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ATTENTION: road construction at our Spokane Valley location.
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Harmful Substances

Alcohol

Alcohol is generally considered unsafe in pregnancy. There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Alcohol exposure in pregnancy can cause developmental problems in the fetus that are lifelong. 
 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

FAS is a disorder caused by exposure to alcohol use in pregnancy.  It is associated with growth problems, mental disability, and behavioral issues.  FAS occurs most often when a pregnant individual drinks heavily. 

 

Smoking

Smoking, nicotine, vaping and marijuana are not recommended in pregnancy. 
 

Nicotine

Nicotine permanently damages a fetus’s lungs and brain.  Nicotine also decreases blood supply to the fetus affecting oxygen and nutrient delivery to the baby through the placenta.
 
Risks to the baby with tobacco smoke in pregnancy:

  • Preterm delivery 
  • Delayed growth
  • Birth defects such as cleft lip and palate
  • Higher rate of still birth
  • Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • Increased risk of obesity, diabetes and asthma
  • Increase risk of behavioral issues in children such as ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder)

 
These risks are also present for significant exposure to second hand smoke in pregnancy. 
 
If you use nicotine in the form of tobacco smoke or vaping it is recommended that you quit or cut down as much as possible.  Please consult with your provider as we can help give tools and information to help you quit if you desire. 

 

Marijuana

Use of marijuana has also been shown to increase the risk of premature delivery, still birth and ADHD when the baby is exposed in pregnancy. 

 

Illicit drugs

Illicit drugs including methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl can cause serious side effects in pregnancy.  It is not recommended that you use these substances but if you are using them and find yourself pregnant, please seek help right away.  Let us know if you are using these substances so that we can help you and your baby. 

 

Opioids

are often used to treat pain. If you are taking opioids in pregnancy under the direction of a doctor, they are considered safe for you and your baby.  You should only take opioids as prescribed. 

 

Opioid use disorder

Some people using opioids develop an addiction to the drug and have difficulty stopping their use.  The misuse of opioids can cause serious complications to your pregnancy including placental problems, fetal growth problems and preterm birth.  There is also a chance that your baby will also become dependent on the opioids and go through withdrawal after birth. This is called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).  

 

Treatment of Opioid use disorder

Methadone and buprenorphine are the most common medications used to treat opioid use disorder.  Both are safe in pregnancy and have not been found to cause birth defects. 

 

Resources to help:

Quit Smoking Hotline:  1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:  1-800-662-HELP (4357) www.samhsa.gov
 
Smoke Free Website:  www.smokefree.gov
 
Spokane Regional Opioid Task Force:  www.drugpreventionspokane.org

Back to General Obstetrics

Our
 Locations

We are conveniently located Downtown Spokane in the Doctors Building and in the Spokane Valley. You can request an appointment online for either location.

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Downtown Spokane

Sacred Heart Doctors Building
105 W. 8th Avenue, Suite 6060
Spokane, WA 99204

(509) 838-4211 | GET DIRECTIONS

Spokane Valley

Valley Mission Professional Building
12509 East Mission Avenue, Suite 201
Spokane Valley, WA 99216

(509) 928-2866 | GET DIRECTIONS

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Construction Notice

The City of Spokane Valley is improving the Pines & Mission Intersection near our Spokane Valley location. 

Starting April 15th, 2024, most of the work will happen between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM, with some daytime work too.

They’ll try to limit traffic disruptions, keeping the intersection open and businesses accessible but please plan accordingly when visiting our Spokane Valley office.

Click below for more details:

We can expect minor traffic changes mostly around the northeast and southeast corners of the intersection. This involves digging for the wall, upgrading traffic and pedestrian signals at Pines & Mission intersection, and improving its northeast and southeast corners.

Traffic revisions involve closing westbound Mission Avenue and the northwest shoulder of Pines Road near the 190 offramp, with ongoing modifications to traffic signals, retaining wall construction, sidewalk improvements along northwest Mission Ave, and prep work for repaving Pines Road and Mission Ave.

Traffic changes will close westbound Mission Avenue and part of the northwest Pines shoulder, limit center lanes on the east side of Mission and the south of Pines, pave parts of Mission Avenue and Pines Road, and reconstruct the traffic island at the Pines Road and Mission Avenue intersection.

Mission Avenue will be fully closed from the Pines intersection westbound to just before Applebee’s parking lot’s west driveway, with center lane restrictions on eastbound Mission. The project involves grinding existing asphalt, paving new asphalt, adding traffic islands, installing new road markings and signs, and landscaping the northwest quadrant of Mission and Pines.

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