Rehab Centers for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women who are living with drug or alcohol addiction have specialized needs in that they require both prenatal care and addiction treatment care at the same time. This can often be difficult for pregnant women, as they face elevated risks for issues like poverty, domestic violence, and a lack of access to health care services.

With more specialized rehab centers providing programs for pregnant women around the United States, more women will be able to get started on the road to recovery and achieve healthier and happier pregnancies and deliveries.

Substance use disorders can truly affect anyone at any time, and pregnant women are no exception to this. In fact, according to a national 2012 study, roughly 9% of pregnant adult women report alcohol use during pregnancy, while around 6% report illicit drug use during pregnancy, with the most common drug used during pregnancy being marijuana, followed by cocaine and opioids.

Substance misuse can result in serious consequences for both the mother and child, with the unborn fetus facing an increased risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, learning and developmental disabilities, and complications during delivery.

To combat this, early intervention and treatment are essential, as well as specialized care that addresses the unique challenges faced by pregnant women who suffer from drug or alcohol abuse.

General rehab centers are often not sufficient for pregnant women with substance use disorders, as they do not offer prenatal care and may require pregnant women to cohabitate with other patients they are not comfortable around.

Some of the many benefits of specialized programs for pregnant women include:

• Healthier outcomes for mothers and their infants
• Simultaneous addiction care and prenatal care
• Education on parenting and childcare
• Therapy for families and couples
• Kind, compassionate, and understanding medical care and addiction care

Specialized rehab centers for pregnant women also offer a unique kind of support system that women simply cannot get in a general program.

Not only do they have access to providers and staff members with special training and who are compassionate to their situation, but they can also direct pregnant women to additional resources in their community.

Women can also feel more safe and comfortable knowing that they will be treated among other pregnant women in similar situations, as opposed to being treated around male patients who may judge them or make them uncomfortable.

This can be incredibly important for pregnant women who have also been victims of any type of abuse or domestic violence.

There are numerous components of rehab for pregnant women that set these programs apart from general rehab centers. These elements will be discussed in further detail and include services to improve and maintain the health of both mother and baby.

Components of a comprehensive rehab program for pregnant women include:

• Medical care and prenatal monitoring
• Detoxification and withdrawal management
• Nutritional support and prenatal vitamins
• Counseling and mental health services
• Parenting classes and childcare education

One of the biggest benefits of specialized rehab centers for pregnant women is that medical care and prenatal monitoring are usually offered in addition to addiction treatment services.

Regular check-ups and monitoring are important during pregnancy, for the well-being of both the mother and her unborn child. This is because complications can arise very quickly, but are generally very treatable when addressed as early as possible.

While in drug and alcohol rehab, it is also essential that women have access to medical care to address any co-occurring disorders that develop, such as preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension) or gestational diabetes.

Some medical conditions that arise can be life-threatening for both the mother and baby, and may even require hospitalization.

While women will have access to treatment providers while in an alcohol and drug rehab center, there should also be collaboration between their regular obstetrician and pediatrician.

This can help to ensure that both mother and baby are closely monitored after delivery and in the long term after the treatment program has been completed.

Detox is a very important stage of the addiction treatment process and one that should always be taken very seriously and involve medical observation, especially in the case of pregnancy.

Natural detox methods are always considered the safest for pregnant women, though they are not always possible depending on the substance of the addiction and how severe the addiction is.

In many cases, taking a drug like methadone or buprenorphine to help with withdrawal symptoms and the detox process is considered safer than having a pregnant woman go through opioid or alcohol withdrawal or continue using substances while pregnant.

The pros and cons should always be discussed between the pregnant woman and her treatment providers, and the risks involved should always be made clear.

Detoxing from drugs or alcohol can be a life-threatening situation, with risks like relapse, overdose, heart attack, worsening of mental health problems, suicidal ideation, and more.

These risks can usually be managed, however, through close observation from medical and addiction treatment professionals throughout the withdrawal process.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a long-term detox method that is done over several months or even years and allows a person to come off of a drug safely with the assistance of certain approved medications.

Accessing MAT as a pregnant woman is complicated, and pregnant women are often hesitant to seek it out at all for fear of legal repercussions.

However, it is generally considered safe under medical supervision and absolutely the better option than continuing to use opioids or alcohol while pregnant.

Pregnant women can benefit a lot from nutritional support and the use of prenatal vitamins, and this is especially true if they have been living with addiction and are malnourished.

Nutritional deficiencies are somewhat common in pregnant women – even those without substance use disorders. This, in addition to the use of certain drugs, can exacerbate malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines being particularly problematic.

