Maternal and Neonatal Issues

Carol L. Archie, MDGeffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Goal:

• To provide participants with didactic knowledge and insights which will allow them to improve the outcome for women who abuse alcohol and other drugs and their babies.

Non-pregnant clients with childbearing potential

• Address contraceptive issues early in treatment process.– Many women mistakenly believe they are

infertile– Becoming clean and sober often reverses

physiologic changes which previously prevented pregnancy

– Unplanned/undesired pregnancy may threaten recovery

Contraceptive Options

• Effective reversible options should be offered.

• Estrogen containing oral contraceptives should be avoided in most substance abusing patients.

• Methods which do not require daily attention are often preferred.

Examples of Contraceptives to be considered

• IUDs• Depo-Provera• Patch• Vaginal ring

Pregnant Clients, Actively Using

These women represent an extremely challenging population who must be given above all-

HOPE