Drug Abuse During PregnancyWhen a woman is pregnant it is very important for her to maintain a healthy lifestyle for both herself and her baby. Drug abuse during pregnancy can not only harm the mother but it can seriously damage the developing baby. All illegal drugs are harmful to baby and mother during pregnancy. Drug abuse during pregnancy of drugs such as stimulants like Methamphetamine and Cocaine can lead to miscarriage and place a lot of stress on the baby's organs as well as the mothers. Because these particular drugs are also addictive, the baby may be born with an addiction to stimulants and undergo a painful and stressful withdrawal period after being born. Babies born addicted to these substances can suffer from muscle spasm, difficulty in the sucking motion and have problems sleeping. These drugs can also cause the malformation of organs and limbs and cause the birth of a still born child. Drug abuse of heavy narcotics during pregnancy such as Heroin can also cause the baby to be born with an addiction and undergo terrible withdrawal symptoms after birth. These babies are usually born with low birth weight, breathing problems, low blood sugar and can suffer internal bleeding. Abuse of this type of drug during pregnancy can also lead to a baby infected with the HIV virus as often these types of drugs are injected. Alcohol is a drug and should be avoided during pregnancy. Abuse of alcohol during pregnancy can cause the birth defect 'fetal alcohol syndrome' which causes facial features to be disfigured and can also cause mental retardation and heart defects. Even the use of small amounts of alcohol, especially in early pregnancy should be avoided. Drug abuse during pregnancy can also be the use of over the counter or prescription drugs. A woman should always talk to her health care provider before taking any kind of medication when pregnant. Even the use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can interfere with blood clotting and increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding and cause miscarriage. The responsibility of another human life is in the hands of a pregnant woman and drug abuse during pregnancy not only jeopardizes the life of the mother but the baby as well. There can be serious long-lasting harmful effects to an unborn child if a woman abuses drugs during pregnancy. If a woman has a drug abuse problem, then she should very seriously consider the consequences to her unborn child before becoming pregnant. If you are pregnant be aware that drug abuse during pregnancy needs to be avoided at all costs. |