Alcohol and Illicit Drug Abuse in Pregnancy

Alcohol and Illicit medicine Ab spend in Pregnancy Amy Luman COM/220 February 10, 2010 Philip Fasso When a woman constitutes signifi hatfult, it is vital to her mess ups wellness that she leads a healthy life. This implys eating plenty of nourishing food, fulfilling an adequate sum of rest, and exercising regularly. For a large(predicate) woman, maternity shopping center ab occasion is doubly as dangerous. First, medicates whitethorn equipment casualty her own health, which interferes with her ability to support the pregnancy. Second, most drugs can directly impair antenatal development. During pregnancy, virtu twainy any bootleg drugs pose a danger.Even legal depicted objects, such as intoxicant, tobacco, and prescription(prenominal) drugs are dangerous to expecting women. As numerous as 1 in 10 babies may be natural to women who use illegal and prescription drugs during their pregnancies. firearm some prescription drugs may be incumbent during pregnanc y, inebriantic beverage consumption and illicit drug abuse is frightfully dangerous during pregnancy, and whence pregnant women should value their value their babies and never misuse them. Healthy life-style Pregnancy should be checkn undecomposedly and one should implement a healthy lifestyle to detainment them and their unborn child safe.A pregnant womans lifestyle habits as well as her fatener in crimes can gravely affect the health of their unborn baby. If the mate has already contendn these precautions into action, it is encouraged and should be continued throughout the inherent pregnancy. It is never to a fault late for a pregnant woman to unhorse loadking about making behavior changes, which in turn are good for her unborn child. Staying active during pregnancy is one stride proximate to bearing a healthy child. Being active during pregnancy can bugger off besides positive effects on the expecting bewilder, with her feeling burst and developing more energy .Physical activity can also avail maintain muscle tone and strength for labor and birth. A coarse deal of benefits can come to a woman and her unborn by sprightlyly exercising on a selected number of days a week. There are many an(prenominal) types of personal activity and exercise, ranging from mild stretch to aerobic exercise. If an expecting spawn is already involved in nonchalant physiological activities, thither is no need for her to stop. If not, it is a good time for her to operate doing something on a regular basis. Daily activities like walking up stairs, cleaning the house, and gardening are also good ways to keep active (Childbirth Connection, 2010).Making exercise an essential part of the day result in the end, only make a happy ending for some(prenominal) m other and her unborn. Being a healthy body weight is authorised before pregnancy. So eating a well balanced fodder throughout pregnancy is very important to the health of oneself and child. Almost all pr egnant women need to plus their intake ofprotein, certain vitamins and minerals such asfolic acidandiron, and calories (for energy). Women whoeatwell andavoid known lay on the linestend to have fewer complications during pregnancy and labor and are more likely to toss larger, healthier babies.Eating a well-balanced fodder, high in nutrients, is one of the most important things a woman can do to vouch the futurehealthof both her and her baby (Isenberg, 2000-2009). Fetuses born to mothers who have morbid diets may be premature or have other problems at birth. In addition, recent research indicates that what a mother eats during the early(a) months of pregnancy may determine her unborn childs sensibility to certain diseases, such as diabetesand cancer. Eating a balanced diet during pregnancy can help toprotect the health of both mother and baby.During pregnancy, a woman needs more of some nutrients, such as iron, calcium, and folic acid. For this reason, it is wise to start tak ing a multivitamin before pregnancy. Vitamins should be an essential part of every mothers diet and daily routine when expecting. Prescribed multivitamins by ones health reverence provider are very important to give the proper nutrients and prenatal care that an unborn child or fetus needs. It is proven that multivitamins, taken before one conceives, have a positive effect on the fetuss chances of having birth defects.Although many drugs can probablely harm a pregnant womans fetus, some drugs are necessary for the well universe of both the woman and her fetus. Before making the decision to take any drug, whether it is prescription, over-the-counter, or a medicinal herb, a woman should evermore discuss both the hazards and advantages of the drug with her doctor to ensure the safety of both her and the fetus. A practitioner may suggest that a woman take certain vitamins and minerals during pregnancy (Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation, 2009). AlcoholAny type of intoxicating beverage can have many hazardous effects on the developing fetus. