dear tina 1) the effects of the drugs are varied. there is more risk of malformation with heroin use than speed, however both will cause the babe to withdraw after birth. it will be better for the babe if she breastfeeds as the babe will get small doses through the breastmilk, and soften the withdrawal. i have worked witha lot of term mums and babes during the postnatal period. other than the withdrawal period, which can be very severe, i am not aware of the longer term effects on the babe. there is a much greater risk of m/c due to FDIU or malformation. 2) there is no effect from the herpes unless she has a current outbreak at term and delivers vaginally. then the babe is greatly effected. if she has an outbreak then she needs to have a c/s. it is possible to have medicationto reduce the risk of an outbreak as she nears term is she wants, and has seen her antenatal dr. 3)i am not sure of the risks of hep c transferral accross the placenta. postnatally, there are proceedures to reduce the risks. 4)she needs to go to a tertiary hospital for her care as they will have the best antenatal and postnatal care for her, and programms in place to deal with her type of high risk pregnancy. 5)it is very unlikely that any treatment from 2 years ago will have any effect now unless she is still using the medication. 6)there are more problems for the babe after birth from a disfuctional family. however there isn't much to be done other than keep a close eye on the babe and the mum it ensure there are no violence or neglect issues, which are prevelent in this type of situation.
good luck in this very heart wrenching situation. love Bethany -----Original Message----- From: M & T Holroyd [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, 15 August 2003 17:16 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] Fw:info please ----- Original Message ----- From: M & T Holroyd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 6:06 PM Subject: Fw: Fw:info please Hi, trying again. Tina H. ----- Original Message ----- From: M & T Holroyd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2003 2:45 PM Subject: Fw:info please Hi, I tried this last week but had h**p in the wrong place. Tina H. ----- Original Message ----- From: M & T Holroyd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 9:56 PM Subject: info please 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) -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
