TCRHCC is pleased to announce the creation of a special clinic for pregnant women facing the challenges of drug and alcohol abuse. Based on a model developed at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, The Balancing Motherhood Clinic will provide pregnant women who are abusing drugs or have in the past with a safe, supportive environment to promote healthy drug free pregnancies.
Dr. Kathleen Harner, an Obstetrician Gynecologist who has been practicing at the TCRHCC for the last 3 ý years, recently completed her Masters degree in Public Health at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She wrote her thesis on creating this clinic at Tuba City for the benefit of Native American women facing this challenge. She will be seeing patients in the clinic with Catherine Foster, a psychiatric nurse practioner with a special interest in substance abuse.
Drug use, particularly methamphetamine abuse is a growing problem in our nation and on the reservation. Pregnant women who use drugs pose a special problem to society and the health care system, as her drug use affects both her and her fetus. Pregnancy is also a time of great motivation for healthy lifestyles for women and intervention at this time can be especially successful. It is hoped that providing extra support for women at this special time will create healthier families and communities.
For more information about Balancing Motherhood contact the Tuba City Regional Health Care System’s Women’s Clinic at (928) 283 – 2460 business hours Monday through Friday or the Labor and Delivery Unit at (928) 283 – 2630 at any other time.
# # # #
