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Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy

Table of Contents


Overview

One of the most important things you can do when you're pregnant is to avoid alcohol and drugs. During pregnancy, everything you eat, drink, or take into your body affects you and your growing baby. Using alcohol or drugs while you're pregnant can cause serious problems. It can cause problems for you during your pregnancy and when it is time for your baby to be born. It can also affect your baby both before and after birth.

The best time to stop using alcohol and drugs is before you get pregnant. But sometimes pregnancy is unexpected. Drugs and alcohol can harm your baby in the first weeks of pregnancy, so the sooner you can stop, the better.

Risks of substance use during pregnancy

Substance

Possible effect on mother

Possible effect on fetus or baby

Alcohol

  • Lack of certain vitamins
  • Miscarriage
  • Stillbirth
  • Low birth weight
  • Intellectual disability
  • Heart problems
  • Learning and behavior problems
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome

Cocaine

  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations
  • Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
  • Breathing problems
  • Heart problems
  • Placenta abruptio
  • Miscarriage
  • Stillbirth
  • Certain birth defects
  • Low birth weight

Ecstasy

  • Effects not known
  • Delayed motor skills
  • Learning problems

Heroin or opioids

  • High blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia)
  • Bleeding in the third trimester
  • Placenta abruptio
  • Breech birth
  • Seizures
  • Withdrawal symptoms after birth
  • Breathing problems
  • Low birth weight
  • Physical and mental development problems

Inhalants

  • Life-threatening breathing problems
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Coma
  • Low birth weight
  • Problems with how bones form
  • Learning problems

Marijuana

  • Early (preterm) labor
  • Low birth weight
  • Learning and development problems

Methamphetamine

  • Stroke
  • Brain damage
  • Miscarriage
  • Placenta abruption
  • Low birth weight
  • Learning and memory problems

PCP or LSD

  • Confusion
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Risk of overdose
  • Certain birth defects

Getting help to stop using alcohol or drugs

If you use alcohol or drugs, quit or cut back as much as you can. It's safest not to use them at all. If you have a hard time quitting or cutting back on your own, treatment can help.

Here are some things you can do.

If you or someone you know uses opioids, cocaine, meth, or other drugs, keep a naloxone (Narcan) kit with you at all times. Make sure that your family and friends know you have a kit. Tell them how and when to use it.


Credits for Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy

Current as of: July 10, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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