Pregnancy and Substance Use

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<div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Basics</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Summary" href="#summary">Summary</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Start Here" href="#cat_51">Start Here</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Learn More</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Specifics" href="#cat_42">Specifics</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>See, Play and Learn</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li class="noinfo-subcat">No links available</li> </ul> </div> <p class="threecols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Research</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Statistics and Research" href="#cat_79">Statistics and Research</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Clinical Trials" href="#cat_27">Clinical Trials</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Journal Articles" href="#cat_59">Journal Articles</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Resources</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Find an Expert" href="#cat_83">Find an Expert</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>For You</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Men" href="#cat_6">Men</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Patient Handouts" href="#cat_69">Patient Handouts</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="summary"></a> <section id="topsum_section"> <div class="summary-title syndicate"> <h2>Summary</h2> </div> <div id="topic-summary" class="syndicate"><p>During <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancy.html">pregnancy</a>, there are many things you can do to keep yourself and your baby healthy. They include getting regular <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/prenatalcare.html">prenatal care</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancyandnutrition.html">eating healthy</a>, and staying active. But it's also very important to avoid substances that could be harmful to you and your baby, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.</p> <p><strong>Tobacco</strong></p> <p><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/smoking.html">Smoking</a> during pregnancy passes nicotine, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/carbonmonoxidepoisoning.html">carbon monoxide</a>, and many other harmful chemicals to your baby. Nicotine is not only a health danger for you, but it can also damage your developing baby's brain and lungs. Carbon monoxide can keep the developing baby from getting enough oxygen.</p> <p>If you smoke while pregnant, it raises the risk of your baby being born <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/birthweight.html">too small</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pretermlabor.html">too early</a>, or with <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/birthdefects.html">birth defects</a>. During the first year of life, there is a higher risk of your baby dying from <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/suddeninfantdeathsyndrome.html">sudden infant death syndrome</a> (SIDS). And later in life, your child may be more likely to have health problems, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/asthma.html">asthma</a> and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/obesity.html">obesity</a>.</p> <p>Other tobacco products, including <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ecigarettes.html">e-cigarettes</a>, also contain nicotine and are not safe to use during pregnancy. And some of the flavorings used in e-cigarettes may be harmful to developing babies.</p> <p>You will also want to try to avoid <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/secondhandsmoke.html">secondhand smoke</a>, which has some of the same risks as smoking during pregnancy.</p> <p><strong>Alcohol</strong></p> <p>There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe for you to drink during pregnancy and while trying to get pregnant. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer. The risks from drinking during pregnancy include problems with the growth of the developing baby and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/fetalalcoholspectrumdisorders.html">fetal alcohol spectrum disorders</a> (FASD). FASD is a life-long condition that can cause a mix of physical, behavioral, and learning problems.</p> <p><strong>Illegal drugs</strong></p> <p>Using illegal drugs, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cocaine.html">cocaine</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/methamphetamine.html">methamphetamines</a>, and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/clubdrugs.html">club drugs</a>, during pregnancy can cause problems for both you and your baby. They may cause low birth weight babies, birth defects, or <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/miscarriage.html">miscarriage</a>. Your child may be more likely to have <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/learningdisabilities.html">learning</a> and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/developmentaldisabilities.html">developmental</a> disabilities. And if you are injecting the drugs, that puts you at risk for <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hiv.html">HIV</a>. HIV can be <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hivandpregnancy.html">passed along to your baby during pregnancy</a>.</p> <p><strong>Prescription drug misuse</strong></p> <p>Misusing <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/prescriptiondrugmisuse.html">prescription drugs</a> can also be harmful. Misuse can include taking more than your prescribed dose or taking it more often, using it to get high, or taking someone else's medicines. The possible effects of misusing a medicine during pregnancy will depend on which medicine you are misusing.</p> <p><strong>Opioids</strong></p> <p>One type of drug that is a concern during pregnancy is <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/opioidsandopioidusedisorderoud.html">opioids</a>. Opioids include strong prescription <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/painrelievers.html">pain relievers</a> such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/heroin.html">heroin</a> is also an opioid. Taking <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancyandopioids.html">opioids during pregnancy</a> can cause problems for you and your baby. The risks include birth defects, preterm birth, the loss of the baby, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS causes withdrawal symptoms in newborn babies.</p> <p>If you have pain and your health care provider suggests that you take prescription opioids during pregnancy, first discuss the risks and benefits with the provider. Then if you both decide that you need to take the opioids, you can work together to try to minimize the risks.</p> <p><strong>Cannabis (marijuana)</strong></p> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/marijuana.html" tid="317">Cannabis (marijuana)</a> is another drug that could be harmful to your baby. Some research shows that using cannabis during pregnancy is linked to developmental problems in children and teens. More research is needed, but the safest thing to do is stop using it if you are pregnant. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that people should not use cannabis while they are pregnant.<p></p> <p><strong>Getting help</strong></p> If you are pregnant and using any of these substances, contact your provider. Together you and your provider can find the right treatment to help you quit.<p></p> <p>If you are taking opioids or are addicted to drugs, don't stop taking them suddenly. That can be dangerous to you and the baby. Instead, contact your provider for help with getting off the drugs safely.