What happens if you drink or take drugs while pregnant?

Taking drugs during pregnancy also increases the chance of birth defects, premature babies, underweight babies, and stillborn births. Exposure to drugs such as marijuana — also called weed, ganja, dope, or pot — and alcohol before birth has been proven to cause behavior problems in early childhood.

What happens when you drink while pregnant?

Your baby cannot process alcohol as well as you can, and too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect their development. Drinking alcohol, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy, increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and your baby having a low birthweight.

How does alcohol affect fetal development?

Alcohol present in a developing baby’s bloodstream can interfere with the development of the brain and other critical organs, structures, and physiological systems. Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the United States.

When is it okay to have a glass of wine while pregnant?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Pregnancy Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics all note that no amount of wine during pregnancy is deemed safe and that consuming wine while pregnant should be avoided.

How do drugs cause birth defects?

However, drugs that do not cross the placenta may still harm the fetus by affecting the uterus or the placenta. Drugs that a pregnant woman takes during pregnancy can affect the fetus in several ways: They can act directly on the fetus, causing damage, abnormal development (leading to birth defects.

What drugs can cause stillbirth?

Smoking tobacco or marijuana, taking prescription painkillers, or using illegal drugs during pregnancy is associated with double or even triple the risk of stillbirth, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Can alcohol cause birth defects?

Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). Birth defects related to prenatal alcohol exposure can include abnormalities in the heart, kidneys, bones, hearing, or a combination of these.

Can alcohol affect baby before placenta formed?

Alcohol consumption in the first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and premature birth. Once the placenta forms and begins to function, then there is an increased risk of your baby having specific birth defects related to alcohol consumption.

What are the birth defects caused by alcohol?

Birth defects. FAS can cause heart, bone, and kidney problems. Vision problems and hearing loss are common. Seizures and other neurologic problems, such as learning disabilities, and poor balance and coordination.

When a pregnant woman drinks beer wine or liquor?

There is no known “safe” amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first 3 months of pregnancy; however, drinking alcohol anytime during pregnancy can be harmful. Alcohol includes beer, wine, wine coolers, and liquor.