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Feminist ethics must inform practice: interventions with perinatal substance users
1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. smarcellus@telus.net
Health Care for Women International
|September 17, 2004
Summary
Substance use in pregnancy requires voluntary, supportive treatment. Mandatory interventions risk fetal health by deterring women from seeking care, highlighting the need for accessible, context-aware maternal health services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Women's Health
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Substance use during pregnancy presents significant global health and social challenges.
- Treatment approaches range from voluntary health promotion to mandatory interventions.
- Existing approaches often overlook women's contextual realities and systemic oppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore a feminist ethic perspective on substance use treatment for pregnant women.
- To analyze the implications of mandatory versus voluntary treatment models.
- To advocate for an integrated approach supporting both maternal autonomy and fetal well-being.
Main Methods:
- Feminist ethical analysis of autonomy in the context of pregnancy and substance use.
- Review of current treatment paradigms and their impact on maternal-fetal outcomes.
- Conceptualization of an embodied maternal-fetal relationship model for treatment.
Main Results:
- Mandatory treatment approaches are not linked to improved fetal outcomes and may increase risks.
- Fear of punitive measures deters women from accessing essential health services.
- A feminist ethic highlights the importance of considering women's lived experiences, access barriers, and systemic oppression.
Conclusions:
- Voluntary, context-sensitive treatment is crucial for pregnant women with substance use issues.
- Punitive approaches can negatively impact maternal engagement with healthcare and fetal health.
- An embodied, common-ground approach supporting women and ensuring fetal health is recommended.