How Is a Fetus Affected by Drug or Alcohol Abuse?
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Harmful Activities During Pregnancy
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Pregnancy is a time in which a woman needs to take excellent care of herself in order to protect her health, and the health of her unborn child. Certain activities such as abusing drugs or alcohol can be detrimental to the health of a fetus, and need to be avoided.
Effects of Alcohol on a Fetus
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Alcohol is able to pass through the placenta and reach a fetus when a pregnant woman drinks, and this can have harmful effects on the fetus. Babies born to women who consume alcoholic beverages during pregnancy are at high risk for developing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. A baby born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome may experience mental retardation, organ and skeletal problems, developmental delays, speech and hearing problems, learning problems, and other types of physical, emotional or cognitive problems.
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Effects of Illegal Drugs on a Fetus
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The use of any kind of illegal drug during pregnancy puts both a mother and her unborn baby at extreme risk for a wide range of problems. The life of both mother and fetus are in jeopardy. Using drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroine, LSD, PCP or methamphetamine can lead to a pregnant woman having a miscarriage, experiencing placental abruption, or having her baby be born premature. Babies born to mothers who were drug abusers during pregnancy may have physical, mental or emotional problems. These babies may also be born addicted to drugs, and go through withdrawal after birth.
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