Pregnancy and Addiction
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139:13-16 ESV)
Financial Advice For Single Pregnant Moms
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Dealing With Addiction And Pregnancy Complications
An astounding number of grandparents are taking on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren. Not only do you have the stress of dealing with your child's addiction but now you may be put in a situation where you decide to take on the role and of being a mother/father and a grandmother/grandfather in one. You are now in the position where you may have to care for a baby with a multitude of medical issues while dealing with your addicted child's emotional ups and downs that go along with abusing substances.
As the child gets older they may need a myriad of extra care or medical help, thus causing issues with development, learning and cognition. They may have behavioral concerns, and studies show these children may show more signs of aggression.
Talking to your daughter about her period, and about contraception is very important. Making her aware of her choices, making her aware of the responsibility she has if she is going to make grown up decisions is crucial. This may mean taking her to the doctor and putting her on birth control or having her get the birth control shot, if she isn't responsible with her pills. It is an important conversation to have with your son as well. The amount of children being born to addicted parents is at an all time high, and preventing these pregnancies by teaching our kids about birth control is one small way we can hopefully limit the stress our families go through.
If you are of the belief in abstinence and waiting for marriage, then those are important things to instill in your child. However, we think having discussions about birth control if you know your child is sexually active is pretty important because the reality is that if they are abusing substances the likely hood of them becoming pregnant is extremely high.
As the child gets older they may need a myriad of extra care or medical help, thus causing issues with development, learning and cognition. They may have behavioral concerns, and studies show these children may show more signs of aggression.
Talking to your daughter about her period, and about contraception is very important. Making her aware of her choices, making her aware of the responsibility she has if she is going to make grown up decisions is crucial. This may mean taking her to the doctor and putting her on birth control or having her get the birth control shot, if she isn't responsible with her pills. It is an important conversation to have with your son as well. The amount of children being born to addicted parents is at an all time high, and preventing these pregnancies by teaching our kids about birth control is one small way we can hopefully limit the stress our families go through.
If you are of the belief in abstinence and waiting for marriage, then those are important things to instill in your child. However, we think having discussions about birth control if you know your child is sexually active is pretty important because the reality is that if they are abusing substances the likely hood of them becoming pregnant is extremely high.
Website Resources For Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352901
Information about fetal alcohol syndrome.
FADSD
http://fafasd.net
Their mission: to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through education, support and research-based training to family members, caregivers, and professionals living with, caring for, and working with individuals with an FASD.
FASD United
http://www.nofas.org
The FASD United Family Navigator program provides individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and their family members and caregivers with expert, confidential support and referrals. The navigator serves members of the FASD community and anyone in need of one-on-one emotional support, referrals to resources and services, information about prenatal alcohol exposure, or with a question about any facet of FASD.
Center For Parent and Resources
https://www.parentcenterhub.org
There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories. These Centers perform a variety of direct services for children and youth with disabilities, families, professionals, and other organizations that support them. Some of the activities include: Working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26, Helping parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development, and Partnering with professionals and policy makers to improve outcomes for all children with disabilities.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352901
Information about fetal alcohol syndrome.
FADSD
http://fafasd.net
Their mission: to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through education, support and research-based training to family members, caregivers, and professionals living with, caring for, and working with individuals with an FASD.
FASD United
http://www.nofas.org
The FASD United Family Navigator program provides individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and their family members and caregivers with expert, confidential support and referrals. The navigator serves members of the FASD community and anyone in need of one-on-one emotional support, referrals to resources and services, information about prenatal alcohol exposure, or with a question about any facet of FASD.
Center For Parent and Resources
https://www.parentcenterhub.org
There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories. These Centers perform a variety of direct services for children and youth with disabilities, families, professionals, and other organizations that support them. Some of the activities include: Working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26, Helping parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development, and Partnering with professionals and policy makers to improve outcomes for all children with disabilities.
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Dr. Bergeron explains the impact drug use and prenatal drug exposure has on the development of an infant. |
(Video is about 4 minutes)
FASD learning forum presentation by Anne Russell, Founder and Executive Officer Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association |
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Miscarriage rates are higher in women who use marijuana and pregnancy complications, including increased chance of placental issues and neonatal death, are more prevalent in women who report positive marijuana exposure.
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A pregnant mother is forced to give her son to another woman to raise—an all-too-common story of the heroin crisis. |
(Video is about 10 minutes)
After losing custody of her two oldest children because of her addiction, Cortney Jordan hopes a new recovery program will help her keep her newborn baby. (Video is about 2 minutes)
Meth is now one of the primary drugs of choice for pregnant women who are abusing drugs -- It's a national trend that Louisville doctors and nurses say they are seeing firsthand. |
(Video is about 4 minutes)
News segment about babies addicted to meth. (Video is about 8 minutes)
Emily is an advocate for mental health and disability rights because of the firsthand experience she has with both subjects. |
(Video is about 20 minutes)
Nicole was out dancing with friends when she tripped and broke her arm in six places. She never thought that would be the start of an addiction to opioids. Then she got pregnant and feared her baby would be born dependent. This is an intimate look inside an innovative—and shockingly effective—treatment. (Video is about 15 minutes)
After her brother was diagnosed with the disease of addiction, Sam Fowler and her family had to change the way they lived their lives. In her talk, she tells about her experiences suffering from “the family disease." (Video is about an hour and a half)
In this panel discussion, you will hear family & caregivers discuss their experience of parenting a child/adult with FASD. They will share the joys and challenges of supporting their child’s unique needs. Conversations will address a variety of subjects including diagnosis, support networks, advocacy, clinical services, community programs, respite, and government benefits that can assist in caring for a person with FASD. (Video is about 13 minutes)
We made ReMoved with the desire that it would be used to serve in bringing awareness, encourage, and be useful in foster parent training, and raising up foster parents. |
(Video is about 45 minutes)
Los Angeles County's foster care system is the largest in the country. In this episode, Lisa Ling investigates what happens to a child after they've been removed from their family, the actions parents take hoping to reunify and how the system is holding up under the strain. (Video is about 4 minutes)
Insights and tips from health professionals and parents and carers about approaches to managing FASD. (Video is about 9 minutes)
Children and teenagers with FASD require specific supports that are unique from other developmental disabilities and conditions. Many educators and school personnel have not been trained on these specific needs. If a parent has sent you this video, they are trying to provide you with tools that can help you work more effectively with their child. (Video is about 22 minutes)
ReMoved Part Two - Stuck in the abyss of the foster care system, Zoe's life finally begins to move forward until unexpectedly what she holds dearest is taken away from her yet again and she is left to pick up the pieces of her tender heart. |
(Video is about 21 minutes)
Little Kevi is torn from the only life he has ever known and struggles to make sense of how he fits between two worlds and two mothers. The 3rd in the ReMoved Series. |
(Video is about 6 minutes)
In 2008, a girl named Danielle made headlines around the world after she was discovered in a run-down house in Florida. Severely neglected, unable to speak and surrounded by filth, Danielle (age 6 when she was rescued) had been raised like a wild animal. |