During pregnancy you must be ready to accept some life style changes. Drinking alcohol and smoking during pregnancy will affect the growing baby. Pregnancy and drug effects are also similar to drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes which are harmful for the baby. So you must be ready to quit drinking, smoking and using drugs for the welfare of both your own self and your baby. Before consuming illegal drugs think twice about the pregnancy and drug effects. Research shows that pregnancy and drug effects are many such as premature labor, abortion, underweight baby, fetal death, placental abruption and sometimes maternal death.
What are the illegal drugs and what are Pregnancy and drug effects?
Some of the illegal drugs are marijuana, cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, PCP and LSD. Pregnancy and drug effects of Marijuana are that the drug reaches the baby through placenta. Common name for marijuana is grass, reefer, pot and weed. It also has toxins similar to cigarette smoke which obstructs the baby’s necessary oxygen supply needed for its proper growth. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide level is increased in the blood due to marijuana smoking resulting in the reduction of oxygen supply. Pregnancy and drug effect of Marijuana smoking results in premature birth, miscarriages, underweight baby, delay in development, learning and other behavioral problems. If a woman smokes marijuana before pregnancy, it won’t do much harm to the growing baby. However, once pregnancy is confirmed she must stop Marijuana smoking to avoid pregnancy and drug effects.
Pregnancy and drug effects of cocaine are same as marijuana smoking. Just like marijuana this also enters the baby’s circulation through placenta. In comparison to an adult, the fetus has slower elimination of cocaine. The cocaine will remain longer in the baby’s body. The risk of abortion is increased if the cocaine is taken in the earlier months of pregnancy. The information given by the Organization of technology Information Services is that in later stages of pregnancy adverse effects of cocaine are severe bleeding due to placental abruption, fetal death and premature delivery. Pregnancy and drug effects of using cocaine are that the baby will be born with defects such as growth restriction and smaller head. After delivery baby will suffer withdrawal symptoms such as sleeplessness, feeding problems and muscle spasms. Baby may have defects in organs such as kidneys, brain and genitals. Pregnancy and drug effects of cocaine may be more if it is used for longer time during pregnancy.
Heroin is another illegal drug which in general term is known as junk, smack, horse and H-Stuff. Pregnancy and drug effect of Heroin is addiction. This drug heroin also reaches the baby through placenta. Since this is an addictive drug the unborn child addicted is to it and become dependent on it. Pregnancy and drug effects of heroin are also similar to other drugs. Apart from the usual defects it will increase the chances of low blood sugar, breathing problems, internal bleeding in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage) and death of the new born. As a result of pregnancy and drug effects the baby will be addicted to heroin and after delivery she will suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as diarrhea, convulsions, fever, irritability, joint stiffness and sleeping disorders. Treatment of heroin addiction is not easy.
Pregnancy and drug effects of PCP and LSD are that those women who are taking these drugs behave violently and they may hurt the baby while hurting themselves