Drug In Pregnancy And Lactation.How do you define drug abuse in pregnancy and lactation?
Drug abuse usually refers to drugs prohibited by law, but it can also include use of legal substances, such as alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and prescription medications. Abuse of these substances means not using them as they were prescribed or using them to excess.
What is physical dependence?
Physical dependence implies the drug must be taken to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms it does not always mean addiction or drug abuse. For example, many caffeine users develop withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking coffee, but they are not considered drug abusers or drug addicts.
What is psychological dependence?
Psychological dependence means the user has developed an emotional need for a drug or medication. This need may be more compelling than a physical need and can provide the stimulus for continued drug use.
Can drug use affect my pregnancy?
Yes! Certain drugs damage the developing fetus. In addition, a woman who abuses drugs may have more complications of pregnancy because of her lifestyle.
What kind of problems do you mean?
Nutritional deficiencies may be more common. Anemia and intrauterine-growth restriction can also occur. A pregnant woman may have an increased chance of pre eclampsia.
Prescription Medications
How do amphetamines affect the baby?
Research has shown that use of central-nervous-system stimulants, such as amphetamines, during pregnancy is associated with an increase in cardiovascular defects in babies.
Are barbiturates harmful during pregnancy?
Barbiturate use may be associated with birth defects, although this has not yet been proved definitely. We have seen withdrawal, poor feeding, seizures and other problems in babies born to mothers who abused barbiturates during pregnancy.
Can other tranquilizers affect a pregnant woman?
Tranquilizing agents include benzodiazepines (Valium and Librium) and other, newer agents, such as Xanax. Several studies have related the use of these drugs to an increase in birth defects.
What are opioids?
Opioids are derived from opium and synthetic compounds with
similar actions. They produce euphoria, drowsiness or sleepiness,
and decreased sensitivity to pain. Habitual use can lead to physical
dependence.
What common drugs are opioids?
Opioids include morphine, Demerol, heroin and codeine.
What kind of problems can opioids cause?
These drugs are associated with a variety of congenital abnormalities and complications of pregnancy. Women who use opioids during pregnancy are often at high risk for premature labor, intrauterine-growth restriction in the baby and pre-eclampsia.
What can happen to a baby if the mother uses opioids?
The baby may experience withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Are there any other problems associated with using opioids during pregnancy?
If the mother uses the drugs intravenously, other problems may occur, such as AIDS, hepatitis and endocarditis. Any of these is very serious during pregnancy.
Illegal Drugs
What about marijuana use during pregnancy? Can it hurt the baby?
Marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Research has
shown use of marijuana by a mother-to-be can cause various problems, including attention deficit, memory problems and impaired
decision making in children, which usually appear between the ages
of 3 and 12 years.
Can use of hashish hurt a fetus?
Hashish contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), just as marijuana does. Avoid using it during pregnancy.
Is the use of hallucinogens declining?
The use of some hallucinogens, such as LSD, mescaline and peyote, is not as common as it was several years ago. However, use of phencyclidine (PCP), a powerful hallucinogen, is growing.
How does use of PCP affect a pregnancy?
PCP, also called angel dust, can cause severe mental illness and loss of contact with reality in the user. We believe it can cause abnormal development in a fetus, although it has not been definitely proved.
I know cocaine use is more common today. How does it affect a pregnancy?
Today, cocaine use is a more common cause of complication in pregnancy. Often a user consumes the drug over a long period of time, such as several days. During this time, she may eat or drink very little, which can have serious consequences for a developing fetus.
How does cocaine affect the mother-to-be?
Use of cocaine has been associated with convulsions, arrhythmias,
hypertension and hyperthermia in a pregnant woman. Continual use of cocaine can affect maternal nutrition and temperature control, which can harm the fetus. Cocaine use has been linked with miscarriage, placental abruption and congenital defects.
I've heard that use of cocaine during early pregnancy can cause serious problems. Is this true?
If a woman uses cocaine during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, there is an increased risk of miscarriage. Damage to the developing baby can occur as early as 3 days after conception!
How does cocaine use by the mother-to-be affect the baby?
Infants often have lower IQs and long-term mental deficiencies. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is also more common in these babies. Many babies are stillborn.
What about crack use?
All that we have stated about cocaine use also applies to crack use.
I know someone who used drugs a few times while she was pregnant. Her baby seems all right. Aren't you exaggerating the dangers?
No. Your friend was lucky. A fetus is totally dependent on the mother-to-be for all of its needs, so everything a woman does can affect her baby. What may seem like a small amount to a woman can have a major effect on the fetus whose organs are still being formed. It is up to you to do all you can to help your baby have the best possible start in life.
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