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Addiction and Pregnancy and Nurses
As a nurse, I feel compelled to tell those of you who are pregnant and using pain medication, whether because you are addicted or for real pain one thing. My profession, nursing, has a tendency to be very judgmental and lacks compassion for addicts. I know that I have told none of my nurse friends about my addiction. And so, please know that you may be judged and they may make you feel guilty and you will just need to ignore them. I've never understood the fact that as nurses we know that addiction is a disease but the profession in general treats addicts differently. I wish I could apologize for my colleagues as a whole. So, know that you are who you are, you're trying to get help and if you find a nurse or doctor treating you disrespectfully you should feel free to ask for another provider. Addiction is a disease and addicts deserve the same compassion as cancer patients. I know that nurses are especially judging of pregnant people who don't follow every rule that the nurse believes in...know that you're good people and I pray for all of you!
Hi marcatj
So sorry for not responding sooner! I only get computer time after everyone else has gone to bed - thus the name Jammies, lol
I've had plenty of kids under 10 who were exposed to drugs and alcohol prenatally. What I see is mostly the secondary disabilities that often occur in kids who have not had good or consistant interventions early on. It's such a shame because low self-esteem
is such an easy fix for many of the troubling behaviors like lying, stealing, aggression, compulsive eating, etc. I do everything I can to find positives and focus only on the child's gifts and talents while trying to ignore the other stuff.
I have adopted a child with full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and while he is the sweetest and most giving child on the planet he has permanent brain damage that can never be cured. At nine years old he still cannot spell his name correctly 10 out of 10 times. He has hurt himself many, many times because he does not have cause and effect thinking. He needs constant supervision ,
Alcohol by far is absolute worst thing a pregnant woman can ingest because there is no safe time to drink during pregnancy.
I so admire what you do for these kids and your compassion and knowledge really shine through in your post. I know the patience and skill that's needed to make even the smallest of gains.
A huge resource for me has been an educational site for FAS that has oodles and oodles of tips for teaching FAS children:
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/fas/
take care
So sorry for not responding sooner! I only get computer time after everyone else has gone to bed - thus the name Jammies, lol
I've had plenty of kids under 10 who were exposed to drugs and alcohol prenatally. What I see is mostly the secondary disabilities that often occur in kids who have not had good or consistant interventions early on. It's such a shame because low self-esteem
is such an easy fix for many of the troubling behaviors like lying, stealing, aggression, compulsive eating, etc. I do everything I can to find positives and focus only on the child's gifts and talents while trying to ignore the other stuff.
I have adopted a child with full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and while he is the sweetest and most giving child on the planet he has permanent brain damage that can never be cured. At nine years old he still cannot spell his name correctly 10 out of 10 times. He has hurt himself many, many times because he does not have cause and effect thinking. He needs constant supervision ,
Alcohol by far is absolute worst thing a pregnant woman can ingest because there is no safe time to drink during pregnancy.
I so admire what you do for these kids and your compassion and knowledge really shine through in your post. I know the patience and skill that's needed to make even the smallest of gains.
A huge resource for me has been an educational site for FAS that has oodles and oodles of tips for teaching FAS children:
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/fas/
take care
Did you want to know about the long term effects for exposure to opiates or just any drug? I know with my students their ability to handle their emotions without doing things that will get them sent to jail when they are adults is the main issue. The fetal alcohol and crack babies often have learning disabilities. Opiate/heroin addicted babies may too, I just haven't come across any in my 10 years of teaching.
I also taught 3 years in a residential treatment facility where most of the kids lived on grounds but some were transported to me from public schools because every school in their district had expelled them. I once had 2 boys who lived 2 hours from my classroom, but 5 minutes from each other. They each would arrive on their own bus becaue they were violent with each other. I had bus drivers knocking on my classroom door asking if i could "get their wallet back" from one of my kids.
