How Do Substances Affect Pregnancy?

Women struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) who become pregnant may have trouble abstaining from substance use despite adverse effects. The consequences of using drugs or alcohol while pregnant can be intense, irreversible, and even lethal to the unborn child. That is why seeking addiction treatment is so vital upon discovering a pregnancy.

Substance use while pregnant can cause miscarriage, increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and many other complications. Recovery is also critical for properly taking care of the child once it's born. 

A life of addiction, substance use, and unhealthy family dynamics can harm children. However, people often only focus on the effect of substance use on kids and forget about its impact on unborn children. Consider treatment today if you are pregnant and struggling with addiction. Recovery is possible, even during this difficult time. Learn the risks of substance use during pregnancies and avoid potential harm to your unborn child. 

Prevalence of Substance Use During Pregnancy

Believe it or not, alcohol use while pregnant has not been taboo for as long as you would think. According to a 2006 article by Julia Moskin in The New York Times, drinking during pregnancy did not become a big no-no in the United States until after 1981. Research from the University of Washington caused the Surgeon General to warn the public about alcohol consumption while pregnant. Washington University dedicated research to identifying fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the early 1970s. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes FAS as a "group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth." They indicate these effects can include cause problems with cognition and physical and mental development. FAS may cause several adverse symptoms, including: 

• Hyperactive behaviors and trouble focusing 
• Learning disabilities
• Poor judgment skills 
• Problems with parts of the body, such as the heart or kidneys
• Impaired cognitive function

These are just a few of the many potential effects of FAS. Decades later, we know more about the dangers of substance use while pregnant.

Women who enjoy the occasional drink typically have no problem stopping their alcohol consumption upon learning of their pregnancy. However, those with SUD may not be able to control their substance use so easily. This can be disheartening and cause them to question their parenting abilities. Those individuals must remember that SUD is a complex mental condition they can not control. Recovery is possible, and it is necessary when expecting a child. 

Substance Use and Unplanned Pregnancies

Excessive alcohol or drug use affects people mentally, physically, and emotionally, altering how they think, feel, and behave. One of the many risks associated with substance use is the increased prevalence of risky behavior. Risky behavior for some people includes engaging in unsafe sex. In addition to contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), another consequence of unprotected sex is unintended pregnancy. 

Individuals under the influence of drugs and alcohol often struggle to think critically and make rational decisions. That means they may not always see past a specific action and consider the consequences. Consequently, substance use can be dangerous and have unintended outcomes, such as unplanned pregnancy. 

Dangers of Substance Use While Pregnant

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately five percent of "pregnant women use one or more addictive substances." What other consequences may that five percent experience in addition to FAS? Substance use while pregnant may lead to: 

• An increased risk of miscarriage, which the CDC defines as the "loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy." 
• SIDS describes the "sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than one-year-old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation." The CDC also indicates that "about 3,400 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly each year." These numbers are not solely substance-related. However, using substances while pregnant can increase the chances. 
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) "is a group of problems that can happen when a baby is exposed to opioid drugs for a length of time while in their mother's womb." The CDC defines it as a kind of withdrawal syndrome. Substance use can cause unborn children to become dependent on drugs, which means a baby may require detox as soon as it is born. 

SIDS, NAS, FAS, and miscarriages are only a few potential dangers drinking or using while pregnant poses to an unborn child. In addition, excessive substance use will also impact mothers astronomically, causing mental, physical, and emotional distress. 

If you are pregnant and struggling with SUD, you can prevent these risks by seeking treatment. Talk to your doctor or an addiction recovery specialist to learn your options for recovery today. 

For years, drinking during pregnancy was not as taboo as it is now. Before we had more knowledge and research into the subject matter, many women drank during pregnancy. However, we now know the risks of using substances while pregnant. Excessive alcohol or drug use can lead people to act erratically and engage in risky behaviors. One type of risky behavior may include unprotected sex, which can lead to unintended pregnancy. In a situation where someone struggles with a substance use disorder (SUD) while pregnant, they and their child may experience miscarriages, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), or fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). If you are pregnant and need help with SUD, consider treatment and call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 today. ‍