Supporting Mothers and Infants Impacted by Perinatal Substance Exposure by Meeting Them Where They Are At, and Helping Them Get to Where They Want to Be
Southcoast Health’s New Beginnings Moms Do Care Program provides services to pregnant women with substance exposure during pregnancy that are planning to deliver at Southcoast Hospitals.
Care At No Cost To Families
Our staff will provide individualized support and care at no cost to moms, babies, and families. Prior to birth, pregnant women (with opioid and other substance use exposures) are educated on substance use treatment and other services as a component of prenatal care. Partaking in substance use treatment can mitigate or prevent negative birth outcomes associated to the specific substance exposure.
Parents are essential to the health of the newborn and encouraged to participate in all aspects of their baby’s care. The New Beginnings Moms Do Care team, made up of Family Advocates, Registered Nurses, and Perinatal Recovery Coaches, facilitate this by assessing the family’s individual needs and connecting them to resources. Patients are prepared for what to expect during their hospital admission and ongoing support is provided for up to three years postpartum to promote optimal outcomes. We provide patients with information on how they can be part of the baby’s care while the baby is in the hospital. We hope to work with patients to provide care and comfort for the baby.
Your doctor or midwife can arrange for you to meet with a neonatologist (newborn specialist) before delivery so you can learn more about what to expect after your baby is born. It is also a great opportunity to ask additional questions and address any of your concerns.
Substance Exposure During Pregnancy
Certain drugs have been linked to specific problems in the baby. Individuals that have been exposed to the following substances meet the eligible criteria for the New Beginnings Moms Do Care program:
- Alcohol
- Prescribed and non-prescribed opioids
- Marijuana
- Stimulants (Amphetamines, Cocaine)
Infants exposed to certain medicines or substances during pregnancy may experience Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) which may require specialized care after delivery.
Treatment Options
Infants with NAS and NOWS are treated through non-pharmacological methods (such as rooming-in with mothers after birth, breastfeeding, swaddling, skin-to-skin time, and minimizing stimuli in the environment), as well as pharmacologic methods (medication) when warranted.
What Our Patients Are Saying – Messages of Hope and Gratitude
“Thank you for loving me and guiding me. I’m where I am now because I had this program. When I feel alone, I know your team is there if I need you.”
“We love this team so much. You all have been so sweet to us. You have helped us in so many ways, and we appreciate it. This team is our angel, and we just wanted to thank you for everything.”
“Thank you for always being there for my family and me. You have helped me from the very beginning through my darkest times. I want you to know that I wouldn’t have been able to get where I am today without your help and support. I will forever be grateful!”
“This program has truly been a blessing in disguise. Your team has brought my family and me closer than we already were… It feels good to know that I have a huge village behind me. I have all of you to thank for that.”
“Thank you for always saying such nice things about me and supporting me. I appreciate you guys so much – you are all such amazing people.”
Southcoast Health and Southcoast Physicians Group are proud to offer community-based health services in Southeastern MA and RI. Learn more about our Community Benefits’ Programs.