The Risks of Substance Abuse During Pregnancy
Back to the document's frontpageThe lifetime deficits on the growing child of a few months of drug or alcohol abuse by the mother are both profound and very sad.
The teratogenic effects of diverse drugs and alcohol are far too many to be listed within the scope of this article, but can include organ damage, low birth rates, an increased risk of premature delivery, infant addiction and corresponding withdrawal, physical birth defects and behavioral and learning disabilities throughout life.
Due to drug abuse, many women have irregular menstruations and may not even become aware of their pregnancy for many months. Because the first trimester is the period of greatest risk for exposure to teratogens, this is very problematic. Also, drug or alcohol abusing mothers are less likely to get appropriate and comprehensive pre natal care, take care of their body's during pregnancy, or get adequate nutrition for the growing needs of the unborn child.
Drug and alcohol abuse is uniquely devastating to both the mother and the unborn child when abuse occurs during pregnancy.
