Alcohol, drugs and pregnancy
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When you are pregnant it is important to take extra care of yourself. All drugs can have an effect on your pregnancy. This includes medications like painkillers, and it even includes some herbal medicines.
The safest thing to do is to not take anything without asking a doctor first.
Drugs are chemical substances which are absorbed into your blood when you swallow them, breathe them in or when you inject them. They can change the way a persons body and mind works. Almost all drugs in your blood will go through the placenta (which feeds the baby) and will affect the baby’s development. Because the unborn baby is very small and still developing it is not able to handle alcohol or drugs easily or quickly.
People take drugs for many different reasons. it might be a habit, you might take them to relax, for temporary relief from pain or boredom, to help deal with stress or to treat a medical condition.
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Common drugs include:
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- alcohol
- cigarettes
- caffeine
- painkillers, such as aspirin and paracetamol
- prescribed medicine
- tranquillisers
- and illegal drugs like marijuana, speed, heroin and cocaine.
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Medical studies have shown that most drugs, legal or illegal, if you use them when you're pregnant, can harm the growth and development of your unborn baby. They can also cause more more complications during your pregnancy, like miscarriage, still birth or early labour. Your baby can be born smaller and can experience breathing difficulties, infections, upset stomachs or withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sleeping problems, irritability and feeding problems.
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Studies have also that there is a connection between smoking and cot death.
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For Information on Drugs and Pregnancy:
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Full contact details at Links & Resources
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Or contact your nearest Community Health Service or Alcohol and Drug Service.
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