</p></div> </section> <a name="cat_51"></a> <section id="cat_51_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header expanded"> <div class="section-title syndicate"> <h2>Start Here </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section51" class="section-body expanded syndicate" aria-expanded="true"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-infant-health/pregnancy-substance-abuse/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="156787" >Substance Use during Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="10350" data-org="NIAAA">Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/informacion-sobre-los-trastornos-del-espectro-alcoholico-fetal" data-sid="152626">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_42"></a> <section id="cat_42_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Specifics </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section42" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol-pregnancy/about/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="57865" >About Alcohol Use during Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/alcohol-during-pregnancy" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="104323" >Alcohol during Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (March of Dimes Foundation)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nacersano.marchofdimes.org/embarazo/el-alcohol-durante-el-embarazo.aspx" data-sid="11181">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/cocaine-pregnancy/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="92486" >Cocaine and Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://mothertobaby.org/es/hojas-informativas/la-cocaina/" data-sid="75475">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/dextroamphetamine-pregnancy/pdf/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="92350" >Dextroamphetamine and Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists)</span> - <span class="desccode">PDF</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://mothertobaby.org/es/hojas-informativas/dextroanfetamina/" data-sid="67446">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-infant-health/pregnancy-substance-abuse/e-cigarettes.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="158766" >E-Cigarettes and Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/cigarettes-and-reproductive-health.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="160691" >Health Effects of Cigarettes: Reproductive Health</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/heroin-and-pregnancy" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="112995" >Heroin and Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (March of Dimes Foundation)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nacersano.marchofdimes.org/embarazo/la-heroina-y-el-embarazo.aspx" data-sid="130252">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/marijuana-pregnancy/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="92487" >Marijuana (Cannabis) and Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://mothertobaby.org/es/hojas-informativas/marihuana/" data-sid="67445">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/drugs-pregnancy.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159888" >Recreational Drugs and Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Nemours Foundation)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/drugs-pregnancy.html" data-sid="159889">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/smoking-during-pregnancy" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="25401" >Smoking during Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="20" height="16" alt="Video" title="Video" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/videocamera.gif" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (March of Dimes Foundation)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-should-know-about-using-cannabis-including-cbd-when-pregnant-or-breastfeeding" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="139046" >What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Food and Drug Administration)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/articulos-para-el-consumidor-en-espanol/lo-que-debe-saber-acerca-del-uso-de-cannabis-incluyendo-cbd-mientras-esta-embarazada-o-amamantando" data-sid="141107">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_79"></a> <section id="cat_79_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Statistics and Research </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section79" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="31515" >PeriStats: Perinatal Statistics</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (March of Dimes Foundation)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/during/polysubstance-use.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="158830" >Polysubstance Use During Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/substance-use-in-women/substance-use-while-pregnant-breastfeeding" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="158846" data-org="NIDA">Substance Use While Pregnant and Breastfeeding</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/what-treatment-available-pregnant-mothers-their-babies" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="154248" data-org="NIDA">What Treatment Is Available for Pregnant Mothers and Their Babies?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/publicaciones/serie-de-reportes/medicamentos-para-el-tratamiento-del-trastorno-por-consumo-de-opioides/cuales-son-los-tratamientos-disponibles-para-las-mujeres-embarazadas-y" data-sid="160907">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_27"></a> <section id="cat_27_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Clinical Trials </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section27" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=pregnancy+AND+(%22drug+misuse%22+OR+alcohol+OR+tobacco+OR+smoking+OR+addiction)&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="66170" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Pregnancy and Substance Use</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_59"></a> <section id="cat_59_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Journal Articles <span class="subheading">References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)</span> </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section59" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39117994" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="20469" >Article: Trends and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes associated with stimulant-related disorder...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38773899" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="20469" >Article: Concurrent decline in teenage fertility rate and binge drinking? An observational...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38471787" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="20469" >Article: Interconnections between unintended pregnancy, alcohol and other drug use, and pregnancy,...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Pregnancy%22%5Bmajr%5D+AND+%22Substance-Related+Disorders%22%5Bmajr%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+2+Years%22+%5Bedat%5D+NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="20469" >Pregnancy and Substance Use -- see more articles</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_83"></a> <section id="cat_83_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Find an Expert </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section83" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1226" >Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cdc.gov/spanish/" data-sid="33974">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://findtreatment.