National Illicit Drug Strategy
Information for pregnant women
It is recommended that pregnant women stop all recreational drug use.
If you drink alcohol or use drugs while you are pregnant, your baby will be exposed to its effects. This may affect how your baby grows and develops during your pregnancy. It also may continue to affect your baby after they are born.
How much your baby is affected is influenced by a number of factors such as:
- the type of drug (e.g. alcohol) and the amount used
- how pregnant you are when you take it
- your own health and lifestyle issues.
Stopping alcohol and drug use in pregnancy and giving your baby lots of love, nurturing and attention in early life will help your baby grow and develop. It is also important for you to see your midwife and doctor regularly throughout your pregnancy.
If you’re having trouble stopping, please ask your midwife or doctor for advice on how to quit.
The program
Mater Mothers' Hospital's National Illicit Drug Strategy NIDS Project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
This service supports hospital staff who provide antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care to substance-using pregnant women and babies who are at risk of developing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This is achieved through service and resource development, staff education and consultation, protocol and clinical pathway development and access to resources. An example is the development of a carepath for babies at risk of developing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome—used in postnatal wards and Neonatal Critical Care Unit.
The project is also involved in networking between hospital and community alcohol and drug agencies so as to promote women’s continuity of care. An example of this is the development of a flowchart for managing and responding to pregnant women who present to Brisbane City Watch House.
The NIDS Coordinator presents on Managing Perinatal Substance Use at the biannual Alcohol and Drug Nursing Course, conducted by Queensland Health’s Prince Charles Hospital and Health Service District. The presentation also features in the course for student midwives at The Australian Catholic University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
This project is involved with the National Special Interest Group on Perinatal Substance Use (affiliated with the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand) by providing secretariat support and helping to organise national meetings. A number of Mater staff are members of this special interest group.