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Drugs & Pregnancy
Drug Families
Amphetamine use during pregnancy can affect foetal development. Amphetamine use has been linked with bleeding, early labour and miscarriage. Amphetamine use during pregnancy has also been linked to an increased risk of foetal abnormalities, including smaller head size, eye problems, cleft palate, delayed motor development, limb defects and changes to the brain. Amphetamines also cause the heart rate of mother and baby to increase.
If amphetamines are used close to birth the baby may be unsettled and may be over-active and agitated. Babies of mothers who regularly use amphetamines may also experience withdrawal symptoms in the first few weeks after birth.
Not much is known about the effects of amphetamines on the mother during breastfeeding. There is evidence that babies feed poorly and may be irritable.
If cannabis is used during pregnancy the baby may be born smaller and lighter than other babies. Low birth weight can be associated with infections and breathing problems. There is also some evidence that cannabis use during pregnancy may affect the baby's behaviour.
Little is known about the effects of cannabis use on breastfeeding. It is believed that some of the drug will pass through the breast milk to the baby, and the baby may become unsettled and demand frequent feeding.
Most drugs cross the placenta, and therefore have some effect on the foetus. It is possible that miscarriage can result from using ecstasy. The use of amphetamine-like substances such as ecstasy during pregnancy has also been associated with delayed development and subtle abnormalities in the newborn.
It is possible that if a mother uses ecstasy while breastfeeding the drug will be present in her milk and may have adverse effects on the baby.
Cocaine
Research indicates that effects of cocaine use during pregnancy may cause bleeding, miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth.
Cocaine increases the heart rate in both the mother and baby, and the supply of blood and oxygen to the baby is reduced. This means the baby is more likely to be small and grow slowly both before and after birth. If cocaine is used close to birth, the baby may be born intoxicated, showing symptoms of hyperactivity and agitation. Withdrawal symptoms can occur in the babies of mothers who use cocaine regularly. These include sleepiness and lack of responsiveness.
To date, research is inconclusive as to whether children of mothers who use cocaine experience any long-term mental or physical effects. Some studies suggest that malformations of the genito-urinary tract, heart, limbs and/or face occur in the babies of women who use cocaine.
It is likely that cocaine will reach the baby through breast milk. The effect this has on the baby will depend on factors such as the amount and strength of cocaine used, and the time between using cocaine and feeding the baby. Symptoms may include the baby being irritable, unsettled and difficult to feed.
Smoking tobacco can affect fertility in both males and females.
Nicotine, carbon monoxide and many other chemicals found in tobacco smoke are passed on to the baby through the placenta. These substances can reduce the amount of oxygen available in the mother's blood, which reduces the amount of oxygen available to the baby. This and the effects of the other chemicals found in tobacco smoke can affect the baby's growth and development, increasing the risk of low birth weight, premature birth and spontaneous abortions.
Babies whose parents smoke also have an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). They are more likely to suffer from asthma and other respiratory infections than babies of non-smokers.
Nicotine and many of the other substances in tobacco smoke are passed through breast milk to the baby. These substances can reduce the supply of breast milk. Smoking just before breastfeeding may also delay the milk "let down" process.
Using heroin while pregnant can affect foetal development. Heroin use has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth, and babies may be born smaller than average and may be prone to illness. The substances that are cut with heroin may also cause problems during the pregnancy and affect the developing foetus.
Injecting heroin can increase the risk of both the mother and baby becoming infected with blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis and HIV. Heroin can pass through the placenta to the foetus, and after birth the baby can experience heroin withdrawal, known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Most babies can be comforted with supported care, but some babies with severe NAS may need to be treated with medication to help with the withdrawal.
Pregnant women who want to stop taking heroin need to be very careful. Sudden withdrawal from heroin may harm the baby and increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.
If a mother continues to use heroin while breastfeeding, it is possible that the drug will be present in her milk and may have adverse effects on the baby.
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