Drug Use During Pregnancy Facts

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful times in a woman’s life, and safety and wellbeing are the key things to remember to give birth to a healthy child. A pregnant woman must avoid alcohol or drug addiction to keep the unborn baby safe. A healthy lifestyle not only keeps the infant safe but also keeps the mother out of harm’s way.

If you’re planning to get pregnant but are struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, you should seek out proper addiction treatment first.

What Will Drugs Do to My Baby?

Pregnant women who are addicted to drugs like heroin, marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, hallucinogens or methamphetamines can create a lot of health risks for their babies. These are just some of the conditions that drug use during pregnancy can cause:

– Physical disability

– Premature birth

– Breathing issues

– Sudden miscarriage

– Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

– Poor fetal growth

– Low birth weight

– Issues with the placenta

– Congenital heart complications

– Clubfoot or cleft lip

If pregnant women are addicted to substances, babies can be born with health issues, birth defects, cognitive disabilities, behavioral issues and sleeping or respiratory issues. These complications can increase over the years and present an increased risk of death.

What Will Happen If I Seek Help for Substance Abuse While Pregnant?

A woman suffering from substance abuse during her pregnancy is putting her unborn baby at risk. Entering an addiction recovery program can’t guarantee a healthy pregnancy, but it can increase the odds. By participating in a medically supervised detox and addiction rehabilitation program, you could improve your health and have a positive impact on your baby.

The more healthcare and emotional support you can get during your pregnancy, the better it will be. It’s a good idea to stop using alcohol and drugs as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Quitting on your own while you are pregnant is risky, so seek professional help.

Substance Abuse During Pregnancy’s Effect on Pregnancy Outcomes

The drug-addicted lifestyle increases the possibilities of unhealthy childbirth. According to the research studies done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance abuse during pregnancy maximizes the chances of several different complications.

– Low Birth Weight: During pregnancy, if a woman uses illicit drugs, it can influence the low birth weight of the newly born baby. The baby’s weight could be less than five pounds, and the child could suffer from cardiovascular issues, respiratory issues, vision issues, and intestinal problems. In the future, the baby can also experience diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease because of the mother’s drug use during pregnancy.

– Small Head Circumference: Generally, a smaller head circumference implies a poorly developed brain. The baby won’t grow properly in the womb, and its brain or skull also won’t develop.

– Growth and Behavioral Issues: Illicit substances taken during pregnancy can destroy the central nervous system of an infant. This can cause poor academic performance, drowsiness, and behavioral problems in the future.

– Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: This refers to the sudden and unexpected death of an infant who is less than one year old. Excessive use of substances by the mother increases the rate of SIDS.

People suffering from addiction also typically have poor health. They tend to neglect their wellbeing by not following a nutritious diet and taking other risks with their body and mind. Pregnancy requires the mother’s body to nourish itself and the developing life inside. Addiction makes it almost impossible to maintain a healthy pregnancy with a good outcome.

What Happens When You Do Drugs While Pregnant?

Many women suffer from loneliness or low self-esteem during pregnancy, and some turn to drugs or alcohol because it’s the only coping mechanism they know. Taking drugs during pregnancy puts a highly negative impact on the health of the prenatal child and the mother. Drugs are transmitted through the blood from the mother to the infant when it’s in the womb. The unborn child is exposed to everything the mother consumes, good and bad.

Can Alcohol and Drugs Cause a Miscarriage?

The simple answer is yes, absolutely. Alcohol intake during pregnancy causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This leads to miscarriages that occur before the 24th week of pregnancy. Excessive intake of drugs contributes to the death of an unborn child.

If substance abuse has been in your life leading up to getting pregnant, there’s a chance it could still be a problem. And as much as a woman may want to abstain from drugs and alcohol during this time, they may feel as if they can’t stop on their own.

If you’re having this problem, contact Tranquil Shores today. Treatment is available and can help you get on the road to a healthy pregnancy without substances. At Tranquil Shores, you can reclaim your life!

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