Drugs of Abuse

Where can I find help for a drug abuse problem?

Drug Abuse And Fertility
Women that are abusing drugs should not try to conceive a child. It is not safe under any circumstances for mother or baby to be taking drugs that are not approved by the doctor.

Drug Abuse And Pregnancy
There are many dangers to taking drugs during pregnancy. This includes illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over the counter medications. Unless the drug/medication that you are taking has been prescribed or approved by your healthcare provider, you should not take it. When women take drugs that are not approved, they increase the chances of delivering an unhealthy baby. If you suffer from a drug addiction, you should talk to your doctor about the problem. In no stage of pregnancy is any type of drug abuse considered safe. Taking drugs can cause your baby's heart, limbs, facial features, eyes and nervous system to form improperly. When a woman abuses drugs, she also increases her chances of having a miscarriage, stillbirth. premature delivery or low birth weight baby. If a woman has a drug addiction during her pregnancy, her baby can be born with a drug addiction and can suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can cause the baby to have tremors, muscle spasms, sucking difficulties, irritability and sleeplessness, vomiting, diarrhea and joint stiffness. If the mother has injected drugs into her body, she has put the baby at risk of contracting HIV or AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis. When a pregnant mother takes cocaine, crack or methamphetamine (speed or ice) it causes blood vessels to tighten so that the heart beats faster and blood pressure rises. This adds stress on the baby's system and the baby's growth can be slowed. The risk of miscarriage, premature labor and possible bleeding are increased by using these drugs as well. The use of heroine and other narcotics increases the danger of premature birth and can create problems such as low birth-weight, breathing difficulties, low blood sugar and bleeding within the baby's head.

When a pregnant mother abuses PCP, her baby will mostly likely show signs of intoxication for a few days after birth because it is passed through the placenta. Babies that are born addicted to PCP go through withdrawal. This can cause symptoms such as lethargy and tremors.

Marijuana is a common drug of choice and unfortunately, many people do not think it is as bad. Premature birth and low birth-weight babies are typical in women that use marijuana during pregnancy. Marijuana also affects the baby's ability to respond to visual stimulation and can cause developmental problems after birth. Babies that are exposed to marijuana in utero often have difficulty with visual perception, understanding language, decision-making, concentration and memory.

Even though most prescription drugs and over the counter medications are not considered drugs of abuse, they still pose threats to developing babies. Many medications have side effects that are harmful during pregnancy. All medications should be approved by a healthcare provider before being used. Some numbers
NIDA estimates that about 5.5 percent, or 221,000 women, used an illicit drug at least once during pregnancy, and thus 221,000 babies were born drug exposed. Cocaine was used during pregnancy by 1.1 percent or 45,000 women.Note: This topic is for support from and for those who want information about drugs of abuse during pregnancy. This is not a pro-drug / anti-drug discussion, drugs are bad, period. Judging, hateful, preaching comments and comments that don't add anything to the subject are unwanted and may trigger deletion of your account without warning.



Comments: Drugs of Abuse

Comments 1 to 13 of about 13.
1

mybabyismyheart - 34 days ago.
I've hit the bong/blunt from time to time in the past and may have even been a few days pregnant last time I smoked. Soon as I found out I was pregnant I told my OB and WIC consultant as well as other medical professionals in my life...because felt they would hold me accountable. Nothing like the threat of Child Protective Services to force you to make the right choice. While I personally don't believe pot is a bad thing and think it should be legalized I can't risk my baby's health for my own comfort...that's selfish and not what being a mother is about. My baby's father is a different story he wants to continue living as though nothing is about to change, and I have told him time and time again not to bring it or cigarettes around me. I think it's admirable that some of you are taking the steps to ensure nothing in your life is directly or indirectly contributing to something that can hurt you baby. As for the girls who've been lucky and had healthy babies despite indulging, your BABY got lucky, not you because until something happens to wake you up, the next baby is still at risk from your selfish habits. Yes I know I sound harsh, but it is what it is.

Tess42 - 196 days ago.
Tonysmommy, you have the perfect right not to be around someone who does drugs -- pregnant or not, in fact. I think it is wonderful that you and your mother are taking the step to inform yourselves on what you are up against with heroin addiction. I recommend Narc Anon. You seem to be a pretty smart lady, with a great deal of compassion for all of your family -- but your instincts to protect your child first are absolutely spot-on correct. It sounds like your mother is feeling defensive and overwhelmed about HER baby. Remind her, with gentle love, that your need to protect your child is not an indictment on her or a punishment. Mommyof3 had good advice, I think. You can continue to be supportive of your mother, who must be terribly frightened, but she will understand that you have to put her grandbaby first. Many prayers for all your family.

tonysmommy - 196 days ago.
Thank you all for your input! It made me feel better about my decision and being able to stick to it. My mom and I are planning to attend some AA meetings so she can gain some confidence in herself and hopefully gain some useful tools to help her deal with this. Today was Mothers Day and my sister didn't even join the family for our day together. It was a relief and also a disappointment. We are all hoping that with our support she will come around, hopefully sooner than later.

