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9.01.2026

Sober Moms, Healthy Babies: Help, Hope, and Healthy Beginnings

Pregnancy can bring excitement, anticipation, and hope for the future. For some women, however, it can also bring challenges, including struggles with alcohol, drugs, tobacco, nicotine, or prescription medication misuse. If you or someone you love is experiencing substance use during pregnancy, it's important to know one thing:

There is help available, and it is never too late to ask for it.

The Sober Moms, Healthy Babies program continues to connect pregnant women across Nevada with treatment, support, and resources to help them have healthier pregnancies and brighter futures for themselves and their babies. The program's message is simple: if you're pregnant and using substances, there is a safe place to get help.

Why Substance Use During Pregnancy Matters

When a pregnant woman uses alcohol, drugs, tobacco, nicotine, or certain medications, those substances can reach the developing baby through the placenta and umbilical cord. Because a baby's body and organs are still developing, exposure to these substances can increase the risk of serious health and developmental problems.

Health concerns associated with substance use during pregnancy may include:

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Developmental delays
• Learning and behavioral challenges
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a condition in which babies experience withdrawal symptoms after birth

Experts recommend avoiding alcohol and other harmful substances during pregnancy, as there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.

It's Never Too Late to Get Help

One of the most important messages from Sober Moms, Healthy Babies is that help can make a difference at any stage of pregnancy. Whether a woman has just learned she is pregnant or is nearing her due date, seeking treatment and support can improve outcomes for both mother and baby.

Many women feel embarrassed, scared, or worried about asking for help. Others may have tried treatment before and wonder if it's worth trying again.

The answer is yes.

Substance use disorders are health conditions, not personal failures. Recovery often requires support, treatment, and professional guidance. Reaching out for help is a brave and important step for both mother and child.

Pregnant Women Receive Priority Access to Treatment

Many families are surprised to learn that pregnant women receive priority admission at Nevada's state-funded substance use treatment centers. This means pregnant women seeking treatment should be given immediate priority for services rather than being placed on a waiting list.

The Sober Moms, Healthy Babies program, supported by Nevada's Maternal and Child Health Program and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency (SAPTA), works to ensure pregnant women can quickly connect with appropriate treatment and recovery resources.

If a woman encounters difficulties accessing care, additional support is available to help connect her with services.

How to Get Help

The Sober Moms, Healthy Babies website makes it easy to find support.

Women can:

• Search for treatment centers throughout Nevada.
• Learn about available programs and services.
• Read answers to frequently asked questions about substance use during pregnancy.
• Access resources for family members and loved ones who want to help.
• Call a statewide helpline for guidance and referrals.

Individuals who are unsure where to start can call the program's support line at 800-450-9530. Trained staff can help identify treatment options and connect callers with appropriate services in their community.

Supporting Someone You Love

Substance use during pregnancy affects entire families. Partners, grandparents, relatives, and friends often want to help but may not know what to say.

The Sober Moms, Healthy Babies program offers resources for loved ones who want to support someone through recovery. Rather than judging or blaming, families can encourage pregnant women to speak with healthcare providers, explore treatment options, and seek professional support.

Compassion and understanding can play an important role in helping someone take the first step toward recovery.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

If you are pregnant and have questions about alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, prescription medications, marijuana, or other substances, talk openly with your healthcare provider. Healthcare professionals can help assess risks, answer questions, and connect you with appropriate treatment and support services.

Importantly, pregnant women should not attempt to stop certain substances on their own without medical guidance. For some substances, suddenly stopping use may pose risks to both mother and baby. A healthcare provider can help determine the safest path forward.

A Healthy Future Starts with Support

At First 5 Nevada, we know that healthy beginnings matter. Every child deserves the opportunity to get the strongest possible start in life, and every parent deserves access to the help and support they need.

If you or someone you know is pregnant and using alcohol or drugs, remember:

• You are not alone.
• Help is available.
• Treatment works.
• It's never too late to seek support.

To learn more, find treatment resources, or get immediate help, visit SoberMomsHealthyBabies.org or call 800-450-9530. Nevada's network of providers is ready to help mothers and babies build healthier futures together.