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause a wide-range of physical and mental birth defects. When a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol passes through the placenta to her fetus. In the fetuss immature body, alcohol is humble down very much more s clinical depressionly than in an adults body. As a result, the alcohol level of the babys root can be higher and breathe elevated longer than the level in the mothers blood. This sometimes causes the baby to assume lifelong damage. Recent government surveys indicate that about 1 in 12 pregnant women drink during pregnancy and about 1 in 30 pregnant women report binge drinking (March of Dimes Foundation, 2010, p. 3). FAS or other than known as feta alcohol syndrome is a dangerous condition that authorizes when a fetus has been exposed to excessive amounts of alcohol prenatally. One of the most rough-cut defects is facial abnormalities, although other defects may have greater conseq uences on the individuals health. These defects occur as a result of exposure to alcoholwhile in the uterus.An estimated one in 500 to one in 2,000 babies are born with FAS (Ladue, 2001). The common facial abnormalities of FAS include short eye-slit fissures a long, smooth top(prenominal) lip groove and a thin upper lip. The fol lower-rankinging stick out represents a small child with these facial abnormalities. pic Other common physical problems include heart malformations and defects a hollow at the lower part of the chest permanent curving of one or more fingers unification of bones at the elbow scoliosis kidney malformations and cleft lip and palate (abnormal openings in the lips or roof of the mouth).FAS affects childrens height, weight, and head circumference. Many children with FAS are short and thin prior to puberty. As girls enter puberty, they remain short, but frequently fetch weight and appear plump. Boys seem to remain fairly short and slender. So far, there has bee n no cure identified for FAS, but several interference models are available. For the reason that CNS damage, symptoms, secondary disabilities, and requirements differ extensively there is no one treatment that works for everyone (Wikipedia, 2009).Although many women are cognizant that thick drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, many do not realize that moderate or dismantle light drinking also may harm the fetus. In fact, no level of alcohol use during pregnancy is safe. Therefore, pregnant women should by no operator drink any alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers and liquor, throughout their pregnancy and while nursing. excessively because women often do not know they are pregnant for a few months, women who may be pregnant or those who are attempting to become pregnant should not drink alcohol.Illicit Drug Use It should be obvious that Illicit and other prescription drugs are extremely calumniatory to the developing fetus, but disappointingly substance ab usecontinues to be a problem worldwide and drugabuse in pregnancyis no longer ludicrous. Nearly four percent of pregnant women in the united States use illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocain, ecstasy, and other amphetamines, and heroin and close 90% of women who abuse drugs are of childbearing age and consequently substance abuse in pregnancy is increasing (Ludlow, Christmas, Paech, & Orr, 2007).These and other illicit drugs may cause various insecuritys for pregnant women and their babies. Some of these drugs can cause a baby to be born too small ortoo soon, or to have withdrawal symptoms,birth defects,or learning and behavioural problems. Tolerance and addiction to drugs and alcohol in pregnancy creates many potential problems for the mother, her fetus, and the obstetricians, anesthetists, pain specialists, drug, and alcohol specialists and neonatologists involved in her care. Pregnant women who use these drugs may also engage in other unhealthy behaviors that place their pr egnancy at risks.Women who use heroin during pregnancy greatly increase their risks of serious pregnancy complications. These risks include poor fetal growth, premature rupture of the membranes (the bobby pin of waters that holds the fetus breaks too soon), premature birth and stillbirth. As many as half of all babies of heroin users are born with low birth weight, use of heroin in pregnancy may increase the risk of a variety of birth defects. Most babies of heroin users bespeak withdrawal symptoms during the first three days after birth, including fever, sneezing, trembling, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting, continual crying, and seizures.While heroin is usually sniffed, snorted or smoked, most users inject the drug into a muscle or vein. Pregnant women who share needles are at risk of contracting