My most recent frustration with the lingering effects of the effects of drug addiction in babies is a young girl of 14 who "was/is my heart" and I had to let her go. I couldn't keep her in the public school setting. She stole, she lied, she was aggressive. She was so personable and likable, always smiling and joking, but her dad (mom not abandoned her as an infant) said that anytime she got a friend, well, she would steal from her and lose the friendship. This young girl once or twice broke down crying, telling me how lonely she was and could I help her to change. I couldn't. I tried. This girl could have gone to Harvard (maybe by some miracle she still will). But, instead she is now in a "lock down" type of school. I see these kids suffer and it makes me soooo mad at addiction.
tzt
I also taught 3 years in a residential treatment facility where most of the kids lived on grounds but some were transported to me from public schools because every school in their district had expelled them. I once had 2 boys who lived 2 hours from my classroom, but 5 minutes from each other. They each would arrive on their own bus becaue they were violent with each other. I had bus drivers knocking on my classroom door asking if i could "get their wallet back" from one of my kids.
My most recent frustration with the lingering effects of the effects of drug addiction in babies is a young girl of 14 who "was/is my heart" and I had to let her go. I couldn't keep her in the public school setting. She stole, she lied, she was aggressive. She was so personable and likable, always smiling and joking, but her dad (mom not abandoned her as an infant) said that anytime she got a friend, well, she would steal from her and lose the friendship. This young girl once or twice broke down crying, telling me how lonely she was and could I help her to change. I couldn't. I tried. This girl could have gone to Harvard (maybe by some miracle she still will). But, instead she is now in a "lock down" type of school. I see these kids suffer and it makes me soooo mad at addiction.
tzt
First of all, thank you for the wonderful work you do - from one human being to another! I would imagine you don't do it for the "thank you's" but I wanted to say it anyway... :-)
You know, we've been talking about the immediate effects on a child - right after childbirth, and when they're babies. Do you know much (or what is a good source) for the long term effects on a child? ie learning disabilities, emotional issues, etc? We get alot of questions here, it would be great to know.. We always talk about when the baby is born but I'd like to know what happens later, too...
Thanks again.. and if you don't feel like "posting" again re: this.. I always have "google"... and will give it a try :)
God bless you... (btw - LOVE "Jammies")
mj
You know, we've been talking about the immediate effects on a child - right after childbirth, and when they're babies. Do you know much (or what is a good source) for the long term effects on a child? ie learning disabilities, emotional issues, etc? We get alot of questions here, it would be great to know.. We always talk about when the baby is born but I'd like to know what happens later, too...
Thanks again.. and if you don't feel like "posting" again re: this.. I always have "google"... and will give it a try :)
God bless you... (btw - LOVE "Jammies")
mj
Babies born addicted to crack or heroin need medical interventions and almost always CPS would be called. At least here where I live.
But there are plenty of reasons why babies can be born addicted to RX drugs and still be sent home with mom. Medications for seizure disorders, chronic pain etc can all cause problems in the newborn.
In my experience communication is the key. Most social workers want children to stay with their parents and they'll work with you to find a way to make it happen.
But obviously an active addiction is a full time job all on it's own and a baby, especially drug-effected has more needs than most - so that formula doesn't bode well for healthy parenting.
Like I said every situation is different - it's best to communicate with your Dr if you fear what will happen at the time of delivery.
Maybe there is a social worker here with more answers?
But there are plenty of reasons why babies can be born addicted to RX drugs and still be sent home with mom. Medications for seizure disorders, chronic pain etc can all cause problems in the newborn.
In my experience communication is the key. Most social workers want children to stay with their parents and they'll work with you to find a way to make it happen.
But obviously an active addiction is a full time job all on it's own and a baby, especially drug-effected has more needs than most - so that formula doesn't bode well for healthy parenting.
Like I said every situation is different - it's best to communicate with your Dr if you fear what will happen at the time of delivery.
Maybe there is a social worker here with more answers?
