Using illegal drugs during pregnancy is dangerous for an unborn baby and the mother. Studies show when a pregnant woman uses illegal drugs during pregnancy it can result in miscarriage, low birth weight, premature labor, placental abruption, seizures, respiratory problems, feeding difficulties, and death of the baby and the mother.
The following information can help you understand these drugs and their harmful effects:
Marijuana
- Common slang names: pot, weed, grass, and reefer
- What happens when a pregnant woman smokes marijuana? Marijuana crosses the placenta to your baby. Marijuana, like cigarette smoke, contains toxins that keep your baby from getting the proper supply of oxygen that he or she needs to grow.
- How can marijuana affect the baby? Studies of marijuana in pregnancy are inconclusive because many women who smoke marijuana also use tobacco and alcohol. Smoking marijuana increases the levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the blood, which reduces the oxygen supply to the baby. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature births, developmental delays, and behavioral and learning problems.
- What if I smoked marijuana before I knew I was pregnant? According to Dr. Richard S. Abram, author of Will it Hurt the Baby, “occasional use of marijuana during the first trimester is unlikely to cause birth defects.” Once you are aware you are pregnant, you should stop smoking. Doing this will decrease the chance of harming your baby.
Cocaine
- Common slang names: bump, toot, C, coke, crack, flake, snow, and candy
- What happens when a pregnant woman consumes cocaine? Cocaine crosses the placenta and enters your baby’s circulation. The elimination of cocaine is slower in a fetus than in an adult. This means that cocaine remains in the baby’s body much longer than it does in your body.
- How can cocaine affect my baby? According to the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), during the early months of pregnancy cocaine exposure may increase the risk of miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, cocaine use can cause placental abruption, which can lead to severe bleeding, preterm birth, and fetal death. OTIS also states that the risk of birth defects appears to be greater when the mother has used cocaine frequently during pregnancy. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG), women who use cocaine during their pregnancy have a 25 % increased chance of premature labor. Babies born to mothers who use cocaine throughout their pregnancy may also have a smaller head and be growth restricted. Babies who are exposed to cocaine later in pregnancy may be born dependent and suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and feeding difficulties. Some experts believe that learning difficulties may result as the child gets older. Defects of the genitals, kidneys, and brain are also possible.
- What if I consumed cocaine before I knew I was pregnant? There have not been any conclusive studies done on single doses of cocaine during pregnancy. Birth defects and other side effects are usually a result of prolonged use, but because studies are inconclusive, it is best to avoid cocaine altogether. Cocaine is a very addictive drug and experimentation often leads to abuse of the drug.
Heroin
- Common slang names: horse, smack, junk, and H-stuff
- What happens when a pregnant woman uses heroin? Heroin is a very addictive drug that crosses the placenta to the baby. Because this drug is so addictive, the unborn baby can become dependent on the drug.
- How can heroin affect my baby? Using heroin during pregnancy increases the chance of premature birth, low birth weight, breathing difficulties, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), bleeding within the brain (intracranial hemorrhage), and infant death. Babies can also be born addicted to heroin and can suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, convulsions, diarrhea, fever, sleep abnormalities, and joint stiffness. Mothers who inject narcotics are more susceptible to HIV, which can be passed to their unborn children.
- What if I am addicted to heroin and I am pregnant? Treating an addiction to heroin can be complicated, especially when you are pregnant. Your healthcare provider may prescribe methadone as a form of treatment. It is best that you communicate with your healthcare provider so he or she can provide the best treatment for you and your baby.
PCP & LSD
- What happens when a pregnant woman takes PCP and LSD? PCP and LSD are hallucinogens. Both PCP and LSD users can behave violently, which may harm the baby if the mother hurts herself.
- How can PCP and LSD affect my baby? PCP use during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, poor muscle control, brain damage, and withdrawal syndrome if used frequently. Withdrawal symptoms include lethargy, alternating with tremors. LSD can lead to birth defects if used frequently.
- What if I experimented with LSD or PCP before I knew I was pregnant? No conclusive studies have been done on one-time use effects of these drugs on the fetus. It is best not to experiment if you are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
Methamphetamine
- Common slang names: meth, speed, crystal, glass, and crank
- What happens when a pregnant woman takes methamphetamine? Methamphetamine is chemically related to amphetamine, which causes the heart rate of the mother and baby to increase.
- How can methamphetamine affect my baby: Taking methamphetamine during pregnancy can result in problems similar to those seen with the use of cocaine in pregnancy. The use of speed can cause the baby to get less oxygen, which can lead to low birth weight. Methamphetamine can also increase the likelihood of premature labor, miscarriage, and placental abruption. Babies can be born addicted to methamphetamine and suffer withdrawal symptoms that include tremors, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and feeding difficulties. Some experts believe that learning difficulties may result as the child gets older.
- What if I experimented with methamphetamine before I knew I was pregnant? There have not been any significant studies done on the effect of a one-time use of methamphetamine during pregnancy. It is best not to experiment if you are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
When a newborn tests positive for drugs
Many states have expanded their civil child-welfare requirements to include illegal drug use during pregnancy as grounds for terminating parental rights in relation to child abuse and neglect.
The laws that address prenatal substance abuse are as follows:
- Reporting of abuse – In many states, including Massachusetts, Virginia, Arizona, Alaska and Illinois, it is mandatory that medical professionals who are aware of a positive drug test in a newborn report it to Child Protective Services.2 This report can lead to many consequences for the mother, including an investigation and the loss of the right to parent her child.
- Revocation of custody – In some states—such as Florida, Texas and Minnesota—a positive drug test in a newborn is considered part of the child welfare law. This fact makes it probable that social services will remove the child from the custody of the mother to prevent further abuse or neglect.
- Required treatment – In Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and other states, women who have drug-positive newborns are required to be admitted into an inpatient treatment facility to get the help they need before being able to parent their newborHow can I get help?
In addition to these potential consequences, some states enforce even stricter laws for mothers who birth children who test positive for drugs. Currently, Tennessee is the only state with a statute that specifically makes it a crime to use drugs while pregnant.
For women who get pregnant under the influence of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction, one bad or habitually bad decision making do not change the end result. Once pregnant, it is important to get the care they need to help the baby have the healthiest development possible.
To do this may mean going through a detox program to help clear the body of drugs that may harm the baby, as well as participating in inpatient or outpatient drug addiction treatment throughout the pregnancy.
Numbers that can help you locate a treatment center include:
- National Drug Help Hotline 1-800-662-4357
- National Alcohol and Drug Dependence Hopeline 1-800-622-2255
Want to Know More?
Compiled using information from the following sources:
- Organization of Teratology Information Services, https://otispregnancy.org/
Motherisk.org, https://www.motherisk.org/
American Council for Drug’s Education,
March of Dimes, https://www.marchofdimes.org/
The Alan Guttmacher Institute, https://www.guttmacher.org/ - “What Are The Unique Needs Of Pregnant Women With Substance Use Disorders?” National Institute on Drug Abuse. Accessed 13 June 2018.
- “Guidelines for Testing and Reporting Drug Exposed Newborns in Washington State.” Washington State Department of Health. Accessed 13 June 2018.
- Miranda, Leticia. “How States Handle Drug Use During Pregnancy.” ProPublica.org. Accessed 13 June 2018.
