The Sad Fact of More Babies Being Born With Addictions

Most mothers know that everything they consume ends up in their baby’s system. We’ve all seen pregnant women refusing alcohol, avoiding sushi, and even watching what kind of lotion they use for fear of interfering with their developing baby. But a little raw fish pales in comparison to the amount of drugs in the bloodstream of a baby born to a drug addict. Without even asking for it, he enters the world already addicted.

More and more babies are being born with addictions, according to a national study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In fact, between the years of 2000 and 2009, the number of newborn babies being treated for withdrawal nearly tripled. What was once 1.2 babies out of every 1,000 is now 3.4 out of every 1,000.

Bitter Beginnings

A newborn baby with drugs in his system will begin to experience withdrawal just a few hours after birth. Nurses and physicians have become far too familiar with the high-pitched cry of a baby in the throes of withdrawal pains. His body has been numb for months, and sensation returns with a vengeance. Many of his symptoms will mirror that of infection, including fever, shaking, chills, diarrhea, and pain all over. He may refuse to eat, have trouble sleeping, and he may even have seizures.

This condition is called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and there is very little that can be done about it. Many hospitals administer tiny amounts of methadone to ease symptoms until the child is completely weaned. Success has been had with giving the child a dark, quiet space and as much comfort as possible.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome also has a great financial impact. It is necessary to keep the child in the hospital for at least two weeks after birth, which can cost as much as $54,000. Considering that nearly seventy-eight percent of mothers with children suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome are on Medicaid, this is a tremendous impact on taxpayers’ money. In 2009, nearly $720 million was spent on this serious condition in infants.

How It Starts

A shocking number of mothers are becoming addicted to prescription opioids, either before or during pregnancy. A woman may be prescribed Oxycontin or Percocet for pain, and sometimes after even a few days of use she will notice that she experiences withdrawal symptoms if she stops taking the painkillers. These symptoms mirror those of the flu or a cold and are abated by returning to drug use. Before long she can find herself in the grips of a full-blown addiction.

A pregnant woman in need of pain relief should seek alternative methods such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, and herbs and supplements that are approved by her doctor. As a last resort, experts say a small amount of over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin may be used. She must understand that everything she puts in her body will be given to her unborn child. Would one give a two-year-old child a daily adult dose of Oxycontin? It is even harder on the developing fetus.

If there is an addiction problem a pregnant woman should get immediate help. Often this may require medically supervised detox under the care of a doctor followed up by long-term treatment services. The facility should also focus on nutrition and giving one life skills to cope with the challenges of motherhood and live drug-free.

For more information about how to prevent this problem or to get help for a loved one contact Narconon today.

Source:

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/10/28/4370274/public-health.html