Drug Addiction and Pregnancy
A responsible pregnant mother is unlikely to use illicit drugs, because she knows that it would harm her child. Using drugs can ruin pregnancy, even after giving birth. This is a very serious issue that all mothers should be aware of because it could destroy the lives of the innocent children.
Effects of Drug Addiction to the Mother during Pregnancy
A pregnant mother who is a drug addict can increase the risk for heart and blood infection, anemia, hepatitis, skin infections, and other infectious illnesses and disorders. There is also higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Other effects of drug addiction can be having trouble sleeping at night, poor appetite, decision making can be hard, water may break early, sudden bleeding, and premature labor.
Effects of Drug Addiction to the Mother after Pregnancy
After pregnancy, the mother may find a hard time dealing with a new born child even as simple as feeding and diapering. As far as breast feeding goes, the drug content can change the normal formulation of the milk which can be unhealthy for the baby when taken. Coping with a new born baby can be difficult because the mother is already dependent on drug which in return affects the behavior of the mother. She would have difficulty in making decision, bond with her child, or even get or hold into her job.
Effects of Drug Addiction to Child during Pregnancy
As drugs are taken, it can pass into the placenta, a body organ that gives nourishment to the baby. Most of the time it can have poisonous, toxic effect on the child and at times the addiction can be passed on the child. Another effect would be an abnormal formation of the child in the womb.
Effects of Drug Addiction to the Child after Being Born
After the child is born there could be a greater risk of birth defects but developmental and birth problems later in the child's life. This includes being dependent on drugs as well. Other effects of mothers drug addiction on the child can be low weight at birth, physical appearance abnormalities, early delivery or miscarriage, mental retardation, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Effect, heart problems and even death.
Once the child is born chances are high for dependences on the drug, the child may have a hard time without it. This eventually could lead the child developing addiction.
Drugs and its Effects
Heroin and Cocaine
These drugs are addictive and unborn babies have a higher tendencies to become addictive to it. These also leads to high risk of premature birth, still birth, low birth weight, low blood sugar, and even death to the child. Symptoms may also include diarrhea, hyperactivity, fever, convulsion, sleep abnormalities, and respiratory problems. Heroin and cocaine affects the development and behavior of the child and has the effect of having mental retardation, impaired perception, motor, and organizational skills.
Hallucinogens
This drug can greatly cause miscarriages and premature labor. Babies can have an abnormal birth development, causing them to have brain damage, inflexible and poor muscle control, and physical deformities. The child may grow up having behavioral problems as they continue his or her life.
Methamphetamines
The most common methamphetamines are Ecstasy, Speed, and Crystal Meth. In general, methamphetamines during pregnancy create higher chances to have an increase in heart rate for both the fetus and the mother. The fetus will suffer from a very shortness of oxygen which can cause miscarriage, premature labor, and low birth weight. Babies can get addicted to this drug as well, and will undergo withdrawal symptoms growing up. The brain formation of the fetus will be affected and may cause difficulty in learning later on. Marijuana
Marijuana may seem harmless because unlike any other drugs this can only be used by smoking. But this belief is so wrong. Marijuana chemicals and substances, like any other drug, passes through the mothers blood stream and crossing the placenta. Just like smoking a cigarette, it hinders the baby from receiving enough supply of oxygen for it to have a normal growth. Just like other drugs, this can cause behavioral problems as the child grows older, miscarriages, low birth weight, and premature birth.
Treatment
It is never too late for pregnant mothers who had used drugs to change and save themselves and their babies. Mothers who have taken drugs should strictly put an end to it during the first one to three months of pregnancy, or better yet, stop immediately. Putting an end to drug addiction is not an option but the only way to lead a better life you the mother and the child.