Women, Pregnancy & Children
Resources & Facilities
The following facilities provide addiction treatment for pregnant women.
Massachusetts DPH Journey Project
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has launched the Journey Project, an interactive web-based resource for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders. The site, featuring informational slideshows, video testimonials and links to resources, is designed to increase access to treatment and provide support, guidance, and encouragement to women in recovery.
HOPE Clinic (MGH)
The HOPE Clinic (Harnessing support for Opioid and substance use disorders in Pregnancy and Early childhood) at Massachusetts General Hospital and MassGeneral Hospital for Children provides comprehensive care for pregnant women with substance use disorder, their partners and their infants from conception through early childhood.
Baby Cafe, Lynn Community Health Center
Every Thursday
10:30 am - 12:00 noon
Lynn Community Health Center
Hayes Conference Room
Lower Level of 269 Union Street, Lynn
Phone: 781-596-6511
Website
Spectrum Health Systems Inc
154 Oak St, Westborough MA 01581
Phone: 508-898-1570
Website
SSTAR
386 Stanley St, Fall River MA 02720
Phone: 508-324-7763
Website
CASPAR New Day
242 Highland Ave, Somerville MA 02143
Phone: 617-628-8188
Website
Steppingstone, Inc.
979 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
508-984-1880
Website
High Point Treatment Center
108 North Front St, New Bedford MA 02740
Phone: 774-628-1000
Website
IHR - Central Intake
349 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (866) 705-2807 Fax: (617) 661-7277
www.healthrecovery.org
Phoenix House Dorchester Center
90 Cushing Avenue 3 North Dorchester, Massachusetts 02125
Phone: (844) 211-6255
www.phoenixhouse.org/
Entre Familia Program - Family Residential Services
211 River Street E Building, Boston, MA 02126
Phone: (617) 534-7968
www.bphc.org
Orchard Street -Community Health Link - Family Residential Services
17 Orchard Street, Leominster, MA 02139
Phone: (978) 537-3109
www.healthrecovery.org
Sage House - Family Residential Services
517 Winter Street Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: (508) 626-2586
www.smoc.org
H.A.R.T. House - Family Residential Services
365 East Street - Bldg. IV P.O. Box 477 Tewksbury, MA 01876-0477
Phone: (978) 777-2121 (978) 234-4214
Angel House - Family Residential Services
309 South Street Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: (508) 775-8045 www.haconcapecod.org
Grace House -Family Residential Services
143 West Street Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 586-8213
www.chd.org
MORE INFORMATION
What are the unique needs of pregnant women with substance use disorders?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
Using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco during pregnancy exposes not just the woman but also her developing fetus to the substance and can have potentially deleterious and even long-term effects on exposed children. Smoking during pregnancy can increase risk of stillbirth, infant mortality, sudden infant death syndrome, preterm birth, respiratory problems, slowed fetal growth, and low birth weight. Drinking during pregnancy can lead to the child developing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, characterized by low birth weight and enduring cognitive and behavioral problems.
Prenatal use of some drugs, including opioids, may cause a withdrawal syndrome in newborns called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Babies with NAS are at greater risk of seizures, respiratory problems, feeding difficulties, low birth weight, and even death.
Research has established the value of evidence-based treatments for pregnant women (and their babies), including medications. For example, although no medications have been FDA-approved to treat opioid dependence in pregnant women, methadone maintenance combined with prenatal care and a comprehensive drug treatment program can improve many of the detrimental outcomes associated with untreated heroin abuse. However, newborns exposed to methadone during pregnancy still require treatment for withdrawal symptoms. Recently, another medication option for opioid dependence, buprenorphine, has been shown to produce fewer NAS symptoms in babies than methadone, resulting in shorter infant hospital stays. In general, it is important to closely monitor women who are trying to quit drug use during pregnancy and to provide treatment as needed.
Drugabuse.com adds:
Note: Follow the links in the article below for more in-depth information on each topic.
Using drugs or drinking alcohol while pregnant can create a number of health issues for both mother and child. An increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage serve as two of the more stark examples of the potential outcomes faced by pregnant women already struggling with debilitating substance abuse.
Despite the negative consequences, many continue to use substances regardless. In fact, almost 10% of pregnant women in the U.S. reported drinking alcohol from 2012-2013,2 and, though much of it is done to manage other health conditions, it’s increasingly more common for women to continue using medications while carrying a child. We’ve seen a 60% increase (in 30 years) in the number of women taking prescription medications during the first trimester and it’s currently reported that 9 out of 10 pregnant women take at least one medication.
Using drugs or drinking alcohol while pregnant can create a number of health issues for both mother and child. An increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage serve as two of the more stark examples of the potential outcomes faced by pregnant women already struggling with debilitating substance abuse.1
Despite the negative consequences, many continue to use substances regardless. In fact, almost 10% of pregnant women in the U.S. reported drinking alcohol from 2012-2013,2 and, though much of it is done to manage other health conditions, it’s increasingly more common for women to continue using medications while carrying a child.3 We’ve seen a 60% increase (in 30 years) in the number of women taking prescription medications during the first trimester and it’s currently reported that 9 out of 10 pregnant women take at least one medication.3
An increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage serve as two of the more stark examples of the potential outcomes faced by pregnant women already struggling with debilitating substance abuse.
