Drugs and pregnancy
Risks of drug use
There is a much greater chance of complications during pregnancy and birth if you use alcohol and / or drugs during that period. Use of alcohol and drugs during pregnancy can seriously disrupt the development of the baby. It can create dangerous situations and, for example, cause growth retardation in the baby. In later life, the effects of drug use can still be seen in the child, sometimes even for life. In this way the child can have a permanent disability in the areas of behavior, emotions and intelligence. Disturbed motor skills and other physical abnormalities are often seen when the woman has used drugs before and during pregnancy.
If you have (or have) used drugs
If you have used or are still using drugs, tell your doctor, obstetrician or gynecologist as soon as possible. This can refer you to a specialized consultation hour. The health of the baby will be checked with more regularity. It is possible that the baby is still healthy, but the risk of abnormalities has already increased.
If you want to become pregnant
The use of alcohol and drugs has a great influence on fertility. If you have used drugs in the period before you became pregnant, this can still affect the development of the baby. It is highly recommended that (long) before you become pregnant, you stop taking drugs and alcohol, this also applies to men (drug use affects the quality of the sperm).
How do alcohol and drugs affect pregnancy?
- Sperm cells and egg cells: the sperm cells must be able to move well and quickly, have a good shape and sufficient sperm cells must be present. The egg cell must also be of good quality. The use of addictive substances can have direct influences on sperm cells, ova and fertilized eggs. This can not only lead to miscarriage, but also to abnormalities in the baby.
- The fallopian tube: the cilia in the fallopian tube bring the egg to the uterus, so it is important that the cilia function properly. Drugs can affect the fallopian tubes, with the result that the fertilized egg does not arrive (in time) in the womb to settle there. It is also possible that the fertilized ovum gets stuck in the fallopian tube, so that an ectopic pregnancy occurs. This is very dangerous.
- Placenta (placenta): Many drugs and alcohol are able to pass through the barrier of the placenta from the mother to the child. For example, the drug use of the mother can influence the development of the child.
The pregnancy
The fertilized egg nestles in the wall of the uterus. The most important organs of the baby are formed in a period of about 4 weeks. The brain, the heart, kidneys, eyes, ears, also the teeth are already being constructed. After about 7 weeks the baby already has hands, feet, fingers and toes.
The first weeks of pregnancy is a very sensitive period. Everything that goes wrong during this period has (very serious) consequences for the baby. If you use drugs in this period, it can disturb the development of the baby, if it is a major developmental disorder, it can lead to a miscarriage.
All organs are developed after the first weeks (embryonic period), after that they only grow (this is the fetal period). The nervous system and the brain develop throughout the pregnancy and also afterwards. After 40 weeks the pregnancy is over and during that entire period, drugs can affect the baby and placenta.
The placenta
The placenta is connected to the baby via the umbilical cord.
This ensures that:
- the nutrients and oxygen of the mother's blood can be brought to the baby's blood.
- the waste materials and CO2 are transferred from the child's blood to the mother's blood.
- This must all happen without the blood of the baby coming into contact with the mother's blood. The placenta allows passage to some materials and denies others. Many drugs and alcohol are able to reach the baby through the placenta and thus influence the development of the baby. With a child in the womb, all functions are still under development. Even if the mother considers a quantity of drugs to be small, this can lead to abnormal development of the baby. This can even result in death for the child.
Childbirth
For a mother and baby a delivery is a very strenuous effort. They can therefore be best in good condition. Drugs and alcohol use makes childbirth for mother and child a dangerous undertaking.
Most read information articles
-
1st trimester (Bloodloss)
Many women suffer from some slight bleeding in early pregnancy. Normally, women who have had slight bleeding in the first trimester have no problems during the further pregnancy. A little blood loss can be normal, but it is sometimes a cause for conc......(135919 x) Read more » -
Stomach cramps
Babies get tummy cramps. They come and go many times. It's no fun for parents either; you can see your little one in pain, the crying doesn't seem to stop, and sometimes it seems like there's nothing you can do to help. Bowel cramps oc......(120819 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy symptoms
It is important during pregnancy to know the difference between normal symptoms and those which should be reported to your midwife or doctor. Below is a list of the most common symptoms experienced by pregnant women. Areola around the nipples get ......(85762 x) Read more » -
Mucus plug
During pregnancy, a mucous membrane forms in your uterus. The mucous membrane prevents infections of your uterus. The mucous membrane will remain in place until you give birth. When labour starts, the cervix is stretched and softer. This can c......(65728 x) Read more » -
Empty days (Breastfeeding)
If you are breastfeeding, you will probably wake up early and go to bed late in the early days. Your milk production is not yet set to your baby's demands. Moms often feel uncertain during these "empty" days; baby seems insatiable and y......(63295 x) Read more » -
Feeding
For the first six months, breastfeeding or complete infant formula will usually provide your baby with enough nutrients. The amount of food a baby needs is always different for each child. According to pediatricians, you can use the following guideli......(61558 x) Read more » -
Stillbirth (Loss)
If you lose your child after the 16th week, or your child dies during childbirth, this is officially classed as a "stillbirth". It's a tragic and often traumatic experience for parents. A mix of emotions are involved; anger, guilt, sadn......(57801 x) Read more » -
Development of the foetus
An interactive video of the development of your baby. Slide the sliders to see the growth! The first picture shows the growth from 0 to 8 weeks, the second the growth from 8 to 40 weeks. You may also like this animated gif: ......(57606 x) Read more » -