Common nutritional deficiencies in pregnant women with substance use disorders include:

• Omega-3
• Folic acid
• Zinc
• Choline
• Iron
• Copper
• Selenium

Prenatal vitamins and supplements support the health of pregnant women and their infants and can help reduce certain risks that are associated with an unbalanced diet or lost nutrients.

It is important to remember, however, that prenatal vitamins are never meant to be a replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle, and should only be considered as supplementation.

People who are living with addiction often have co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as well as specific disorders like bipolar disorder or a personality disorder.

Some pregnant women also experience prenatal depression, and it is important to address this early on as it can lead to postpartum depression as well.

Anyone in addiction treatment must address underlying mental health issues so that they do not turn to drugs or alcohol again as soon as life becomes challenging. This can be especially true with pregnant women, who are already going to be facing a challenging time in the postpartum period both emotionally and physically and may need extra help.

When a treatment center provides care for both addiction and any co-occurring disorders at the same time, this is considered dual diagnosis treatment.

Therapy and counseling sessions are essential for pregnant women while in rehab, and can include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and couples therapy.

Other types of therapy that are often used in addiction treatment are therapies for behavioral health, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Group therapy and peer support groups can help to remind pregnant women who are struggling with addiction that they are not alone.

These support groups are also great opportunities for learning coping mechanisms and other tools, and for sharing their personal stories with others who can relate.

In addition to providing substance abuse treatment, some rehab centers for pregnant women also offer additional resources to help them transition into parenthood.

Specialized rehab centers can help prepare women for motherhood and parenting in a number of ways, including by helping them establish support systems and providing educational tools.

While in rehab, pregnant women can also work to develop a postpartum plan so that they are prepared for challenges that may arise and so that they know where to turn if they need additional support.

It is important that pregnant women in alcohol and drug addiction treatment receive education on infant care and development that they can take with them after completing their program.

Not only can this help them to be better parents going forward, but it can help them to be aware of the risks to their children if they continue to use drugs or alcohol in the future.

Rehab centers for pregnant women also work to ensure that women have supportive home environments, whether that means with a partner, family, friends, or their community itself.

For some, this may mean living in a sober living home with their child for a period of time after treatment, so that they can be around others with similar situations and goals.

It is essential that pregnant women struggling with drug or alcohol dependency have access to rehab centers that are affordable and of high quality.

A way to tell if a rehab center is of high quality is to check and see if they possess certain features of quality care, such as:

• The facility should be accredited by a national organization such as the Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
• The facility should offer treatment services that are evidence-based.
• The facility should have a positive reputation among past clients and feature positive reviews on Google and social media sites.
• The facility should hold relevant memberships and certifications, such as those from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

Try to have questions prepared in advance before touring any facilities you are interested in, so as to ensure that any and all of your concerns are addressed. Potential questions include:

• Do you accept state-funded health insurance like Medicaid or Medicare?
• Do you offer any forms of financial assistance?
• Do I need a referral before I can begin treatment?
• Can I bring my other children with me to rehab?
• Will I be able to deliver my baby within the rehab facility itself?
• What kind of aftercare and relapse prevention services do you offer?
• Do you offer both outpatient treatment and residential treatment?
• Do you offer intensive outpatient programs (IOP) or partial hospitalization programs (PHP)?
• What can I bring with me to your residential program?
• Does the facility serve pregnant women exclusively?

While both pregnancy and substance abuse are challenging life situations in themselves, they can be much more challenging when occurring at the same time.

One of the biggest challenges that pregnant women face when seeking addiction treatment is getting past any feelings of shame or guilt they are experiencing – as these feelings can often be strong enough to prevent them from seeking help at all.

While in rehab they may also face difficulties in advocating for themselves, especially if they are in a treatment center that is not specialized for pregnant women.

Pregnant women may also face issues like stigma, misconceptions, and judgment from others, including from both healthcare providers and other patients, as well as from their own families and friends.

Specialized recovery centers can combat this, however, by providing environments that are safe, understanding, and judgment-free for pregnant women and other groups that may be stigmatized.

For the reasons listed above, it is crucial that pregnant women have access to care that is compassionate and non-judgmental, to help ensure they are committed to the process.

To support pregnant women, certain services can offer transportation and housing assistance to ensure they can overcome any obstacles or barriers that may prevent them from accessing necessary care.

Here are questions that are frequently asked about rehab centers for pregnant women.

There are several rehab centers throughout the United States that offer specialized services and wellness programs to pregnant women and many which also offer services to families and children as well.

To find one of these treatment facilities in your area for either yourself or a loved one, or for additional resources for pregnant women with substance use disorders, contact us at RehabNet.com today.

No matter who you are or what your situation is, everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy, and sober lifestyle – call us today to learn more.