Effects of Taking Drugs While Pregnant
Alcohol
Even a small amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can place an unborn baby at risk, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of miscarriage and may result in a number of development issues in your child like fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)—the most severe example on the spectrum of fetal alcohol disorders.4 All fetal alcohol spectrum disorders involve negative consequences affecting the physical, mental, and behavioral health of your child— effects that can last a lifetime.4
Though there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, many pregnant women consume at least some alcohol during this time, believing that a small number of drinks will be safe. In fact, half a million children are exposed to alcohol in utero each year.1
Cigarettes
Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that can damage a developing baby’s brain and can limit the amount of oxygen being received by the fetus. Also, the impact of nicotine on a developing baby is greater than the impact on the mother. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nicotine concentration is up to 15% higher in the baby’s blood than the mother’s.5
Exposing your unborn baby to the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke can also result in a number of health issues after birth, including respiratory issues, cerebral palsy, and problems with eyesight and hearing.
Sadly, not smoking yourself does not entirely guarantee your child’s safety. Even being around others that smoke can affect your child, resulting in a lower birth weight, increased likelihood of developing a respiratory illness, and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).4
Cocaine
Tracking the negative effects of cocaine use during pregnancy is a difficult task, mostly because women that abuse cocaine will often have poor nutrition and inadequate prenatal care. Cocaine users also tend to use the drug in combination with other substances like alcohol, making it hard to determine precisely which substance is responsible for the harmful effects on the fetus.5
It is known that cocaine exaggerates the normal cardiovascular changes you experience during pregnancy.5Women consuming the drug are risking the development of severe hypertension, seizures, migraines, and separation of the placenta from the uterus, which puts a mother’s ability to carry her baby to term in jeopardy.5
Your child may also be at increased risk of seizures, increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden death.
Heroin
If you use heroin while pregnant, you increase the chance of bleeding, especially during your third trimester, as well as preeclampsia (severe high blood pressure).1 You’re also putting your developing fetus at risk of a premature birth, dangerously low birth weight, and death. Using an illicit drug like heroin also significantly increases your baby’s risk of developing neonatal abstinence syndrome shortly after birth as well as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also referred to as crib death.
Your baby is also likely to experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after birth if continually exposed to heroin in-utero.1 NAS is a postnatal withdrawal syndrome that impacts the infant with effects including irritability, excessive crying, breathing problems, gastrointestinal problems, and feeding issues.1 NAS requires intensive medical attention.5
Marijuana
Contrary to popular belief, marijuana can be harmful and should be avoided when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding.1,5 While there is limited evidence on how marijuana use can affect a developing fetus, several studies suggest that its use may be associated with impaired fetal development, rare forms of cancer, premature birth, and low body weight at birth.
Marijuana use during pregnancy may be linked to problems such as inattention, impaired decision-making skills, and poor academic performance.1
MDMA (Ecstasy)
Studies suggest that fetal MDMA exposure during the first trimester can lead to long-term memory problems and impaired learning, as well as movement and coordination problems in the child.5 There have also been cases where babies exposed to MDMA while in utero developed cardiovascular anomalies and musculoskeletal problems.
Meth
It has been reported that exposing a fetus to meth can result in several long-term health issues, including issues with cognitive skills, physical dexterity, and behavior. Mental health problems including increased depression, anxiety, and social isolation have been reported in children exposed to meth in the womb.5 Some studies also suggest that meth use during pregnancy may be associated with congenital abnormalities, such as gastroschisis—a structural defect that can result in a baby being born with their intestines outside of the abdominal wall.
Pregnant women using meth are at risk of high blood pressure, placental abruption, and premature delivery.5
Painkillers
Painkiller use during pregnancy, even if these medications were prescribed by your doctor before conception, can be harmful to your developing fetus. Opioid painkiller exposure to a fetus may be linked to excessive fluid in your baby’s brain, abdominal wall defects, glaucoma, and congenital heart defects.
Since many painkillers are chemically similar to heroin, the mother and child can experience many of the same risks. Children may be born with NAS, experiencing painful withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Alcohol Abuse and Pregnancy
From dualdiagnosis.com:
The placenta that connects a mother with her gestating baby is remarkably permeable, meaning that almost everything a woman puts into her body moves directly into the body of the fetus.
As a result, most doctors warn their patients to limit their exposure to any kind of dangerous substance, including alcohol. Even so, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control suggests that one in 13 pregnant women drinks alcohol, and nearly one in five pregnant women admit to having four or more drinks during a two-hour time span.
It can be hard for medical professionals to understand why women might feel so comfortable with drinking during pregnancy, as the risks and outcomes have been so widely publicized. Unfortunately, it’s also remarkably common for women to see articles like this one from Slate that seem to suggest that drinking during pregnancy is not dangerous at all. In some cases, women might be reading these alternate articles and choosing to follow advice that seems more positive to them. In other cases, however, women might continue to drink simply because they have an addictive attachment to alcohol, and as a result, they may not be able to modulate their behavior at all.
It can be difficult for referring professionals to deal with these issues, particularly during routine checkup appointments that might last for 30 minutes or less, but learning more about the specific hazards women and their babies face during each trimester might make the conversations a little easier to start.
Table of Contents:
In The News
In 2016, NPR's Morning Edition aired an episode titled "Pregnant And Addicted: The Tough Road To Family Health."
You can listen to the episode below:
According to a 2017 Washington Post article, "Nineteen states have either created or funded drug treatment programs for pregnant women; 24 states and the District of Columbia consider drug use during pregnancy to be child abuse under civil child-welfare statutes, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research and advocacy organization."
And a 2015 article in The Atlantic lays out how some states could jail women for using during pregnancy.