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="149406" >FindTreatment.gov</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://findtreatment.gov/es" data-sid="161746">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.acog.org/womens-health/find-an-ob-gyn" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="12042" >How to Find Find an Ob-Gyn</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="102" >March of Dimes Foundation</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nacersano.marchofdimes.org/" data-sid="35571">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1432" data-org="NIAAA">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8932" data-org="NIDA">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es" data-sid="106143">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_6"></a> <section id="cat_6_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Men </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section6" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="98922" >Paternal Exposures and Pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://mothertobaby.org/es/hojas-informativas/exposiciones-paternas/" data-sid="113409">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_69"></a> <section id="cat_69_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Patient Handouts </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section69" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007454.htm" data-sid="90499" >Alcohol and pregnancy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/007454.htm" data-sid="90427">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007313.htm" data-sid="83819" >Neonatal abstinence syndrome</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/007313.htm" data-sid="85834">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="side"> <aside> <section id="ht-img-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Topic Image</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Pregnancyanddruguse.jpg" title="Pregnancy and Drug Use" alt="Pregnancy and Drug Use" /> </div> </div> </section> <section id="encyclopedia-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header red"> <h2>MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA</h2> </div> <div id="more_encyclopedia" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="90499" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007454.htm">Alcohol and pregnancy</a></li> <li><a data-sid="80160" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007238.htm">Infant of a substance-using mother</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83819" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007313.htm">Neonatal abstinence syndrome</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="related-topics"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Related Health Topics</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> <ul id="related"> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/fetalalcoholspectrumdisorders.html">Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthproblemsinpregnancy.html">Health Problems in Pregnancy</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancyandopioids.html">Pregnancy and Opioids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="primary-institute-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>National Institutes of Health</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> The primary NIH organization for research on <span class="italic">Pregnancy and Substance Use</span> is the <a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/" target="TheNewWin">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> </div> </div> </section> <section id="foreign-languages"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Other Languages</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> Find <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/languages/pregnancyandsubstanceuse.html">health information in languages other than English</a> on <em>Pregnancy and Substance Use</em> </div> </div> </section> <section> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Disclaimers</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/disclaimers.html">disclaimer</a> about external links and our <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/criteria.html">quality guidelines</a>. </div> </div> </section> </aside> </div> <div class="page-action-bottom"> <div class="page-actions"></div> </div> </article> </div> <p>The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. 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Learn about why to stay away from smoking, drinking, and illegal drugs, and how to get help.", "mainContentOfPage": "During pregnancy, there are many things you can do to keep yourself and your baby healthy. They include getting regular prenatal care, eating healthy, and staying active. But it\u0027s also very important to avoid substances that could be harmful to you and your baby, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.\u000A\u000ATobacco\u000ASmoking during pregnancy passes nicotine, carbon monoxide, and many other harmful chemicals to your baby. Nicotine is not only a health danger for you, but it can also damage your developing baby\u0027s brain and lungs. Carbon monoxide can keep the developing baby from getting enough oxygen.\u000A\u000AIf you smoke while pregnant, it raises the risk of your baby being born too small, too early, or with birth defects. During the first year of life, there is a higher risk of your baby dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). And later in life, your child may be more likely to have health problems, such as asthma and obesity.\u000A\u000AOther tobacco products, including e\u002Dcigarettes, also contain nicotine and are not safe to use during pregnancy. And some of the flavorings used in e\u002Dcigarettes may be harmful to developing babies.\u000A\u000AYou will also want to try to avoid secondhand smoke, which has some of the same risks as smoking during pregnancy.\u000A\u000AAlcohol\u000AThere is no known amount of alcohol that is safe for you to drink during pregnancy and while trying to get pregnant. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer. The risks from drinking during pregnancy include problems with the growth of the developing baby and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD is a life\u002Dlong condition that can cause a mix of physical, behavioral, and learning problems.\u000A\u000AIllegal drugs\u000AUsing illegal drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and club drugs, during pregnancy can cause problems for both you and your baby. They may cause low birth weight babies, birth defects, or miscarriage. Your child may be more likely to have learning and developmental disabilities. And if you are injecting the drugs, that puts you at risk for HIV. HIV can be passed along to your baby during pregnancy.\u000A\u000APrescription drug misuse\u000AMisusing prescription drugs can also be harmful. Misuse can include taking more than your prescribed dose or taking it more often, using it to get high, or taking someone else\u0027s medicines. The possible effects of misusing a medicine during pregnancy will depend on which medicine you are misusing.\u000A\u000AOpioids\u000AOne type of drug that is a concern during pregnancy is opioids. Opioids include strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid. Taking opioids during pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby. The risks include birth defects, preterm birth, the loss of the baby, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS causes withdrawal symptoms in newborn babies. \u000A\u000AIf you have pain and your health care provider suggests that you take prescription opioids during pregnancy, first discuss the risks and benefits with the provider. Then if you both decide that you need to take the opioids, you can work together to try to minimize the risks.\u000A\u000ACannabis (marijuana)\u000ACannabis (marijuana) is another drug that could be harmful to your baby. Some research shows that using cannabis during pregnancy is linked to developmental problems in children and teens. More research is needed, but the safest thing to do is stop using it if you are pregnant. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that people should not use cannabis while they are pregnant.\u000A\u000AGetting help\u000AIf you are pregnant and using any of these substances, contact your provider. Together you and your provider can find the right treatment to help you quit.\u000A\u000AIf you are taking opioids or are addicted to drugs, don\u0027t stop taking them suddenly. That can be dangerous to you and the baby. Instead, contact your provider for help with getting off the drugs safely.", "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/Pregnancyanddruguse.jpg" }, "url": "https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancyandsubstanceuse.html" } ] </script> </body> </html>

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