Fetal Impact of Substance Abuse Awareness Month

 

Addictions are difficult to recover from, especially if you are pregnant. Substance abuse is dangerous when a fetus is developing. Drugs and alcohol can cause a miscarriage, preterm birth, birth defects, cognitive and behavioral issues, sudden infant death syndrome, poor fetal growth, and a stillbirth. Additionally, if the baby survives, it can get withdrawal symptoms in the baby after being born. Alcohol is not safe throughout the pregnancy because the alcohol passes through the umbilical cord through the bloodstream.

Therefore, it is important to skip drinks with alcohol and drinks with caffeine while pregnant. Although alcohol is not a stimulant, it is a depressant drug that stimulates you by giving you instant energy that instantly rises down your bloodstream. It increases your heart rate. Similarly, caffeine increases your heart rate and increases the risk of pregnancy complications. However, caffeine is a stimulant that raises your blood pressure.

High blood pressure during pregnancy also causes complications for a pregnant woman and their fetus. Caffeine causes a low birth weight, miscarriage, and increases the baby’s heart rate. Substance abuse affects the fetus and passes through the placenta. The placenta gives oxygen and nourishment to a developing fetus and the umbilical cord is created through the placenta with the uterus. It takes five weeks for the umbilical cord to form with the fetus.

A baby is fully developed at thirty-nine weeks. It is best not to consume alcohol, caffeine, drugs, and other substances while pregnant and after the baby is born. Substances can be transferred through breastfeeding. Always consult with your obstetrician before consuming decaffeinated coffee and decaf teas. The entire month of January is Fetal Impact of Substance Abuse Awareness Month.

Every year in January it is necessary to take steps to take care of the health of your baby and yourself. It is recommended to take acid folic for the fetus to develop and to prevent birth defects. Do not smoke while pregnant. Remember anything you ingest gets transferred to your baby. Therefore, do not drink alcoholic beverages.

Although not all birth defects can be prevented, you can avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and drinking caffeine. Be careful in drinking herbal teas while pregnant. Additionally, do not attempt a detox treatment while being pregnant by yourself. Always consult with your primary doctor and obstetrician for guidance on recovering from an addiction. Here are resources about drug use and pregnancy.

Drug Use and Pregnancy:

https://www.webmd.com/baby/drug-use-and-pregnancy

Birth Defects-Cleveland Clinic:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12230-birth-defects

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