SUBSTANCE USE IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Approximately 11% of reproductive age women use illicit substances, 25% use cigarettes, and 30% binge drink or use heavy amounts of alcohol. Pregnancy interrupts the pattern of substance use in many women. Nearly 50% of pregnant women who smoke cigarettes and 70-90% of women who use illicit substances achieve abstinence in pregnancy. However, women who have a history of substance abuse may also be at higher risk for rapid repeat pregnancy. Thus, it is important to understand the risk of rapid repeat pregnancy among this group, given the range of adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes associated with prenatal substance exposure. We have conducted studies to compare rates of abstinence and relapse of various substances and investigate patterns between substance use histories, rapid repeat pregnancy, and postpartum contraception.
