Substance Misuse in Pregnancy - NHS Lothian
Substance Misuse in Pregnancy - NHS Lothian
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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