Fall in the number of babies born to addicts in Shropshire
The number of babies being born to substance-addicted mothers in Shropshire has more than halved over the past three years.
Figures obtained by the Shropshire Star under a Freedom of Information request show that 52 women with addictions had babies between 2012 and the end of last year.
The women were addicted to a variety of substances, from heroin and crack cocaine to sleeping tablets. Almost half of the babies were born in 2012, with 12 born to mothers with heroin addictions, five to cannabis-addicted mothers, three to alcoholics and two each to mothers addicted to cocaine and methadone.
In 2013 there were 19 births by addicts, with heroin again being the most common substance. Six mothers were taking heroin, three cannabis, two methadone, one each sleeping tablets, amphetamine and benzodiazepine, and for three there was no information.
But last year there were just nine babies born to addicts – three addicted to methadone, two to cannabis, one each cocaine and heroin and one alcoholic, with no information on the final mother.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has procedures in place to look after babies born to women who are addicted or dependent on drugs or alcohol and the women themselves.
Pregnant women who are known to be addicted or on a monitored programme of drug management are put in contact with the neonatal service before giving birth and a plan for the baby's care is drawn up based on the type of drug and the likely severity of drug withdrawal.
