During Pregnancy: Illegal Drug Use

The use of illegal drugs can have devastating effects on an unborn baby. Unfortunately, the use of illegal drugs during pregnancy is not uncommon.

Like alcohol, illegal drugs are invariably passed straight to the foetus via the mother’s bloodstream. These substances are addictive and one consequence of drug use during pregnancy is that it can cause the foetus to become addicted to the drug.

There are also health issues caused by these drugs for the mother – such as skin infections, hepatitis, anemia, blood and heart infections, and other infectious diseases.

A laboratory test, called a chromatography, performed on a woman's urine can detect many illegal drugs, including marijuana and cocaine.

Marijuana is damaging to the foetus and has been linked with behavioral problems in the child.

Cocaine is thought to lead to an increased risk of premature delivery, premature detachment of the placenta, high blood pressure, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), growth defects, learning problems, uncontrollable trembling, intestinal abnormalities and hyperactivity.

Taking cocaine is one of the worst things you can do to an unborn baby.

Heroin, methadone and other opiates can cause a baby to suffer withdrawal symptoms for as long as six months.

A woman who stops taking drugs during pregnancy is more likely to have a healthy baby.