2nd trimester (Bloodloss)
Occassionaly you may have some blood loss during your second trimester. Common causes include cervical growth or inflammation. Bleeding can pose a threat to both the mother and the unborn child. The most common cause of severe vaginal blood loss duri......(55074 x) Read more » -
Teeth
First teeth Generally, babies get their first teeth between 5 and 9 months. Normally, the first two are bottom incisors, followed by the top two, then the teeth to either side. All eight cutting teeth usually come through when the baby is 8 ......(52417 x) Read more » -
Sleep (Sleep during pregnancy)
During your pregnancy, you may have more difficulty sleeping than usual. A larger abdomen, heartburn, anxiety, back pain and shortness of breath lead to less sleep. You can get frustrated about the lack of good sleep. Yet sleep is very necessary......(51168 x) Read more » -
Checklist baby outfits (Checklists)
When you're pregnant you need to spend a lot of time and money, because the new little addition to your family will need a lot more than you first think! What will you need? Well, print this handy checklist so you don't forget anything! &n......(50594 x) Read more » -
Skin changes
The increase in hormones during pregnancy as well as other factors can result in changes to your skin which can include: "Pregnancy glow" You may get a radiant glow over your face. Your face seems to blush because you have more bl......(50031 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy after 35
Women are increasingly choosing to become pregnany at a later age. This has several reasons; work and career, still busy with study or promotion, no suitable partner, financial worries. The average age at which women have their first child increased ......(46001 x) Read more » -
Breasts
Pregnancy and breast changes: During your pregnancy, your breasts are temporarily a little bigger. The following breast changes are normal: The breasts feel fuller and are more sensitive because pregnancy hormones p......(42458 x) Read more » -
Reflux in babies
Milk-spitting isn't the same as reflux Many newborns may spit out or dribble a mouthful of milk after they've been fed. They can drink more than they can handle, and some of it comes right back up. This little bit of returned is ......(42439 x) Read more » -
Gender of the baby
Dr. Landrum Shettles was a pioneer in fertility techniques. He was involved very early in experiments in which ova could be fertilized in a laboratory. He has also researched for years to influence the sex of babies. He also wrote a book about it, wh......(41874 x) Read more » -
Coughing and choking
It's well known that babies put "everything" in their mouths. They do this to explore their surroundings. Small objects can be dangerous to children (especially young children), the objects may become clogged in the trachea, res......(41424 x) Read more » -
Fluid retention (edema)
It's normal for your body to retain excess water during pregnancy. This can be on average 2 to 3 liters. In the last month, especially, this is very noticeable; symptoms include swollen hands, feet and face. Even in warm weather, you will retain ......(40523 x) Read more » -
Clustering (Breastfeeding)
Clustering is a common term within the breastfeeding world. In short, it means that a child wants to drink at a certain time of the day, or sometimes even more often, with you. Sometimes a child wants to be at the breast continuously. It is completel......(40467 x) Read more » -
Conceiving 30 tips
If you want to use a lubricant then use PreSeed. When you are dry the sperm have less chance of swimming up, PreSeed provides a comfortable environment for the sperms to swim through. Eat green leafy vegetables with plenty of folic acid, and thi......(40447 x) Read more » -
Sex (Safety during pregnancy)
Sex during pregnancy Many people worry that having sex during pregnancy will somehow harm or disturb the baby. Although perhaps the mechanics, especially as you get further on in your pregnancy, may prove challenging, there is no reason couples cann......(39429 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy tests
When can you take a pregnancy test? Urine tests can take place one day before the next period starts. Blood tests can be done at 6 to 8 days after ovulation. Pregnancy tests work by checking your urine for a hormone called human chori......(38281 x) Read more » -
Jaundice
The cause of the yellow color of the skin and mucous membranes is the substance bilirubin. This substance is released by red blood cell degradation. The baby has much more red blood cells than an adult in the womb. The red blood cells also ......(37893 x) Read more » -
Hypotension (Blood pressure)
Your blood pressure depends on age, weight and health. Average blood pressure is 120/80 (120 over 80). The first number is systolic pressure. This indicates how high the arterial pressure is and when the blood is pumped into the arteries every heart ......(37307 x) Read more » -
Pelvic instability
Experiencing pain in your pelvic region is another symptom of pregnancy and quite normal. Research shows that 50 to 60% of women suffer from pelvic pain or low back pain. Early in pregnancy, hormones make the pelvis more flexible. In addition, the......(37306 x) Read more » -
Vaginal infections (Tests before pregnancy)
Normally the vaginal discharge is whitish or slightly transparent in color and feels slimy and sticky. In pregnancy it is normal that the amount and thickness of the secretions vary greatly. Most women have more discharge than normal during pregnancy......(36800 x) Read more » -
Foreskin (Baby care)
The penis primarily consists of what could be called a stem and an acorn. The "acorn" tip is very sensitive and protected by a thin fold of skin. In some boys this covering is complete, while in other boys the covering is only partial. I......(36582 x) Read more » -
During a twin pregnancy (Twins)
Approximately 3 out of every 100 pregnancies is a twin or multiple pregnancy. Normally during your first ultrasound scan it will be determined whether you are having more than one baby although it may take the entire nine months for you to get over t......(34959 x) Read more »
Guide to rashes, bumps and spots
-
Stress & Pollution could increase attention Deficit Disorder in Children
From alexsamuel In Q&A
0 327 03/11/2020
-
Ways To Increase Fertility And Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant
From alishakapoor In Other
1 40 3 days