About Pregnancy, Alcohol & Drugs

A typical pregnancy can last 40 weeks. During this nine-month period, the pregnant woman must visit a family practitioner or obstetrician to monitor the health of the fetus as well as check the progress of the pregnancy. Women who are taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs must undergo additional care to check that the fetus is not experiencing effects as a result of the medication. Alcohol use should be limited if not restricted all together and illegal drugs should never been used during pregnancy.

Statistics

According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, "About 90 percent of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy." This statistic correlates to evidence regarding the frequency at which drug and alcohol use can lead to birth defects in children. "About 2 to 3 percent of all birth defects result from the use of drugs other than alcohol," reports Merck.

Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs

Some medications (over-the counter and prescription drugs) can lead to birth defects as well as miscarriage. The most common effects on a fetus when using prescription drugs during a pregnancy include irritability, shaking and exaggerated reflexes in the newborn (as seen with anti-anxiety drug use), Gray baby syndrome, a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency that prohibits the breakdown of red blood cells (as seen with antibiotic drug use) and miscarriage (as seen with anticonvulsant drug use), according to Merck. All over-the-counter drug use should be limited unless necessary for the health of the mother and the fetus.

Street Drugs

Street drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin are illegal and should not be used during pregnancy. Marijuana, like tobacco, contains toxins that prevent oxygen from reaching the fetus. Common effects include miscarriage, low birth-weight, premature births, developmental delays and behavioral and learning problems, according to AmericanPregnancy.org. Cocaine use during pregnancy can lead to premature births, low birth-weight and babies born with smaller heads and smaller brains proportionate to body size. Heroine use during pregnancy can lead to respiratory problems, infection and withdrawal symptoms after birth.

Alcohol

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), a pattern of mental and physical defects that result from alcohol use during pregnancy, is not the only effect alcohol can have on a fetus. Other potential dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy include small body size and weight; slower than normal development and failure to show any progress; deformed ribs and sternum; curved spine and hip dislocations; bent, fused, webbed or missing fingers or toes; limited movement of joints; small head and facial abnormalities.

Warning

Over-the-counter medication (including vitamins and medicinal herbs) should be administered or used as directed by a physician and should never be consumed without a health care practitioner examining its effects on the pregnant woman and her fetus.

References

• Merck
• American Pregnancy
• Steady Health

Resources

• Berkeley Parents Network