Find a Health Topic

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M  
N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   XYZ   List of All Topics

Drug Abuse In Pregnancy




Pregnant women who use illicit drugs may engage in other unhealthy behaviors that place their pregnancy at risk, such as having extremely poor nutrition. All of these factors make it difficult to know exactly what the effects of illicit drugs are on pregnancy.

Nearly 4 percent of pregnant women use illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy and other amphetamines, and heroin, according to a 2005 government survey. These and other illicit drugs may pose various risks for pregnant women and their babies. Some of these drugs can cause a baby to be born too small or too soon, or to have withdrawal symptoms, birth defects, or learning and behavioral problems.

What are the risks with use of marijuana during pregnancy?

Some studies suggest that use of marijuana during pregnancy may slow fetal growth and slightly decrease the length of pregnancy (possibly increasing the risk of premature delivery). These effects are seen mainly in women who use marijuana regularly.

After delivery, some babies who were regularly exposed to marijuana before birth appear to undergo withdrawal-like symptoms, including excessive crying and trembling.

Couples who are planning pregnancy should keep in mind that marijuana can reduce fertility in both men and women, making it more difficult to conceive.

Page Top

What are the risks with use of Ecstasy, methamphetamine and other amphetamines during pregnancy?

The use of Ecstasy, methamphetamine and other amphetamines has increased dramatically in recent years. To date there have been few studies on how Ecstasy may affect pregnancy. One small study did find a possible increase in congenital heart defects and, in females only, of a skeletal defect called clubfoot.

Another commonly abused amphetamine is methamphetamine, also known as speed, ice, crank and crystal meth. Even when born at term, affected babies tend to weigh less than about 5 pounds and have a smaller-than-normal head circumference.

Use of methamphetamine during pregnancy also increases the risk of pregnancy complications, such as premature delivery and placental problems

There also have been cases of birth defects, including heart defects and cleft lip/palate in exposed babies, but researchers don’t yet know whether the drug contributed to these defects. After delivery, babies who were exposed to amphetamines before birth appear to undergo withdrawal-like symptoms, including jitteriness, drowsiness and breathing problems.

Page Top

What are the risks with use of heroin during pregnancy?

Women who use heroin during pregnancy greatly increase their risk of serious pregnancy complications. These risks include poor fetal growth, premature rupture of the membranes (the bag of waters that holds the fetus breaks too soon), premature delivery and stillbirth. As many as half of all babies of heroin users are born with low birthweight. These babies, many of whom are premature, often suffer from serious health problems during the newborn period, including breathing problems, and are at increased risk of lifelong disabilities.

Use of heroin in pregnancy also may increase the risk of a variety of birth defects. What is not entirely clear is whether these effects are directly due to the drug itself or related to the poor health behaviors that women who take heroin often have, or whether these effects are due to the substances that the heroin often is mixed with when it is made.

Most babies of heroin users suffer from withdrawal symptoms after birth, including fever, sneezing, trembling, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting, continual crying and, occasionally, seizures. Babies exposed to heroin before birth also face an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Page Top

What are the risks with use of cocaine during pregnancy?

Cocaine use during pregnancy can affect a pregnant woman and her baby in many ways. During the early months of pregnancy, cocaine may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Later in pregnancy, it may trigger preterm labor (labor that occurs before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) or cause the baby to grow poorly. As a result, cocaine-exposed babies are more likely than unexposed babies to be born prematurely and with low birthweight (less than 5½ pounds). Premature and low-birthweight babies are at increased risk of health problems during the newborn period, lasting disabilities such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy, and even death. Cocaine-exposed babies also tend to have smaller heads, which generally reflect smaller brains

Page Top

What are the risks of inhaling glues and solvents during pregnancy?

Individuals, pregnant or not, who inhale these substances risk liver, kidney and brain damage and even death. Abusing these substances during pregnancy can contribute to miscarriage, slow fetal growth, preterm birth and birth defects.

Page Top

How can a woman protect her baby from the dangers of illicit drugs?

Birth defects and other problems caused by illicit drugs are completely preventable. Women who use illicit drugs to stop before they become pregnant or to delay pregnancy until they believe they can avoid the drug completely throughout pregnancy.

Pregnant women who use illicit drugs (with the exception of heroin) should stop using the drug immediately, because of the harm continued drug use may cause. Women who use heroin should consult their health care provider or a drug treatment center about methadone treatment.

Page Top

Information obtained from National Institute of Health
Library | Products | Service | Affiliates | Home