The use of illegal drugs during pregnancy not only harms mother but also the unborn child. Many women who are pregnant in the United States are using illegal drug such as cocaine or marijuana.
Drug addiction effects on the Baby:
When pregnant women takes drugs, the babies will get the same effect as that of mothers. Sometimes, the babies can become accustomed themselves to drugs, and when they are born, they undergo withdrawal symptoms known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS can appear in babies whose mothers consume drugs such as heroin, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs. Few symptoms of NAS are bad coordination, colic, troubles in eating and tremors.
Drug Addiction effects on the Mother:
Pregnant women who take drugs are at risk for many diseases and physical problems, like heart attacks, strokes, blood infections, STDs and several of other diseases. Practically, every disease which can affect the mother will also affect the child, because of connection between the mother and unborn child via the umbilical cord and placenta.
All kinds of drugs can reach the unborn child by passing through the placenta and penetrating the child’s bloodstream and traversing to the developing brain. Cocaine use, can result in separation of the placenta, premature birth, unexpected infant death syndrome and stillbirth, growth defects, tremors, hyperactivity and problems learning and understanding. Heroin, can cause the child to suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms after birth, which are present from four to six months, and may cause heart problems, high blood pressure and seizures.