Prenatal Substance Exposure

While tragic and unfortunate, early exposure to substances is not a one-size fits all. Every child has a unique prenatal history and story. Substance exposure does not mean a child cannot grow happily and healthily. However, it likely means that a child will need extra patience, behavioral supports, and compassion around learning differences or sensory needs that change over time. As with all children, building and maintaining strong, nurturing caregiver relationships is vital to success. Please reference our Early Childhood, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Supports, Neurodiversity and Substance Use/Addictions pages for more resources.

"Prenatal exposure to maternal substances of abuse can have a devastating effect on the long-term outcome of children. However... it is impossible to differentiate the detrimental effects of any one specific drug from that of any other. In this light, it is vital that we understand that the home environment is the critical determinant of the child’s ultimate outcome." ~ Dr. Ira Chasnoff, substance exposure expert

Local Evaluations & Providers

Center for Adoption Medicine
Cognitive Supports by Nate Sheets, BBA, QMHA,
FASD Northwest by Eileen Devine, LCSW
- Eileen's blog is an amazing resource
FASCETS
Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, University of Washington
OHSU CDRC Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Providence Child Development Institute

Websites

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- Opioid Use During Pregnancy and Polysubstance Use in Pregnancy
Circle of Security
NTI Upstream - publications and resources with Dr. Ira Chasnoff
Partnership to End Addiction

Recommended Books & Articles

FASD and Drug Affected-related Materials in ORPARC's library

5 Surprising Facts You Need to Know About Prenatal Opiate Exposure by Creating a Family
Adopting or Fostering an Opiate-Exposed Baby by Jockey
Adoption Medicine Clinic
- Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure
- Prenatal Cocaine Exposure
- Prenatal Marijuana Exposure
- Prenatal Tobacco Exposure
- Prenatal Opiate Exposure
Babies Born to Meth Affected Mothers Seem Well Behaved by Elicia Kennedy ABC News
Cannabis Use During Pregnancy May Harm Children's Mental Health by NBC News
Child Welfare's Next Challenge: Parenting Meth's Young Victims by Adoptalk, NACAC
Children Exposed to Methamphetamine Before Birth by Science Daily
Developmental Consequences of Prenatal Exposure to Drugs: What We Know & What We Still Must Learn by Ross et al - while scientific, article breaks down drugs into sections one by one
Effects of Substance Use During Pregnancy by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker, author in ORPARC's library
Fentanyl Guide by ODHS Child Safety Program
Fostering Children Addicted to Methamphetamines/Opiates/Alcohol by TheraPlay
Helping Kids with a History of Prenatal Substance Exposure by Dr. Stacey Blythe
Innocent Faces of Fentanyl: Opioid Use Linked to Distinct Birth Anomalies by Neuroscience News
Intervention IDEAs for Infants, Toddlers, Children, & Youth Impacted by Opioids by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs
Myths of Prenatal Alcohol and Drug Exposure by Creating a Family
New syndrome in newborns exposed to fentanyl possibly found by NBC
Nurturing Touch Strategies by Ohio Child Welfare
Opioid use during pregnancy can cause long-lasting impairment in the infant's brain by Emily Henderson, News Medical Sciences
Prenatal Drug and Alcohol Exposures in Adoption by Drs. Julien Davies and Julia Bledsoe - breaks down multiple drugs and impacts
Prenatal Exposure by Creating a Family
- Common Symptoms of Prenatal Exposure & What Parents Can Do About Them
- Establishing Daily Routines for a Child With Prentatal Substance Exposure
- Explaining Prenatal Exposure to Your Child
- Part I: Parenting Babies Through Elementary Ages
- Part II: Parenting Tweens & Teens
Prenatal exposure to opioids may alter brain development: study by Dr. Brian Goldman, CBC
Prenatal Substance Exposure: Long Term Effects by American Academy of Pediatrics
Sensory Supports - an ORPARC Resource page
Substance Use/Addictions - an ORPARC Resource page
Using Infant Massage With Foster Parents by Dr. Cheryl Pratt
Waiting Families Education: Adoption and Prenatal Exposure by Adoption Associates - articles and more, including the birth parent perspective
What are some developmentally appropriate interventions for infants & children affected by prenatal substance exposure? by Casey Family Programs
What You Must Know when Adopting or Fostering an Opiate-Exposed Baby by Creating a Family

Culturally-specific

The Racialized Nature of Child Welfare Policies and the Social Control of Black Bodies by Harp & Bunting, NLM
Racism Hurts Mome & Babies by National Partnership for Women & Families
Tapping Tribal Wisdom: Providing Collaborative Care for Native Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders & Their Infants by National Center on Substance Use & Child Welfare
What Drives Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Prenatal Care for Expectant Mothers by SSN

Videos & Podcasts

Creating a Family Podcasts
- Accepting an Adoption Match with Opiates, Methadone or Hepatitis with Dr. Julia Bledsoe
- Impact of Prenatal Exposure by Dr. Julian Davies
- Parenting a Child with Prenatal Exposure with Dr. Mona Delahooke
Dr. Ira Chasnoff (videos)
- NTI Upstream
- Prenatal Opiate Exposure
Help for Grandfamilies Impacted by Opioids and Other Substance Use by Generations United (video)
The Impact of Prenatal Trauma on Children with Stacey Gagnon by Adoption Wise Podcast
Making Sense of Behaviors that Result from Drug & Alcohol Exposure Before Birth with Dr. Ira Chasnoff by The Honestly Adoption Podcast
Practical Tips for Raising Kids with Prenatal Alcohol & Drug Exposure with Dr. Robin Gurwitsch - free course courtsey of Jockey!
Prenatal Exposure Early Treatment by Dr. Kiti Freier Randall (video)
Serve & Return with Richard Rose (video)

Featured Favorites

FASD expert & adoptive parent Eileen Devine joins Robyn Gobbel in FASD & Other Drug Effects

A Caregiver's Guide to Drug-Exposed Infants by Barbara Drennen

and Caring for Drug-Exposed Infants by Barbara Drennen

The Mystery of Risk: Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy, & the Vulnerable Child by Ira Chasnoff

Caring for Babies with Prenatal Substance Exposure by Safe Babies Program

Sensory Needs packet by ORPARC

The Never-Ending Joys of Parenting: Adopting and Fostering Kids by Jim McConnell

Making a Difference: Caring for the Infant Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol & Drugs by Ira Chasnoff

Ghosts from the Nursery: Tracing the Roots of Violence by Robin Karr-Morse