HIV and the hepatitis C virus. Such infections are capable of being passed on to the infant during pregnancy or at birth. Between 20 and 40 million Americans have used cocaine and five to vi million are regular users. One million women of child-bearing age use cocaine (Blatt, Meguid, & Church, 2000). Cocaine use during pregnancy can affect a pregnant woman and her baby in many ways.During the early months of pregnancy, cocaine may increase the risk ofmiscarriage. Later in pregnancy, it may jauntpreterm labor or cause the baby to grow poorly. As a result, cocaine-exposed babies are more likely than unexposed babies to be born prematurely and with low birth weight. Premature and low-birth weight babies are at increased risk of health problems during the newborn period, lasting disabilities such as mental stave andcerebral palsy, and withal death. Cocaine-exposed babies also tend to have smaller heads, which for the most part reflect smaller brains and an increased risk of learning problems.Cocaine use during pregnancy can cause placental problems, including placental abruption. In this condition, the placenta pulls outdoor(a) from the wall of the uterus before labor begins. This will lead to heavy bleeding that can be life threatening for both mother and baby. The baby may be deprived of oxygen and adequate blood flow when an abruption occurs. Prompt cesarean delivery, however can close out most deaths but may not prevent serious complications for the baby caused by lack of oxygen (March of Dimes Foundation, 2010).After birth, babies regularly exposed to cocaine before birth may have mild behavioral disturbances. As newborns, some are jittery and irritable, and they may startle and cry at the gentlest touch or sound. These babies may be difficult to comfort and may be withdrawn or unresponsive. Other cocaine-exposed babies turn off meet stimuli by going into a deep sleep for most of the day. Cocaine-exposed babies may be more likely than unexposed babies to die of SIDS. Avoidance Virtually all illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, pose dangers to a pregnant woman.Legal substances, such as alcohol and tobacco, are also dangerous, a nd even medical drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, can be harmful. For her own health and the health of her baby-to-be, a woman should avoid drugs and alcohol as much as possible from the time she first plans to become pregnant or learns that she is pregnant. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs for pregnant women, especially in the early weeks. In the mothers body, alcohol breaks down chemically to a cell damaging compound that is absorbed by the fetus. intemperately drinking during early pregnancy greatly increases the risk of a thud of birth defects known as fetal alcohol syndrome. This cluster includes a small skull, abnormal facial features, and heart defects, often accompanied by impeded growth and mental retardation. Heavy drinking in later on pregnancy may also impede growth (American Council for Drug Education, 1999). It is not known whether light to moderate drinking can produce these effects. However, even if the risk is low, the stakes are very high.M edical experts agree that a woman should avoid alcohol entirely when she decides to become pregnant, or at least when the first signs of pregnancy appear. Even such mild beverages as beer and wine coolers should be off limits. The Law Currently there is only one state, southernmost Carolina that holds prenatal substance abuse as a criminal act of child abuse and neglect. Other states have laws that and address prenatal substance abuse. Some of these states consider prenatal substance abuse as part of their child welfare laws.Therefore, prenatal drug exposure can provide foundation for terminating parental rights because of child abuse. Of these states include Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. A number of states have policies that implement entrance to an inpatient treatment program for pregnant women who use drugs. These states consist of Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2004, Texas made it a felony to smoke marijuana while pregnant, resulting in a prison sentence of 2-20 years (American Pregnancy Association, 2000-2010).Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a pregnant woman to become addicted to prescription medications and other illegal drugs. A mother who uses drugs during pregnancy risks her life and her babys life. Studies have shown that consumption of illegal drugs during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, low birth-weight, premature labor, placental abruption, fetal death, or even motherly death. While some prescription drugs may be necessary during pregnancy, alcohol consumption and illicit drug abuse is frightfully dangerous during pregnancy, and then pregnant women should value their babies and never misuse them.