About this part

This section will help you understand:

• the ways an unborn baby can be harmed when alcohol and other drugs cross the placenta
• foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
• the needs of babies born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders  and neonatal abstinence syndrome and how to support their parents
• the shame, stigma and barriers to services for women and how you can alleviate them
• how to talk to women about substance use and support needs
• how you can be useful to women and reduce risk during the prenatal period
• the support, information and education a woman may need about alcohol and other drugs use and about breastfeeding and safe-sleeping practices
• how to help men connect with their role as a father and support their partner
• what to consider for a baby to safely go home from hospital.