Answer to your Question

Answered By: Addiction Specialist

Answer: Cocaine crosses the placenta which is where substances in the mother's blood cross over into the fetus's blood so the amount of time cocaine stays in the fetus's system is approximately the amount of time it stays in the mother's system which, if you include active metabolites can be several days. The problems that arise from cocaine use (crack or powder) during pregnancy have to do with its effect on development of the fetus and the effects on the fetus of the vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) caused by cocaine. The fetus doesn't necessarily recover from these problems once the cocaine is out of the system. Some of the risks associated with cocaine use during pregnancy include the following:
· Spontaneous abortion
· Prematurity
· Abruptio placentae (separation of the placenta from the uterine wall)
· Fetal death
· Decreased birth weight, length, and head circumference

Answered on: January 26, 2009