Pregnancy is a period when women have the increased responsibility of taking care of their own health and the well being of the fetus. Drugs therefore cause the dual damage of rendering the women incapable of supporting the fetus and also harming the fetus directly.

Marijuana

There is little evidence of the effect of marijuana on fetus .The reason is that mothers who used marijuana also did other drugs, drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes. Regardless of whether the woman smokes marijuana or cigarettes, the smoke itself puts enormous strain on the baby. Smoking increases the risk of a condition called ‘Placenta praevia’ in which the placenta covers the lower segment of the uterus. ‘Placenta praevia’ is a serious complication and can result in the detachment of the placenta causing severe bleeding, leading to a maternal death.

Cocaine

Cocaine is highly dangerous drug that stimulates the Central Nervous System. Cocaine reduces uterine blood follow suffocating the new born of nourishments. Cocaine is known to cause a serious condition called ‘abruptio placenta’ in which the placenta detaches from the uterine wall too soon. This can cause sever bleeding, maternal death, fetal death or a premature birth. The drug crosses over the placenta and wrecks havoc on the fetal brain causing irreversible damage and even death.

Heroin

Heroin is powerful opioid which is so addictive that the fetus gets dependent on it. . Heroin abuse can result in severe and chronic abnormalities in neonates. Heroin addicted mothers have a high chance of giving birth to premature or still born babies. The subject of treating Heroin addiction with methadone during pregnancy is a strongly debated topic. Research on animals point to a long lasting drug induced effect characterized by growth retardation and behavior abnormalities in offspring’s whose mothers were treated with methadone. Since Heroin is an intra venous drug it increases the chance of passing on hepatitis and HIV viruses to the baby.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a psychosimulant drug chemically related to amphetamine. Methamphetamine abuse by a pregnant woman causes increased blood pressure and heart beat of the baby. The drug constricts the blood vessels in the placenta diminishing the baby’s oxygen and nourishment supply, leading to a frail baby. Babies can get addicted to methamphetamine and exhibit withdrawal symptoms that include tremors, sleeplessness and muscle spasms. Methamphetamine is known to cause central nervous abnormalities, intestinal abnormalities and urogenital system abnormalities.

Hallucinogen (LSD, PCP, Ecstasy, Ketamine)

Hallucinogen drugs by altering a persons thought, emotion and perception. Hallucinogens are associated with spontaneous abortions and fetal abnormalities. Unconfirmed studies link LSD usage with chromosomal abnormalities. The psychedelic effect the drugs induces the mother to hurt herself, and the child in the process.