The CHAMP Clinic is a specialised public antenatal service located at Mater Mothers' Hospital in South Brisbane. The team is dedicated to supporting pregnant women with identified substance use issues, acknowledging the potential impacts on their pregnancy, general health and wellbeing, and family.
Accessing antenatal care through CHAMP is voluntary, and may be offered to women based on their own current or historical use of substances (including illicit or some prescribed medications), or substance use from others within their family (such as parents or partner).
The team strives to offer non-judgmental, safe, holistic, and evidence-based care, recognising the unique barriers this group of women often face when accessing care.
The team at CHAMP Clinic are skilled in identifying and managing issues relating to substance use and pregnancy. Examples include opioid replacement therapy/QOTP, some prescribed medications for mental health and/or chronic pain, access to detox and rehab services, brief intervention for smoking (including tobacco, cannabis, and vaping), common substance use and mental health concerns (dual diagnosis), medical conditions such as hepatitis C, and social difficulties such as housing instability and court obligations.
We are here to guide you in developing the skills needed to care for and nurture your baby while ensuring your health and well-being.
This often includes referrals to other services within Mater Hospital and the community, such as AODS, perinatal mental health, intensive family support services, and not-for-profits.
We understand the value in continuity and consistency, so strive to offer women care from the same two designated clinical midwives and one senior social worker. Most women who access CHAMP for antenatal care are eligible for CHAMP At Home extended postnatal care service; a team of designated clinical midwives who can provide further support for up to six months postpartum.
Maintaining a healthy pregnancy
A healthy pregnancy involves more than just avoiding alcohol and substances. It also means:
- Attending regular antenatal check-ups
- Ensuring you get proper nutrition and restful sleep
- Informing your prescribing doctor about your pregnancy if you're on any medications
- Checking whether over-the-counter medicines are safe to use during pregnancy
Alcohol, tobacco and other substance use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Using alcohol or substances during pregnancy exposes your unborn baby to potential risks, which can affect their growth and development both during your pregnancy and after birth. Several factors influence these risks, including:
- The type of substance used and the amount consumed
- The stage of pregnancy
- Other health and lifestyle factors
Quitting alcohol and substances during pregnancy and creating a positive home environment will greatly support your baby’s growth and development.
Minimising risks
It is important that you and your partner:
- stop smoking
- ask family members and friends not to smoke around you
- stop drinking alcohol
- stop other substance use
- for women on opioid replacement therapies, staying stable on medication and stopping all other recreational drug use is recommended.
It is also important to see a midwife and doctor regularly throughout your pregnancy to talk to them if there are are problems stopping drinking, smoking or substance use. These clinicians will be able to provide advice and information to assist.
In preparing for a baby and parenthood, it is important to surround yourself with family and friends who are supportive.
Having a baby at Mater
When you attend Mater’s CHAMP Clinic, you’ll receive:
- Regular antenatal health checks with a midwife to prepare for childbirth
- Care from an obstetrician and medical team
- Valuable health information and education
- Support for managing alcohol, tobacco and other substance use
- Assistance during your postnatal stay, and for a short time after discharge if needed
- Parenting advice and information
- Referrals to additional health and support services, both within the hospital and in the community (e.g., social work, child health clinics)
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to know more about substance use during pregnancy
It's important to understand the type of substance or drug used, as well as how much isued and how often. All of these factors will determine what possible effects may be had on your unborn baby. While complications can occur during pregnancy regardless of substance use, women who consume alcohol while they're pregnant, or those who use other drugs such as cannabis/marijuana, amphetamine type stimulants or injectables, are at a higher risk.
How will substance use affect my unborn baby?
A lot is known about the adverse effects to unborn babies from alcohol and tobacco. But we are also starting to learn new information on the effects from illicit drug use during pregnancy too.
Is there a risk of my newborn baby withdrawing from my drug-use?
Any baby who was regularly exposed to substances (including some medications) while in utero, will need to be assessed by a neonatologist (baby doctor) for risk of developing neonatal withdrawals.
For women on opioid replacement therapies, we recommend you stay stable on your medication and stop all other recreational drug use. Unless there are other concerns, your baby will be admitted to the postnatal ward with you. You will be given information to help monitor your baby’s withdrawal symptoms and will be encouraged to provide most of the supportive care your baby might need.
Some babies require an admission into our Special Care Nursery for treatment. If your baby is discharged home on medication, staff will remain involved in your baby's care until the medication is stopped.
Is it okay to breastfeed?
There are many benefits to be gained from breastfeeding, for both mother and baby. We advise you to abstain from regular or binge-type drug use so that you can breastfeed your baby safely.
Planning ahead for your discharge from hospital
Early discharge planning ensures you are prepared for your baby’s arrival and have adequate support to help you care for your baby in the early postnatal period. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Building a strong relationship with your baby
All parents hope to build a strong, loving relationship with their baby. And all babies need a strong loving relationship with their parents. This relationship can be nurtured from early pregnancy. Remember you are the most important person in your baby’s life!
How partners can offer support and help
There are many ways partners can support you and form a close bond with your baby. Spending time with your baby together, doing things like bathing, burping, changing nappies and cuddling will help them to get to know your baby.
Being baby safe
It is important to provide a smoke-free, drug-free and safe home environment for your family. It may be helpful to take advantage of available family support to ensure that you have plenty of help and adequate rest in those first few weeks after your baby’s birth.
Make a decision now, to not be intoxicated around your baby. It may be some time after your baby’s birth before you think about having a drink of alcohol or even having a night out. Before you do, STOP and think about who will care for your baby?
Plan ahead and ask a trusted family member or friend to babysit for the evening or overnight. Make sure that they know how to care for and respond to your baby, and they understand the importance of the safe sleeping guidelines when settling your baby to sleep.
Child safety concerns
Staff at CHAMP Clinic will identify and work with those women who present with child safety risk factors, such as homelessness, domestic violence or uncontrolled drug use.
For women who are involved with the Department of Communities—Child Safety, attending CHAMP Clinic for your antenatal care is seen as a positive step in working toward reducing child safety concerns. We offer support to you and your family in preparing for your baby’s birth and discharge home.
Contact details
The CHAMP Clinic can be contacted on 07 3163 2417 or champ@mater.org.au. We have also put together a list of helpful phone numbers of people who can help in times of stress.
- Child Health Line, 13 432 584
- Australian Breastfeeding Association, 1800 686 286
- Queensland Lactation Consultants, 07 3396 9718
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service, 07 3837 5989 or 1800 177 833
- Drug—Arm, 1300 656 800
- Anglicare AMEND, 1300 114 397
- QuIHN Women’s Circle, 07 3252 5390
- Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Mental Health Service, 1300 858 998
- Lifeline, 13 11 14
Looking for more information?
Smoking, alcohol and drug use during pregnancy and breastfeeding