Substance Use During Pregnancy

Effects Of Drug Use During Pregnancy 

Pregnancy complications and birth defects caused by alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drug use are completely preventable.

The US Surgeon General recommends complete abstinence from alcohol for all women who are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant.  Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, mental retardation, skeletal abnormalities, organ malformations. low birth weight, learning problems, and fetal alcohol syndrome.

Tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, placental disruption, placenta previa, preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, cleft lip and palate, neonatal mortality and sudden infant death syndrome.

In the United States, approximately 4% of pregnant women use illicit drugs, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines.  This drug use can cause serious problems in the developing fetus and newborn, and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and hepatitis.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309