The Effects of Substance Abuse on the Fetus

When a pregnant mother chooses to abuse alcohol or illicit drugs, she forces her unborn fetus to use these substances as well. While drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, cigarettes, alcohol and methamphetamines can have a negative effect on an adult, the effects on a tiny, unborn fetus are multiplied, placing the unborn child at risk of stillbirth; premature birth; physical, cognitive and mental defects; and addiction.

Marijuana

• Marijuana can cause the fetus to be born at a low birthweight. Fetuses exposed to marijuana and its components in utero can be born addicted to marijuana as well as suffering from developmental disabilities.

  Fetuses exposed to marijuana grow more slowly than those fetuses who are not exposed to this drug. Mothers who smoke marijuana while pregnant run the risk of a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.
  Babies born to mothers who habitually smoked marijuana during pregnancy exhibit fetal alcohol syndrome-like symptoms such as problems with the nervous system, being born too small and abnormally shaped heads.

Alcohol

• Fetuses exposed to alcohol in utero can develop physical and mental problems that will last their entire lives. One specific syndrome of alcohol-exposed fetuses is called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Visible evidence of this syndrome can include odd facial features, such as a flat face and small eye openings. Other manifestations of FASD include growth problems, birth defects such as heart problems, eye problems, problems with the bones and/or urinary tract problems. The unborn baby will also be at risk of behavior and learning difficulties after birth.

Cocaine/Crack

• The fetus who is exposed to cocaine or crack is at increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. The mother who habitually abuses crack or cocaine is putting herself and her baby at risk of premature or fatal labor and delivery of the fetus.

  In-utero exposure to cocaine or crack can cause the fetus to develop seizures or have a stroke. The fetus could also develop cerebral palsy because of exposure to the drug. If the baby is born, he could be mentally retarded, have abnormalities of his urinary tract, have hearing and vision problems, or have learning disabilities. He could also be autistic.

Cigarettes

• Cigarettes deprive the fetus of needed oxygen, thus leading to developmental problems after birth. Nicotine is extremely addictive and this addiction can be passed on to the fetus through the mother's blood stream.

  Cigarettes and nicotine exert a negative effect on over 200 neurochemicals in the brain of the developing fetus. Serotonin, adrenaline and dopamine are just a few of the chemicals that can be affected.

Methamphetamine

• Methamphetamine, which is highly addictive to the user, can have very negative effects on the fetus. The mother using methamphetamine could experience premature labor.

  Using methamphetamine suppresses the mother's appetite. Thus, the fetus is deprived of vital nutrients and grows more slowly. If the fetus makes it to full term, she will be a low-birthweight baby.