Different substance

abuse and their

effects to
pregnancy and
fetus
Submitted To:
Ms. Rowena Ang R.N.

Submitted By:
Ms. Ana Marie V. Busa
BSN II-C
 Alcohol

Effects to Pregnancy:
 Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs for pregnant women,
especially in the early weeks. In the mother’s body, alcohol breaks down
chemically to a cell-damaging compound that is readily absorbed by the
fetus.

Effects to the Fetus:

 Heavy drinking during early pregnancy greatly increases the risk of a

cluster of birth defects known as fetal alcohol syndrome. This cluster
includes a small skull (microcephaly), abnormal facial features, and heart
defects, often accompanied by impeded growth and mental retardation.
 Heavy drinking in later pregnancy may also impede growth.

Tobacco

Effects to Pregnancy:

 Smoking during pregnancy appears to raise the risk of miscarriage or

premature labor.
 Smoking women have an increased risk of placental complications and
stillbirths.
 Spontaneous abortions are two times as great among smokers.

Effects to the Fetus:

 Primary danger is hindered fetal growth. Nicotine depresses the appetite

at a time when a woman should be gaining weight, and smoking reduces
the ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen. The fetus, deprived of sufficient
nourishment and oxygen, may not grow as fast or as much as it should.
 Fetal and infant mortality
 Low Fetal birthweight
 Childhood respiratory disease
 Increasing the blood pressure and respiratory rate of the developing fetus.
 Exposure to nicotine before birth also plays a role in negative behaviors of
developing children. The babies of smokers tend to be more irritable, have
less ability to control their behavior, and display a general lack of interest.

Marijuana

Common names: pot, weed, grass and reefer

Effects to Pregnancy:
  Smoking Marijuana during pregnancy appears to raise the risk of
miscarriage or premature labor.
 Women who have smoked Marijuana have an increased risk of placental
complications and stillbirths.
 Spontaneous abortions are two times as great among Marijuana smokers.

Effects to the Fetus:

 Smoking marijuana increases the levels of carbon monoxide and carbon

dioxide in the blood, which reduces the oxygen supply to the baby.
 Smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chance of
miscarriage, low birth-weight, premature births, developmental delays, and
behavioral and learning problems.
 Marijuana, like cigarette smoke, contains toxins that keep your baby from
getting the proper supply of oxygen that he or she needs to grow.

Cocaine

Common names: bump, toot, C, coke, crack, flake, snow, and candy

Effects to Pregnancy:
 Women who use cocaine during their pregnancy have a 25 % increased
chance of premature labor. The increased levels of norepinephrine can
lead to increased uterine contractility and premature labor.
 Cocaine decreases blood flow to the placenta and fetus. This causes
higher rates of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth.
 Later in pregnancy, cocaine use can cause Abruptio Placenta. Abruptio
Placenta can lead to severe bleeding, preterm birth, and fetal death.

Effects to the Fetus:

 During the early months of pregnancy, cocaine exposure may increase the
risk of miscarriage.
 Birth defect appears to be greater when the mother has used cocaine
frequently during pregnancy.
 Babies who are exposed to cocaine later in pregnancy may be born
dependent and suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as tremors,
sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and feeding difficulties.
 Some experts believe that learning difficulties may result as the child gets
older. Defects of the genitals, kidneys, and brain are also possible.
 The elimination of cocaine is slower in a fetus than in an adult. This means
that cocaine remains in the baby's body much longer than it does in your
body.
 Fetal effects include decreased birthweight, length, and head
circumference, as well as dozens of behaviorial problems, such as
 hyperactivity, poor feeding and sleeping patterns, irritability, and an
increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Heroin

Common names: horse, smack, junk, and H-stuff

Effects to Pregnancy:

 Heavy narcotics use increases the danger of premature birth.

 Women who inject narcotics may become infected with the HIV virus from
dirty needles and may subsequently develop AIDS. HIV-infected women
obviously run a high risk of passing the virus on to their babies.

Effects to the Fetus:

 Using heroin during pregnancy increases the chance of premature birth,

low birth weight, breathing difficulties, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
bleeding within the brain (intracranial hemorrhage), and infant death.
 Babies can also be born addicted to heroin and can suffer from withdrawal
symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, convulsions, diarrhea,
fever, sleep abnormalities, and joint stiffness.
 Mothers who inject narcotics are more susceptible to HIV, which can be
passed to their unborn children.
 Heroin is a very addictive drug that crosses the placenta to the baby.
Because this drug is so addictive, the unborn baby can become
dependent on the drug.

PCP & LSD

Common names: phencyclidine, or angel dust

Effects to Pregnancy:

 PCP and LSD are hallucinogens. Both PCP and LSD users can behave
violently, which may harm to the baby if the mother hurts herself.

Effects to the Fetus:

 PCP use during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, poor muscle
control, brain damage, and withdrawal syndrome if used frequently.
 Withdrawal symptoms include lethargy, alternating with tremors.
 LSD can lead to birth defects if used frequently.

Methamphetamine

Common names: meth, speed, crystal, glass, and crank

Effects to Pregnancy:
 Methamphetamine is chemically related to amphetamine, which causes
the heart rate of the mother and baby to increase.
 Methamphetamine can also increase the likelihood of premature labor,
miscarriage, and placental abruption.

Effects to the Fetus:

 Taking methamphetamine during pregnancy can result in problems similar
to those seen with the use of cocaine in pregnancy. The use of speed can
cause the baby to get less oxygen, which can lead to a small baby at birth.
 Babies can be born addicted to methamphetamine and suffer withdrawal
symptoms that include tremors, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and
feeding difficulties.
 Some experts believe that learning difficulties may result as the child gets
older.