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Whether you are the mother or father of a soon-to-be son or daughter, your family’s drug use can drastically harm your unborn child. As a family unit both mother and father should be knowledgeable about the effects that drug and/or alcohol abuse can have on a baby. Some effects of which will change the outcome of your child’s future life, and some that may harm the mother in the process of delivery. Even exposure to drugs use, if not directly abused by the mother, can still cause harm to an unborn child. Researchers state that close to four percent of all pregnant women will use and/or abuse a harmful and illegal drug during their pregnancy. Researchers have also stated that over thirty percent of men with pregnant wives or girlfriends will use and/or abuse a harmful and illegal drug during their child’s pregnancy. These drugs may include, but are not limited to: heroine, marijuana, cocaine, Oxycotin, etc. With respects to the following drugs, this is how an unborn child may be effected during pregnancy: Cocaine Use/Abuse: If cocaine is used by the mother during the first months of pregnancy, miscarriage is normally a great risk. If the child does make it through birth, he or she will have over fifty percent chance of risk for cerebral palsy, being pre-mature, and/or mental retardation. With respects to the mother, cocaine use can limit oxygen supply to the brain while delivering. This makes for risk of great complications for the mother’s health regarding the brain, the heart and the bloodstream during labor. Marijuana Use and/or Indirect Exposure: The highest number of pregnant mothers and expecting fathers will use marijuana during their son or daughter’s pregnancy over any other harmful drug. Marijuana needs not be directly smoked by the mother for harmful effects to occur. If the mother inhales the smoke produced by the father, the unborn child will also suffer negative symptoms after birth. Some of these symptoms include, but are not limited to: * Low birth weight * Pre-mature birth with possible complications * Post-birth withdrawal symptoms including trembling and/or excessive crying * Poor adjustment to sleep schedules and sunlight * High risk for Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) Methamphetamine Use and/or Exposure: When meth is smoked directly by the mother, or indirectly by the father, with mother present, harmful side effects may affect the unborn child. Meth, also referred to as crystal meth, crank or ice can drastically effect a full-grown adult, so when a fragile unborn child is experiencing the same intake, the outcome can be far greater. exposed to meth in the womb are at higher risk for heart defects, low birth weights, pre-mature births, cleft lips, and under-average head sizes. A number of births for babies exposed to meth have been still-births due to over-exposure to such a poisonous substance. Using and/or abusing drugs and/or alcohol during pregnancy will have its effects on an unborn child. Whether you are the father or the mother of that child, note that even the indirect exposure to such dangerous substances can change your child’s health for a lifetime. If you or your spouse is suffering from drug addiction, with a child on the way, seek help at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Protecting your child from physical or mental harm is a positive motivator to get your life back on track. About the Author: Robert Shryoc is the Director of Development at the Stonegate Center, a Texas treatment center. The Texas drug rehab community serves people entangled in the physical, mental, social and spiritual bonds of chemical dependency. For more information about the residential treatment facility please visit www.stonegatecenter.com.
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