Harmful Effects of Drug Abuse During Pregnancy
Harmful Effects of Drug Abuse during Pregnancy When a woman becomes pregnant, it is vital to her baby 's health that she leads a healthy life. For a pregnant woman, substance abuse is twice as dangerous. Any drug use while pregnant has dangerous effects. First, drugs may harm her own health, which interferes with her ability to support the pregnancy. Second, some drugs can directly impair prenatal development. During pregnancy, virtually all drugs pose a danger. Even legal substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and prescription drugs are dangerous to expecting women. As many as one in ten babies may be born to women (who use illegal and prescription drugs during their pregnancies.) The most commonly taken drug during pregnancy is caffeine. It’s most common because caffeine is in a lot of our everyday substances such as; coffee, soda, tea and chocolate. Studies show that caffeine consumed throughout pregnancy leads to babies born with low birth weights. The second most common drug used during pregnancy is nicotine. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy effects the growth of a baby’s brain and heart. It also slows down the weight gain and causes low birth weights. Caffeine though a drug it isn’t the same as a narcotics. Narcotics is a drug that is subscribed to a person for pain which you need identification to even fill the subscription; whereas caffeine is something you can buy in a store to make your morning coffee. There is a relationship between caffeine and birth defects. Recent studies point out that caffeine can reduce a woman 's chances of becoming pregnant (Melton, p17). Therefore, the best advice for women who want to become pregnant and give birth to a strong, healthy baby is to avoid caffeine, which is not good for their health. Doctors do not advise the use of caffeine during pregnancy.
In conclusion, we can see that using caffeine is not healthy at all. People should control it more carefully. The risk of heart attacks, breast disease
In conclusion, we can see that using caffeine is not healthy at all. People should control it more carefully. The risk of heart attacks, breast disease
Cited: American Council for Drug Education. "ACDE HOME." Phoenix House, January 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2011 < http://www.acde.org/> OTIS. "The Hospital for Sick Children - Mothers." The Hospital for Sick Children - Mothers. The Hospital for Sick Children, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://www.motherisk.org/women/links>