Drug Abuse & Pregnancy

Negative Effects of Illegal Drugs on the Fetus

The use of illegal drugs and alcohol during pregnancy are harmful not only to the pregnant mother but also to her developing fetus. Alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, crack, and other illegal drugs have all been shown to affect the development of the fetus. One of the biggest effects on the fetus of mothers using illegal drugs during pregnancy is low birth weight. It is one of the most common problems from the abuse of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy. It is also a condition that presents a host of potentially serious consequences to the health of the infant "Low birth weight is serious because it is a major cause of infant death and increases the risk of illness. It is associated with mental and physical handicaps, learning disorders, and behavior problems" (Pregnancy &, 1998, 1).

It has long been proven that abuse of illegal drugs like cocaine and alcohol cause potential health risks to the mother and the fetus. For example, cocaine or crack use have been shown to produce newborns who are addicted to the drugs. Further, the abuse of cocaine presents a higher risk of miscarriages because it can reduce the flow of blood to an unborn child causing lack of oxygen. Strokes in unborn babies have also been caused by cocaine use" (Pregnancy &, 1998, 1). Like most scientific research; however, we find in the literature that there are conflicting reports about which drugs are harmful to the fetus and actuall

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onymity was assured. Perhaps the most startling statistic from above is the percentage of women who use alcohol during pregnancy. This is because alcohol has proven through research to be one of the greatest threats to healthy fetal development. It can lead to a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome, especially if women drink during the first trimester of pregnancy. It also causes later developmental problems for the infant and child if drinking occurs during the later phases of pregnancy when the fetal brain is growing at its most rapid pace "The most obvious problems are triggered by alcohol use during the first trimester. But the neurobehavioral effects that can leave children vulnerable to hyperactivity, learning disabilities and depression occur when mothers drink during the third, or last, trimester when the brain is rapidly evolving" (Talan, 19, 1). There are links between drug use and teens, pregnancy and teens, and drug use and low intellect, poverty, and academic achievement "Early sexual experience is more likely among teenagers of lower intellectual ability and academic achievement, who lack educational goals" (Feldman and Elliott, 1993, 339). This means that more teens are getting pregnant, and more unwed t

Category: Psychology - D