More than 50% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or
use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy, and use
of drugs during pregnancy is increasing. In general, drugs should not be used during pregnancy unless
necessary because many can harm the fetus. About 2 to 3% of all birth defects result from drugs that
are taken to treat a disorder or symptom.
How Drugs Cross the Placenta: Some of the fetus's blood vessels are contained in tiny hairlike projections (villi) of the placenta that extend into the wall
of the uterus. The mother's blood passes through the space surrounding the villi (intervillous space). Only a thin membrane (placental membrane)
separates the mother's blood in the intervillous space from the fetus's blood in the villi. Drugs in the mother's blood can cross this membrane into blood
vessels in the villi and pass through the umbilical cord to the fetus.
types of drugs and their effects on the growing fetus
illicit drugs
opiods
marijauna
heroine
cocaine
crystal meth
prescription drugs
anti-hupertensives
antibiotics
antipsychotics
antidepressions
moms testimonials of what is was like being on drugs while being pregnant
political initiatives against the abuse of drugs and alcohol during preganancy?
Racial and community
statistics of female addicts during pregnancy
statistic for African American
women
African Americans were significantly less likely to be in treatment compared to non-African Americans (15,16).
This may be due to experiencing greater barriers to accessing treatment, such as problems with transportation,
childcare, and cost, as well as the lack of cultural competence on the part of health care staff
statistics for hispanic women
statistics for caucasian
women
white women were nearly eight times as likely to recognize their problem drug/ alcohol use and want to
enroll in treatment, compared to African-American women
statistics for aboriginal
women
nursing intiatives against the abuse of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy