The Concept of Caring and Its Relationship to the Pregnant Chemically Dependent Woman

Abstract

The United States is facing a major crisis caused by the impact that drug and alcohol abuse is having on families, particularly women and children. Moreover, many chemically dependent women have inadequate financial resources, lack affordable housing, and have nonmarketable job skills. Many of them are single parents with inadequate support systems. Prevention of substance abuse among women of childbearing age and early intervention in this population is needed to reduce the incidence of children born drug affected and to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. Since pregnancy is a time of change and pregnant women are more open to engage in positive health practices, nurses working with chemically dependent pregnant women are in a good position to teach and encourage health promoting behaviors and positive parenting by offering support in the form of caring behaviors when these patients come in for prenatal care. Caring for the drug dependent pregnant woman requires sensitivity and awareness on the part of the nurse of both the circumstances and feelings such a woman brings to the health-care environment. The nurse's caring and understanding can greatly influence continued participation in care.