The Effects of Drugs on Babies

Drugs and Babies: What a Pregnant Woman Should Know

Giving birth to a child is giving the gift of life. A gift so valuable, that no one can even come close to estimating its value. Although not always expected, children are our legacy and our very own blood. So, it goes without question that we will bestow them with love, attention and constant care. A pregnant woman may adopt a healthier lifestyle due to her pregnancy, be self-conscious of the movements done throughout her day or enroll in a maternity class to know what it’s all about. Yet no matter how many books we read on the subject or how many safety precautions we take to prevent dreadful accidents, there is a serious aspect of a pregnant woman’s life habit that must absolutely be changed. Be it occasional, for social purposes or blatantly an addiction, any pregnant woman must be aware that a continued usage or abuse of alcohol and drugs may irreversibly harm the baby.

Drug and alcohol consumption before the conception of the baby may still pose a possible concern, but an immediate halt in taking these substances remain a significant improvement. Such a decision should not only be based on the welfare of the unborn child, but also for the health and well-being of the mom-to-be. Drug addiction is a serious problem that may jeopardize the pregnancy and hinder the mother’s ability to take care of her child afterwards. Among many studies conducted by several recognized institutions, trends can be noticed showing illicit drug use and smoking by pregnant women. According to a research conducted by the 1 Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), "in 2002 and 2003, 4.3 percent of pregnant women aged 15 to 44 used illicit drugs during the past month, 4.1 percent reported binge alcohol use, and 18.0 percent reported smoking cigarettes."

In a previous study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 1994 (Figure 1), we can notice that the number of pregnant women using any illicit drugs has declined. This is a positive aspect, but in a lapse of 8 years, the numbers are still significantly high.

These statistics remain worrisome. When we consider the number of pregnant women in the United States (approximately 4 million), we can roughly calculate that the number of pregnant women using illicit drugs is approximately 172 000. Thus, we can say that 344 000 lives are jeopardized, since alcohol and drug consumption may pose risks for both the mother and the unborn child.

The predominant type of substance consumed during a woman’s pregnancy is alcohol. There are some reasonable and justifiable explanations to this. First off, the woman may not be immediately aware that she is pregnant. A couple wishing to conceive a baby can take the necessary precautions to minimize any type of risk for the baby, it is not the case for an unplanned pregnancy. Secondly, some women may not be sufficiently informed on the vast precautions and healthy habits to adopt when pregnant. Family and friends may also be of great help to inform and provide suggestions.

So, why do some pregnant women still drink alcohol? There could be several underlying reasons. A lack of information or misguidance could lead the woman to underestimate and minimize the effects the alcohol will have on her unborn child. If the pregnant woman is an alcoholic, she may be unable to quit her addiction on her own. She may also be in denial, thinking that she is simply a social or occasional drinker. However, alcohol usage during pregnancy has some grave consequences.

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