Hi leo -
if you are taking pain meds prescribed by your doctor, then they would not take your baby away...at least not in canada. a woman taking heroin -living in transient conditions, possibly ingesting other harmful substances and feeding her addiction with prostituton (just a example) - is a high rish for a baby because of HIV and abuse etc etc...this is NOT like a mother taking pain meds for a legitimate problem.
It is difficult to treat pregnant women, I agree with tzt2lady, it is heartbreaking to deal with addicts as even a baby isn't motivation enough to stop harmful behaviour.
I really don't think you are this type of person...please do not worry, the worry is much more harmful for your baby. Please email me( I left you my address on another post). I will tell you about my birth and what happened to me because of stress...which is much worse than taking 4 perc a day!
liz
if you are taking pain meds prescribed by your doctor, then they would not take your baby away...at least not in canada. a woman taking heroin -living in transient conditions, possibly ingesting other harmful substances and feeding her addiction with prostituton (just a example) - is a high rish for a baby because of HIV and abuse etc etc...this is NOT like a mother taking pain meds for a legitimate problem.
It is difficult to treat pregnant women, I agree with tzt2lady, it is heartbreaking to deal with addicts as even a baby isn't motivation enough to stop harmful behaviour.
I really don't think you are this type of person...please do not worry, the worry is much more harmful for your baby. Please email me( I left you my address on another post). I will tell you about my birth and what happened to me because of stress...which is much worse than taking 4 perc a day!
liz
You are a angel for what you do for these children..It is one of the most unselfish acts a person can do.....I commeand you for that..
Can u tell me from your experience, you said some of the babies were taken from mothers with addiction issues right? Do u mean like crack or heroin or alcahol? Have u ever seen a baby taken from a mother for taking prescribed pain meds from a dr?
Can u tell me from your experience, you said some of the babies were taken from mothers with addiction issues right? Do u mean like crack or heroin or alcahol? Have u ever seen a baby taken from a mother for taking prescribed pain meds from a dr?
I am a foster mom to special needs children and also have an interim home for newborn babies (newborns live with me a short time before being legally adopted)
Of the 80 babies or so I've had, many were born to moms who had addictions and each baby, each mother and each addiction is different.
I try very hard not to judge but sometimes I just get tired of the cycle that just goes round and round.
I love what I do and feel honored to do it but I wish there was no need for my services.
Of the 80 babies or so I've had, many were born to moms who had addictions and each baby, each mother and each addiction is different.
I try very hard not to judge but sometimes I just get tired of the cycle that just goes round and round.
I love what I do and feel honored to do it but I wish there was no need for my services.
I agree with Mj. When I sponsored, I didnt have it in me to efficiently sponsor pregnant women because i tried it once and then the woman went back out shooting heroin. It messed with my head too much. After that, I just couldn't be good with pregnant women. I didn't like that about me but it is just the way it went.
.. i think the judgement or concern comes from a place often times, of not judging the addict so much as having a primary concern for the unborn child. a very instinctual and often maternal feeling of wanting to protect a child who has no defenses - at all costs.
i think that is the knee-jerk reaction.. but that is just my opinion...
i think that is the knee-jerk reaction.. but that is just my opinion...
Thank you for your honesty......
The simple fact is that addiction is not looked at as a disease........
People think an addict makes a rational choice to use.....
Alcoholics for example when they go to jail are given meds to ease there W/Ds.......but if a known drug addict comes in there treated like sh**.......
Drug addicts are looked at as scum bags and until that mind set changes and addicts get the help they need the growing problem of addiction will only continue to grow in numbers.........
The simple fact is that addiction is not looked at as a disease........
People think an addict makes a rational choice to use.....
Alcoholics for example when they go to jail are given meds to ease there W/Ds.......but if a known drug addict comes in there treated like sh**.......
Drug addicts are looked at as scum bags and until that mind set changes and addicts get the help they need the growing problem of addiction will only continue to grow in numbers.........
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