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Abstract: 

Up to ten percent of women entering jail are pregnant and the majority of these pregnancies are high-risk. Many of these women did not receive adequate medical care before imprisonment. They are more likely than other pregnant women to smoke, be heavy drinkers, and use illicit drugs. This article surveys the common medical problems that frequently arise in prison pregnancies and highlights the increased need for specialized prenatal care—as well as for education, counseling, and substance abuse treatment programs—that can ensure healthy outcomes for mother and child.

Keywords: Prematurity; Premature Rupture of Membranes; Preeclampsia; Placental Abruption; IUGR

Affiliations:  1: Sidelines National High Risk Pregnancy Support Network.