Women who are trying to conceive while struggling with substance abuse issues have a unique set of needs. If they’re already pregnant, they’ll need even more specialized care. Drugs and alcohol directly affect fetal development, so it’s important to seek help as soon as you are able.
What are the risks of substance abuse on fertility and pregnancy?
For women who are trying to conceive, drugs and alcohol can have negative effects on their menstrual cycle, egg quality, ovarian weight, and hormonal concentration. All of these effects can make it harder for women to conceive. During pregnancy, a pregnant person and their developing baby share a bloodstream. This means that substances are shared between the pregnant person and the developing baby. A developing baby doesn’t have enough enzymes yet to constantly detoxify their blood. Repeated exposure can lead to an elevated risk for various forms of stunted development, stillbirth, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).
Getting help for substance abuse may seem daunting, but the effects of substance abuse make seeking support incredibly important.
Health plan benefits
If you’re enrolled in a Labcorp medical plan, you’ll receive coverage for different substance abuse-related services and therapies. You can reach out to PeopleCare at 888-800-4002 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm ET) or peoplecare@adp.com to learn more about your Labcorp benefits.
LifeWorks EAP
Labcorp offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) called Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS) to all employees free of charge. If you think you or a household member are having substance abuse difficulties, Optum EWS can help you find the support you need. Learn more or talk to somebody today by calling 877-370-1105, or visiting supportfinder.optum.com/labcorp (access code: labcorp).
