Substance Use and Addiction During Pregnancy

Course overview

Substance use during pregnancy is not uncommon. Pregnant women have been found to consume alcohol during the first trimester of pregnancy, and both illicit and prescription drug use have become a public health concern for women during pregnancy. Fetal exposure to substances affects normal fetal development and is associated with a high rate of low birth weight and childhood development and cognitive impairment. Screening for the risk and the diagnosis of a substance use disorder during pregnancy, as well as correlating socioeconomic and other environmental stressors; and, treatment and follow-up of the mother’s recovery and the child’s development in utero and after birth are discussed.