MommyOf3But4ToBe - 197 days ago.
Tony, i have never been in the situation, but have a thought for you... I fully understand you not wanting your baby around your sister, i would not allow it either... but if your parents want to see your little guy so bad, than JUST your parents can come to your place... that way, they can still see him, and you will be able to control the environment that is around him... i hope that this helps, and will pray that your sister gets help soon!!

4thonitsway - 197 days ago.
tony- keep with what your doing. no user will go get help until they truly want to. Ive done more than my fair share in my life and honestly heroin was one I was never willing to try, Ive seen what it does to ppl. If she continues that your hurting her by not letting your child around then point out shes hurting you by hurting herself. Make your mom watch TrainSpotting, its about being a heroin addict, and shell understand why your child doesnt need to be around your sister

tonysmommy - 197 days ago.
I didn't really know where else to post my question, so here it is...I have used drugs in the past, when I was a teen, I stopped a long time before I got pregnant with my son, so I am not a saint, nor do I claim to be. Now that we have that out...here goes the long part. I am very, very close to my mother. I always have been. We hang out EVERY day. Well, the problem is, my younger sister, who is 19 lives at home still, with my mom and dad. We just found out she is using heroin. My mother is not kicking her out, she is basically an enabler, but that is a whole other story. My problem/question is this. I do not have the desire to be around my sister right now. She knows that we are all aware of her using heroin, I have made it clear I support her, and her being clean and going to treatment. I do not condone her using at all. I love her, she knows that too. I have made it clear I do not want to be around her at all, until she is willing to start cleaning up. (she is currently REFUSING to go to treatment, she 'likes to do the drug, so why stop' her exact words...) I have told my mother that I will not be coming over or letting my son be around my sister until she starts to clean up. This has pissed my mother off. I have explained to her that it is the only thing I feel is right right now. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, or the next day. But, for now, I don't want to be around my sister and I don't want my son around her either. My mom responds with 'well, it's not like she is going to hurt him, we are always around, she doesn't go all crazy'. My response is he is my life, and I am not a drug addict, so why should he have to be around anyone who is? How do we know what she is going to do? Look what she has already done to hurt us. I don't know what to do at this point. I don't want to hurt my parents but at the same time, this is MY child, my boyfriend feels the same way I do. I just want to be able to make my choices about my son without my mom taking it personally. She has already told me that it must be me lashing out to her and punishing her by not allowing my son to come over. Does anyone have any insight or ideas? Please!??!

Cherub - 230 days ago.
Im with you Andy21. People have the right to ask questions without people who think they 'know it all' jumping down their throats. Drealou why did you even bother to comment? Prettyblueeys that was just as rude.

Zillah Cain your baby will be fine with such a small amount... you did smell it, which mean you did inhale it, but you can be sure it would not have even registered in your own blood stream.

Well done on being such a loving and protective mother!

andy21 - 231 days ago.
Wow, I am really shocked to hear some of these responses. Some people are absolutely rude and really need to think before they speak. (especially the Mormon comment, totally uncalled for) It sounds to me like Zillah Cain is being a concerned mother for her unborn child. I also stay as far away as I possible can from anyone else smoking marijuana. You can get a contact high. So, it is obviously affecting you and gets into your system just from being around it.

monstamama - 260 days ago.
I just want to remind everyone that although we all have specific views on what is and isn't appropriate, this forum is about support and helping to gain knowledge from women that are in or have been in similiar circumstances. I hope no one would be so harsh and judgemental as to turn away someone who truly needs help and support. I would feel terrible if someone spoke out in need of guidance and I was so lost in preaching that I didn't help. Think about your words.

prettyblueeyes - 260 days ago.
Yea that was a really naive question, can't blame her though she's from Utah probably a Mormon....LOL I personally wouldn't smoke pot during pregnancy but I know a girl who smoked every day with all 3 of her girls and all 3 are healthy, normal and actually ahead of others in their class. I'm not saying it's OK, I'm saying no one really knows what drug will do what to the baby.

happyforest - 290 days ago.
ya that doesnt go together at all......of course there wont be any drugs in the babys system if they were OUTSIDE and walked past someone who was smoking pot. it wouldnt even get in the babys system if they were in the SAME ROOM....i think she must be trying to ask something else......

juandrea - 290 days ago.
that is the stupidest question i have ever heard in my life.........

Zillah Cain - 336 days ago.
I am not judging on anything anyone has done - that is their business and nobody elses. I do have a question however. I was walking my daughter home from her kindergarten class last week and upon passing a certain house about a half block away, I noticed a man standing on his porch smoking what (if you have been around it before) could not be anything else but marijuana. I immediately took my daughter and crossed the street. I am 30 weeks pregnant with my fifth child and I do not want to have a baby with drugs in his/her system. Is it likely that since I am this far along that there will be any in his system when he arrives? I know that sounds like a newbie question - and it is since I have only tried marijuana once when I was seventeen. I am twenty five now.

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