Pregnancy and Substance Abuse
A lot of people may have a difficult time understanding that pregnancy and substance abuse abound in any society today. Some pregnant women make use of illicit drugs that may include cocaine, marijuana as well as ecstasy or amphetamines. These pregnant women may be aware of the dangers of these drugs not only to themselves but to their unborn babies as well. However, they cannot stop the urge to indulge in their addiction. Babies may come out prematurely while other babies may be born with defects. Babies may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they are born. Other babies may have learning as well as behavioral problems as they grow. At times, the abuse of these substances by pregnant women can be fatal for their babies as well.
Pregnancy and substance abuse also cover women who take in alcohol and smoke tobacco. Pregnant women who are addicted to drugs may also be into alcohol and tobacco abuse. The effects of all of these substances on the unborn child may be very serious. Marijuana may be the most used substance by pregnant women. This substance may slow down the growth and the development of the fetus. Babies who are exposed to marijuana before birth may exhibit excessive crying and trembling. They may also show signs of withdrawal from the substance when they are born.
Pregnancy and substance abuse also include the use of ecstasy and amphetamines. Some studies have shown that babies who are exposed to these may be born with congenital heart defects. The weight of the babies at birth may be lower than the normal range and they may also have smaller head circumference than the normal size. Children with smaller head size are believed to have more learning problems as they grow. Methamphetamines may cause some complications such as problems with the placenta. Other physical defects may include cleft palate though there are still no proofs as to this defect.
Pregnancy and substance abuse such as heroin also contribute to complications and birth defects. Babies also show other signs of substance exposure such as trembling and diarrhea. They may also experience vomiting, irritability as well as incessant crying or some seizure episodes. Babies are also at a risk of sudden death. Pregnant women who make use of cocaine have a higher chance of having a miscarriage or undergo preterm labor. Their babies are at risk of having learning disabilities. Babies may also be at risk of mental retardation as well as cerebral palsy.
There are still other substances that are abused by pregnant women aside from these. Though women may have a choice as to the lifestyle they would like to live, that sad part is that their babies do not have this privilege of choosing. It would all depend on their mothers and the chance that they would like to give to their babies to have healthy and normal lives. Pregnancy and substance abuse is something that mothers should think about. Pregnant women live, sleep and eat not only for themselves but also for the unborn inside their wombs.
