|
Home + Health Topics with A + Pregnancy and Substance Abuse
Pregnancy and Substance Abuse
When you are pregnant, you are not simply "eating for two." You also breathe and drink for two, so it is imperative to carefully consider what you give to your baby. If you smoke, use alcohol or take unlawful drugs, so does your unborn baby.
First of all, don't smoke. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to your baby. Smoke also keeps your baby from getting nourishment and raises the risk of stillbirth or untimely birth. Don't drink alcohol. There is no known safe amount of alcohol a woman can drink during pregnant. Alcohol can cause life-long physical and behavioral problems in children, as well as fetal alcohol syndrome. Don't use prohibited drugs. Using prohibited drugs may cause underweight babies, birth flaws or withdrawal symptoms after birth.
If you are pregnant and you smoke, consume alcohol or do drugs, get help. Your health care provider can suggest programs to help you quit. You and your baby will be better off.
|
