, depression, self harm,<br />

psychosis)<br />

Chaotic lifestyle<br />

Drug and alcohol related problems are commonly associated with a chaotic<br />

lifestyle and may result <strong>in</strong> the woman receiv<strong>in</strong>g poor maternity care. For<br />

example:<br />

• Late pregnancy book<strong>in</strong>g<br />

• Poor attendance for antenatal care<br />

• Not register<strong>in</strong>g with a general practitioner<br />

• Poor attendance for parenthood education<br />

• Late presentation dur<strong>in</strong>g labour<br />

• Early discharge home after delivery<br />

Obstetric and paediatric problems<br />

Drug use (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g alcohol and tobacco) impacts on obstetric and<br />

paediatric morbidity and mortality. Increased rates of low birth weight,<br />

pre-term delivery, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or ‘cot death’)<br />

and Neonatal Abst<strong>in</strong>ence Syndrome <strong>in</strong> babies are the most commonly<br />

reported problems. The effects of specific substances on the develop<strong>in</strong>g<br />

fetus and baby are outl<strong>in</strong>ed later <strong>in</strong> the pack (see page 35).<br />

<strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Misuse</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Pregnancy</strong><br />

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