Hi, I have an urgent question from a friend of mine (J). Her sister who is 21yo. has just found out she is about 1.5 to 2 months pregnant (she found out 1 week ago). J is concerned because her sister had a Hx of IV drug use since approx 17yo, she also has Hep C (diagnosed 3 years ago). To add to this she smokes (has cut back a little since discovering her pregnancy) & uses pot as well (was regular but my friend is unsure if still regular). J just found out today that her sister is still using speed (more so than heroin) & heroin. Her sister is very happy about her pregnancy, as is her partner. Sister suffers severe depression (also family Hx of schitzophrenia), has regular severe ups & downs, and at the moment is extremely tired & morning sick. Her partner also has anger management issues, is posessive & also uses drugs. To top this off, she is also suffering a current outbreak of genital herpes & used ? roaccutane (unsure of spelling, but used for acne) last 2 years ago. J was initally happy (trying to be positive) for her sister (though worried) but since finding out about the speed & heroin has become very concerned about affects on pregnancy & baby. J's parents are distraught & want her sister to have a ternmination. J is well educated & has given her sister a list of very important things to do straight away but says that she is unreliable & when did go to GP today, did not mention her drug use.

This all sounds so strange to me because I have never cared for someone in this position, so had no answers for J. So J's questions are:

1. How might the different drugs affect this baby / pregnancy?

2. What effects might the herpes have on this pregnancy?

3. What effects will the Hep C. have on this baby (& transmission risks)?

4. Who would be the best care providers for this woman.... what specialists & resources should she access (& does the new ?Phoenix

project at the RWH in Brisbane cover someone in this type of high risk group)?

5. Will the acne treatment 2 years ago still have any effects?

6. Any comments on something she has not thought of.

J & I both would appreciate your input (please, please, please).

Thankyou all,

Tina H. Brisbane. (Hope not to many mistakes, feeding babe whilst typing)

[ozmidwifery] Fw:info please

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