The Effects of Alcohol, Cigarettes and Drug use During Pregnancy

Drugs

There are a number of drugs which are dangerous when used by pregnant women . In this section , the effects of marijuana and cocaine on pregnant women are examined . Generally , the use of marijuana is associated with pulmonary cancer , memory loss and irregularities during menstruation Hjerkinn , Lindbzhk and Rosvold (322 . In pregnant women the active ingredient passes through the pregnant mother and accumulates in the fetus . This situation results in : precipitation of labor low birth weight premature birth and fetal distress . Pregnant women who smoke marijuana regularly are likely to induce

labor and expel the fetus no matter the stage of pregnancy . On the other hand cocaine constricts the blood vessels and limits the amount of blood which reaches the fetus Furthermore , cocaine causes an increase in the secretion of stress hormones and makes the uterus contact very easily which increases the risk of spontaneous abortion . Women who are addicted to cocaine may pass this to the infants they give birth to . It is important to note that cocaine and marijuana are not the only drugs which affect pregnant women and their babies . There are a number of other drugs to which pregnant woman may be addicted to and can cause harm to both the mother and child . However , for the purpose of this only these two drugs have been discussed

0 .3 Conclusion

Pregnancy is a time when women should be careful about drugs and other substances which they take in . A lot is yet to be known about the effect of many substances on the unborn child . Thus a lot of caution should be taken . However , for now , cigarettes , drugs and alcohol are bad for pregnant women because they have very damaging effects on the unborn child and the health of the mother

Works Cited

Hjerkinn B , Lindbzhk...