Your Drugs Can Make Your Baby An Addict

Using Drugs While Pregnant Can Make Your Baby An Addict

How can I keep my unborn baby as healthy as possible? During the months leading up to the birth of a baby, parents spend all their time fretting about how to make sure their house is an environment that will be perfect for their baby. They look into electrical socket protectors, baby-gates, the most interesting toys to hang over the crib—you name it! And then the name of the baby—sometimes you go back and forth until the day the baby is born. But don’t forget about the most important thing—if the mother is taking drugs, the baby could be severely hurt.

Addiction and pregnancy

No Drugs: Healthy Mother = Healthy Baby

What’s the best way to keep my baby safe before it’s born? More and more we’re learning that what the mother puts into her body goes straight into the unborn baby. Every substance has a chance of affecting the unborn baby:

Caffeine. Can cause irritability and attention deficit in the baby. This seems to be the least serious danger, compared to these other substances.
Marijuana. Can affect the memory and attentiveness of the child in early adulthood, which leads to conditions like ADHD classified as learning disabilities.
Cocaine. “Crack babies” often carry physical and mental problems that often last a lifetime. Cognitive performance is warped in a number of ways, leading to all kinds of disabilities.
Meth. Using meth during pregnancy carries with it the highest chance of miscarriage. Extreme premature birth and low birth weight are also very normal for “meth babies.”
Alcohol. Can create brain structure changes in the baby. These changes are always for the worse and can open up the doors for any number of disabilities and mental disorders.
Tobacco. Nicotine and other carcinogenic substances are passed directly into the blood of the unborn child. Heart defects are very common for babies of mothers who smoked during pregnancy.
Prescription Drugs. Birthweight, brain function, and many other defects are common. Since women often have to take prescription medication for unrelated personal issues during pregnancy, it’s recommended to just try to use as little as possible until the birth.

Addiction Rehab for Expecting Mothers: It’s Never Too Late

Where can I go to get help setting my baby up to be healthy and happy once it’s born? If you’re abusing drugs of any kind, drop everything and seek rehab right away. Banyan Treatment Center in Florida is your best option for full-service rehab. Because it’s not just you that you’re hurting: do it for your child.

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing

Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.