Deborah Howell (Host): We're learning that many women who are pregnant could benefit greatly with help from perinatal support consults for substance use. Welcome. I'm Deborah Howell and my guest is Sarah Jenkins, a perinatal social worker at the Women's Hospital. And today, we'll talk about perinatal support consults for substance use and how patients can gain access to them. Welcome, Sarah.

Sarah Jenkins: Hey, Deborah. Thanks so much for having me today. I really appreciate it.

Host: And I appreciate you carving out the time to be here. So, what are perinatal support consults for substance use?

Sarah Jenkins: Well, the perinatal support consults, it consists of a multidisciplinary team consult and the team meets with the patient during their pregnancy. So that way, they can help provide resource support, education and information to the patient and their family, in regards to different substances that may have been taken during pregnancy, whether prescribed or not prescribed?

Host: Okay, got it. And who can be referred?

Sarah Jenkins: Yeah. So, any pregnant patient that's on a medication-assisted treatment program like Suboxone or methadone, or a patient that maybe, say, they take Norco for chronic pain or a patient that uses substances illicitly, whether that be opiates, meth, heroin, anything like that, anyone that is interested can be referred to the program.

Host: And how is a patient referred to the consult program?

Sarah Jenkins: A patient can be referred to the consult program. Maybe if they hear this podcast and they think that this program could benefit them, they're welcome to discuss that with their OB provider. Or if an OB provider has a patient that would meet this criteria and they think it would be good for them, they can place a referral order in our medical charts system. They can give me a call or they can email me with referrals or questions about the program.

Host: Great. And we'll get that email address a little bit later in the podcast. Does this extend to the spouse or partner?

Sarah Jenkins: Yes. Whoever the patient would like to have as their support person, whether that be a spouse, partner, maybe their mom, maybe their sister, whoever they identify as their main support, they are welcome to come to the consult also. We encourage that so that way they can get the information as well.

Host: But the treatment extends just for the patient, not for a woman who might be concerned about her spouse.

Sarah Jenkins: Correct. I will say though, we can get into this a little bit later, you know, as my role as a social worker, if there are concerns about their spouse or another family or loved one, we would love to help meet that need. If they need something as well, I can help refer them or connect them to resources also.

Host: Great. Good to know. So, what does the multidisciplinary team consist of and how do they provide support?

Sarah Jenkins: So, our team consists of a neonatologists. They're able to inform the patient of different treatment needs for babies that maybe are exposed to various substances during their pregnancy, whether the baby stays on the hospital floor in the same room or if the baby goes into the NICU. We've also got a lactation consultant that can help support the patient with their feeding plans, answer any questions on what is safe for the patient to take, like medications, questions on breastfeeding, if you have questions about a pump, different resources that are there, they can tell them what they can offer while they're in hospital as well and postpartum. We also have a newborn and NICU educator that can go through these treatment options as well alongside with what the neo has to say and what to expect when the patient comes to deliver at the hospital.

Host: Right.

Sarah Jenkins: Yes. And they can show the patient different ways to help comfort and support the baby while they're here. And we go over, we have a packet of information for the patient that they can look at while they're here in the consult, and they can take home as well to go over it.

And then, last but not least, got the social worker, myself. You know, we're here to provide whatever help patient needs, whether that be just supportive listening, or community resources for local food banks, or maybe they're worried about getting a car seat. We can help direct them to resources in the community that can help them get the things that they need, both during the pregnancy and also during the postpartum period.

A lot of question, maybe it's a first time mom, first time parents, and their baby doesn't have a pediatrician and they don't know where to go to, so I can definitely help direct them to a list of pediatricians so they can make an informed decision and feel prepared whenever they do come to deliver.

Host: It's beautiful work that you do and what a great team to have around as someone who really, really needs it at this crucial time of her life. What's the benefit of participating in the consult program?

Sarah Jenkins: Well, the benefit is we just want moms and dads, the families, to feel supported, and we want them to feel supported in a non-judgmental way. Because having a baby, it's emotional. There's a lot going on. It's overwhelming, but it's also exciting at the same time. And we want them to feel comfortable with what to expect whenever they do come in to deliver the baby. And just set them up for success and make sure that they feel like they have what they need. It also helps with just being able to identify, you know, you see friendly faces, you've met with certain providers and staff members. And then when you come to deliver at the hospital, it's always nice to see faces that you know and gain rapport with them. And just being able to get in touch and connected with resources is really great. We try to give out a pack and play to moms if they need that. So that way, they can provide safe sleep for the baby and different items like that. So, that's definitely a benefit.

Host: Tell me more about the pack and play item.

Sarah Jenkins: Yeah. So, we definitely want parents to be successful with safe sleep. We are able to get pack and plays, if the parents are in need of one and bring them to the consult so that way they can have that, for whenever baby comes home.

Host: In case anybody listening doesn't know what a pack and play is, could you elaborate?

Sarah Jenkins: Yeah. A pack and play, it's kind of like a mini crib, so to speak, where baby can sleep safely.

Host: So, all this is good, but what followup is available to the patient during pregnancy and postpartum.

Sarah Jenkins: So, followup for mom and baby and the family in the postpartum period, myself, the social worker will call the patient throughout their pregnancy. Say, they had consults when they were 28 weeks pregnant, you know, and they may not deliver until they're 39, 40 weeks, you know, I'll continue to be in contact with them throughout the remainder of their pregnancy. And that will also transfer as mom delivers and they go home in the postpartum period.

I will check in with them doing phone calls or emails whatever they prefer to provide support, whether that be emotional support, because having a baby is a lot. It can be emotional, it's overwhelming, there's lots of stressors in life, and we all need some help, and we all need a little bit of support.

So whether that's just a mom that needs to talk for a little bit, I'm there or if she needs resources for food, "Hey, I'm low on food. Where can I go to get some things for my family and myself?" I can help with that. Or even if a patient's family member, like we said earlier, needs some help with something, I can also point them in the right direction.

So really, I just want to make sure that they're doing okay, emotionally they're doing okay, and if they need help, I can help refer them, obviously. Encourage them to talk to the provider if they need anything, and then I can help refer them to other necessary resources as well.

Host: Okay. Let's give that email address, Sarah, while we're at it.

Sarah Jenkins: Yeah. My email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. So, Sarah, that's S-A-R-A-H dot Jenkins, three, and that's the number three. And then, that's at Deaconess, D-E-A-C-O-N-E-S-S.com.

Host: Perfect. Is there anything else you'd like to add to our conversation, Sarah?

Sarah Jenkins: I think that sums it up. I'm just really grateful that you guys have had me on here and let me get the word out about this program, because we all need support and I really want these moms to feel supported during their pregnancy and after.

Host: Well, it comes across with every word you say and it's beautiful work that you're doing. Thanks so much for being with us today to help us understand more about perinatal support consults for substance use. We appreciate it.

Sarah Jenkins: Thank you so much.

Host: And that wraps up this episode of the podcast series from Deaconess, the Women's Hospital. For more info, visit deaconess.com/twh. Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and all the other Deaconess Women Hospital podcasts. For more health tips and updates, follow us on your social channels. This is the Women's Hospital, a place for all your life. I'm Deborah Howell. Thanks for listening and have yourself a great day.