Substance Misuse in Pregnancy - NHS Lothian

Drug Drug use use in in pregnancy
pregnancy
You may be feeling worried about how your drug use might affect
your pregnancy and baby. Most women who use drugs and alcohol have
a normal pregnancy and a perfectly healthy baby. However, there are
risks associated with tobacco, alcohol and drug use.
Unfortunately, good evidence on the effects of drug/alcohol use during
pregnancy has been difficult to establish. What we do know however,
is that smoking tobacco in pregnancy is definitely harmful to your
baby and can affect your pregnancy in a number of ways. All mothers
who smoke should try to give up! Ask your GP, pharmacist or midwife
for help.
Using street drugs (like heroin) or being dependent on drugs (like
methadone or ‘valium’) can increase your chances of having a premature
birth and a low birth weight (small) baby. This in turn can lead to
other problems. The risk of cot death is also increased, particularly
if you smoke tobacco as well.
There is no good evidence to suggest that illicit (street) drugs alone
cause congenital birth defects. Heavy alcohol use, however, is
associated with birth defects and heavy cocaine use is associated
with a number of problems in pregnancy because the drug reduces
blood flow to the developing baby. Street drugs may contain impurities
and can put extra strain on your liver and kidneys, so it is better if
you can use only prescribed drugs when you are pregnant.
It is important to remember that there are many other things that
can affect your pregnancy at least as much as drugs. For instance,
the food you eat (your diet), your social circumstances and lifestyle,
and whether or not you get good antenatal (maternity) care. Drug use
can affect your appetite, weight, dental health, general health, mood
and ability to cope with everyday life.