Effects During Pregnancy

• The baby will get some heroin through the placenta and the baby's growth and development may be affected. If you are not eating or sleeping properly the baby may be further affected.
  


• Heroin use can result in low birth weight babies who can experience complications such as infections and breathing problems in the first weeks of life.
  


• Injecting heroin increases the risk of becoming infected with HIV (the virus which causes AIDS) which may then be passed onto the baby. Infection can result from sharing needles and other injecting equipment or having unsafe sex with someone who is infected.
  

Withdrawal

• The baby could experience heroin withdrawal after birth. The severity of withdrawal can depend on other factors, such as your own health.
  


• If you use heroin during pregnancy and regularly go through withdrawal the baby will too. The baby cannot be treated at this stage and there is evidence to suggest that this results in a higher risk of premature labour and the baby being undernourished. There is also some suggestion of a higher incidence of cot death.
  

• The symptoms of withdrawal in new-born babies can include: sweating, fever, breathing problems, high pitched crying, excessive sucking, muscle spasms and irritability.
  

What You Can Do

• DON'T STOP USING HEROIN SUDDENLY. It will make you and your baby uncomfortable and your baby will be much more affected by withdrawing than you will be.
  


• You could consider going on a methadone program while you are pregnant which would help control the amount of drugs you need as well as enabling you to look after your general health.
  

• Pregnant women who are dependent on heroin should contact the Chemical Dependency Unit at the Royal Women's Hospital or an Alcohol and Drug Counselling agency. Sudden withdrawal can harm the baby.
  

Effects During Pregnancy

• Women who are on a methadone program have fewer complications during pregnancy and childbirth and are generally healthier than those who are using heroin. This is probably due to a combination of clean, controlled drug use and easier access to medical/ante-natal care as well as easing some of the stresses caused by the need to raise the money to buy drugs.
  


• Complications are less likely to occur if methadone treatment is started early in the pregnancy. Speak to your doctor or health worker early in the pregnancy about the methadone program.
  


• Methadone crosses the placenta so when taken some will reach the baby.
  


• There is some evidence of a reduction in foetal and obstetric complications with Methadone. Babies cope better with a controlled and constant drug environment
  

Managing Withdrawal

• Your baby may still go through withdrawal even if you are taking methadone.
  


• The baby will be treated with either supportive care or medication to ease the withdrawal symptoms.
  


• As the withdrawal symptoms ease, the baby's medication (if it has been necessary) will be slowly reduced. When the baby is progressing well both in her/his general health and withdrawal you will be able to take your baby home.
  


• The Maternal and Child Health nurse or the District Nurses will visit you regularly at home to help you and your baby.
  


• It may be recommended that you stay on the methadone program for some time after the baby is born. This allows you and the baby to settle into new routines. you will be able to discuss this with your doctor.
  

Breast Feeding - Methadone and Heroin