It happens more often than many of us want to believe. Women who become pregnant while suffering from drug addiction, face the hardships of trying to quit or else possibly lose custody of their child. Dr. Kenosha Gleaton, a board-certified OB/GYN and founder of The EpiCentre, located in West Ashley, has found that many pregnant women feel a newfound reason to quit drug abuse. She admitted that there are some pregnant women, however, who do not feel that same urge. We sat down with Dr. Gleaton to discuss the issue of prenatal drug abuse and what effects both mom and baby can suffer from both during pregnancy and after delivery.
HL: What are the risks to the fetus when the mother is addicted to drugs? What are the long-term effects?
Dr. Gleaton: The immediate risks to the fetus of an addicted mom include preterm birth, birth defects and neonatal withdrawal syndrome, also known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Long-term effects that may not be readily apparent include developmental and cognitive delays because of improper brain development and behavioral or emotional issues due to an impaired nervous system. Environmental and genetic factors also contribute to developmental delays in these infants. Although all drug-exposed infants will not have these disorders, it is well-known that prenatal drug exposure can have lasting consequences for the child’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. It is imperative that women feel safe to speak up regarding drug use and that providers have a strategic plan to connect pregnant patients to local and statewide resources.
HL: What about the harmful effects on the mother?
Dr. Gleaton: Here is a comprehensive listing of some of the harmful effects of drug abuse on pregnant women:
- Although not unique to just pregnant women, there is, of course, an increased risk of maternal mortality due to overdose, suicide and other medical complications related to drug use.
- Pregnant women may have an increased risk of various health complications due to drug addiction, like cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, liver damage, kidney dysfunction and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
- One of the things we see is that pregnant women who are addicted to drugs may be less likely to seek prenatal care or adhere to medical advice during pregnancy, increasing the risk of pregnancy complications, undetected medical conditions and poor maternal and fetal outcomes.
- Often exacerbated during pregnancy and early motherhood are mental health disorders. Substance abuse is often associated with co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Besides the health issues associated with drug addiction, financial instability, unemployment, legal problems and strained relationships with family members and friends can all negatively impact the mother’s well-being and ability to care for herself and her baby.
- Unfortunately, all women, not just pregnant women, who are addicted to drugs may be at higher risk of experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of trauma, which can further jeopardize the woman’s health and safety during pregnancy.
- An unfortunate fact of drug addiction during pregnancy is that it can lead to legal consequences, including involvement with child protective services, loss of custody and criminal charges related to child endangerment or neglect.
HL: What is detoxing like for pregnant women? How would that affect the fetus? Aren’t there medications to take during that process?
Dr. Gleaton: Detoxification can have significant effects on the fetus and mother and should be performed under medical supervision by providers who have special expertise in this area. Detox requires close monitoring of the mom and fetus and should often be done in a hospital or detox center. Some medications help with detox, however many of these also pose risks to the fetus and require close surveillance.
HL: What about when a baby is born addicted? What is detox like for the baby? How do you all treat that?
Dr. Gleaton: Neonatal abstinence syndrome occurs when the baby is exposed to drugs in utero and then undergoes withdrawal after birth. Detox for babies with mild NAS involves providing a high level of comfort, including skin-to-skin contact, a soothing environment and frequent feedings. In severe cases, babies may require the addition of tapered doses of opioids to minimize withdrawal symptoms. These babies can experience significant physical discomfort if not formally treated and can exhibit signs of irritability, agitation, poor feeding and jitteriness.
HL: What are some local resources that can help?
Dr. Gleaton: During pregnancy, the Center for Drug & Alcohol Programs (CDAP) at MUSC assists pregnant women in their drug treatment. For postpartum, Charleston Center New Life Unit offers a haven for moms and babies to live while moms work through their substance abuse treatment.
To reach out to Dr. Gleaton, visit www.epicentrecharleston.com for more information on her and her practice.
By Theresa Stratford
