Dozens of newborns

DOZENS of newborns in Greater Manchester were affected by their mother’s drug use last year, the M.E.N. can reveal.

Exclusive figures from the NHS have revealed that 35 babies in Greater Manchester were born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in 2017-18.

The number includes babies born addicted to drugs themselves because of their mother’s drug use, and those suffering from issues such as low birth weight and developmental problems.

Jane Simons, Head of Nursing at Addaction, said: “When mothers use substances during pregnancy they can cross the placenta and cause harm to the unborn baby.

“Mothers who use substances during pregnancy often experience overwhelming guilt. Punishing them only serves to impact their relationship with the developing baby and can prevent them from accessing help.

“The earlier parents seek support the more positive the results are for both the mother and the baby. That’s why creating a non-judgmental environment is vital to reducing harm.

”Engaging drug misusing partners in treatment has also been shown to help mothers reduce their substance use. These statistics, while worrying, also need to be considered in context. Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of pregnancy related morbidity and mortality. And alcohol is the leading preventable cause of developmental and intellectual disabilities. Pregnant women who use substances deserve empathy,