What happens if you drink or take drugs while pregnant?

Taking drugs during pregnancy also increases the chance of birth defects, premature babies, underweight babies, and stillborn births. Exposure to drugs such as marijuana — also called weed, ganja, dope, or pot — and alcohol before birth has been proven to cause behavior problems in early childhood.

What are the effects of drinking and smoking while pregnant?

Prenatal exposure to smoking and alcohol increases the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Physiological changes associated with these exposures are not well studied.

What happens if you smoke and drink before you know you are pregnant?

What if you didnt know you pregnant and drank and smoked the first month, could that harm or affect the growth and development of the unborn fetus? It is unlikely that moderate smoking or drinking during the first month of pregnancy will be harmful.

Can you go to jail for doing drugs while pregnant?

Though you may be arrested for using illegal drugs, there are generally no additional criminal charges for doing so while pregnant. Two states, Alabama and South Carolina, have upheld criminal child abuse verdicts for prenatal illegal drug use, primarily on the grounds those states believe a viable fetus is a person.

What birth defects are caused by smoking?

Smoking raises your baby’s risk for birth defects, including cleft lip, cleft palate, or both. A cleft is an opening in your baby’s lip or in the roof of her mouth (palate). He or she can have trouble eating properly and is likely to need surgery.

What are the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy?

Tobacco. Smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other harmful chemicals to your baby. This could cause many problems for your unborn baby’s development. It raises the risk of your baby being born too small, too early, or with birth defects. Smoking can also affect babies after they are born.

Is it safe to drink alcohol and smoke during pregnancy?

Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs if you could be pregnant, are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. Smoking during pregnancy affects your baby and can cause health problems such as: a low birth weight that could be harmful. an increased risk of pneumonia, asthma or glue ear.

What are the risks of taking drugs during pregnancy?

Taking drugs during pregnancy also increases the chance of birth defects, premature babies, underweight babies, and stillborn births. Exposure to drugs such as marijuana — also called weed, ganja,…

What are the risks of marijuana use during pregnancy?

Later in the pregnancy, these illicit drugs may cause pre-term labor and low birth weight, as well as babies who are irritable and have feeding difficulties. Pregnant women who smoke marijuana face a higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight.