News - Helping pregnant women who are drug users

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2 mins
28 Oct 2007
TV3 News, NZ

Addiction specialists are using a different approach to help pregnant women who are drug users.

It is not yet clear how newer drugs like methamphetamine will affect young children.

But some pregnant women believe they are better off if they don't admit to having a drug problem.

This specialist team help mums who take drugs in pregnancy, who may not want help..

'A woman who discloses substance use in pregnancy runs the risk of losing her children,' says Marejke Cedarman of the Community and Alcohol Drug Services.

But the team finds a way to hook them in and connect them with services like Child, Youth and Family, mental health antenatal care, and their family.

The affect of alcohol is well known but there is scant information about what meth does to babies.

Dr Trecia Wouldes at Auckland University is trying to change that...

'We're looking to find what the developmental effects will be of methamphetamine and other drugs during pregnancy.'

She says the public should not rush to judge these mothers because that will drive them away from help.

'What we want to do is get them into get them into good prenatal care, that makes the difference whether you have a healthy baby or not.'

It is clear more harm will come to children if pregnant mums don't seek help.

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