Pregnancy and Substance Use: A Dangerous Combination

All forms ofalcohol and drugs are harmful during pregnancy.  These substances have negative effects on both the mother’s ability to nourish the fetus and on the unborn child.  During the first few weeks of pregnancy, vital organs such as the heart and brain are starting to develop.  Arm and leg buds begin to appear and the eyes begin to form.  Using drugs or alcohol during this vital time can affect the development of these basic body structures.  Later in pregnancy the fetus continues to develop by gaining weight and growing longer.  Its nervous system also starts to develop.  There are risks to using drugs or alcohol no matter the stage of pregnancy.   Here are some ways that specific drugs impact pregnancy. 

Alcohol

One of the most dangerous substances to use during pregnancy is alcohol.  When alcohol breaks down in the body it is transformed into a chemical that can be absorbed by the fetus and cause damage to its cells.  If the mother drinks heavily, the fetus can develop fetal alcohol syndrome, a cluster of symptoms including reduced skull size, abnormal facial development, heart defects, and mental retardation.  

There is some research indicating that even mild to moderate alcohol use can also have negative effects.  In particular drinking as little as one alcoholic beverage a week has been linked to lower birth weight and head circumference and has also been associated with the child’s later development of aggressive and delinquent behavior.  Most doctors recommended complete abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy and avoiding alcohol if trying to conceive. 

Marijuana

Apart from any effects that marijuana has during pregnancy, it also can reduce the possibility of getting pregnant.  Studies have shown that marijuana use reduces fertility since it decreases sperm count and seems to affect the ability of the egg and sperm to unite. 

During pregnancy smoking marijuana can negatively impact the growing fetus.  Marijuana use limits the supply of oxygen to the baby.  In turn, this affects birth weight and growth and increases the chance of miscarriage.  Studies also show that children who were exposed to marijuana during pregnancy have lower IQ, often have impaired memory problems or learning difficulties, and exhibit behavior problems. 

Cocaine and Methamphetamine

Cocaine and methamphetamine both appear to have similar affects in fetal health.  When a woman uses these substances, they cross the placenta and enter the baby’s bloodstream.  Using cocaine or methamphetamine during pregnancy increases the chance of severe bleeding, premature birth, and miscarriage.  Children who were exposed to these substances during pregnancy have lower head circumference and weight. 

Frequent use of cocaine during pregnancy increases the chance of birth defects including the possibility of malformed genitals, kidneys problems, and brain deficits.  Additionally, if a fetus is exposed to cocaine or methamphetamine late in pregnancy, the child may exhibit withdrawal symptoms such as muscle tremors, difficulty sleeping, and trouble nursing properly.  Research also shows that children who were exposed to cocaine or methamphetamine in the womb often have learning disabilities later in life.

Heroin

If a mother uses heroine during pregnancy, she exposes her child to the risk of being addicted to the drug at birth.  Once born, the child may experience the symptoms of withdrawal such as tremors, irritability, digestive problems, fever, sleep difficulties, and even convulsions.  Using heroine increases the rate of low weight at birth, premature labor, and stillbirth.  Additionally, heroine use makes lung issues, hypoglycemia, and bleeding in the brain more likely in the newborn. 

Heroine uses also poses a threat to the fetus because of its association with HIV.  Heroine users have an increased risk of contracting HIV because of shared needle use and can pass on the virus to their unborn child. 

PCP

Use of PCP during pregnancy increases the risk of brain damage, low birth weight, and problems with muscle control.  If used frequently, birth defects can result.  Taking PCP during the final weeks of pregnancy may cause the newborn to exhibit symptoms of withdrawal such as shaking and fatigue. 

Inhalants

Use of inhalants while pregnant can harm the development of the fetus.  There are some research studies which suggest that children who are exposed to inhalants during pregnancy are more likely to have low birth weight, later problems with behavior, emotion, and learning, and bone abnormalities.  Heavy use of inhalants seems to have similar effects as heavy use of alcohol during pregnancy, including the possibility of symptoms associated with fetal alcohol syndrome.