Page 83 - 1
P. 83
83
Chapter 7
Methadone and Pregnancy
Deborah Stephenson, M.D.
Opioid Addiction in Pregnancy
Opioid addiction puts a woman, her pregnancy and her baby at
increased risk of a negative outcome. Compared to a non-opioid
addicted woman, there is a 3-7 times higher rate of stillbirth, fetal
growth retardation (low birth weight and small head circumference),
prematurity and neonatal mortality among women who use heroin
while pregnant.
The lifestyle associated with drug use often interferes with a woman's
ability to have a nutritious diet, to live in a safe and sober environment
and to participate in prenatal care. Using drugs by injection puts the
pregnant woman and her baby at risk of infection from contamination
by bacteria in the drug/cut or by bacteria that live on the skin. If
needles are shared with other persons, she is also at risk of acquiring
blood borne diseases. Cleaning a shared needle with bleach may
