1. Pregnant Women Breathe, Eat and Drink for Two
While pregnant, any substance you ingest will cross the placenta and reach the fetus. This is true for oxygen, food, drugs and alcohol. Drug use can cause the fetus to struggle for sufficient nutrients and oxygen, leading to problems with organ development. If you are pregnant, you should refrain from smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and using illicit drugs. If you must use, try and limit your use of substances as much as possible.
2. Drugs Can Cause Permanent and Serious Damage to a Fetus
Use of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which causes a range of problems, including low birth weight, webbed or missing fingers or toes, small eye openings, organ problems and facial deformities. Smoking while pregnant increases the risk of early labor and miscarriage, and can slow the growth of the baby. Stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, can cause similar problems and also abruptio placentae (partial separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus). Use of heroin and other narcotics can cause serious problems, including hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and bleeding within the head (intracranial hemorrhage). A fetus can develop dependencies to drugs leading to withdrawal symptoms once born. While birth defects and mental retardation are often apparent at birth, some effects of drug use during pregnancy, such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems, appear later on in life.
3. The Effects of Drugs Vary
The effect a drug has on a fetus depends on the type of drug, the amount ingested and the age of the fetus. While a fetus is highly resistant to birth defects during the first couple of post-fertilization weeks, the subsequent few weeks (up to week eight) are a time of great vulnerability. This is when the organs are forming, and drug use can cause miscarriage and both severe and subtle birth defects. Once organs are developed, severe birth defects are less common, but drugs can still harm the fetus and negatively affect the growth and future use of body parts.
4. Check with Your Healthcare Provider About Any and All Drug Use
Many legal drugs can also harm a fetus. Some drugs are so toxic that they should never be used during pregnancy. Make sure you check with your medical provider before taking any drug or dietary supplement--legal or illegal, prescription or over-the-counter. There are times when medication is necessary, and a trained medical professional can help you determine the safest option.
5. Drugs Can Also Be Passed On to a Baby Through Breast Milk
You should continue to refrain from illicit drug use while breastfeeding. If you smoke, wait several hours after smoking before you breastfeed. If you want to have a drink while breastfeeding, feed your baby before you have the drink and then wait until the alcohol has left your system before you breastfeed again. Another option is to pump before you drink, so that you can stick to your normal feeding schedule without fear of passing alcohol to your infant.
