In the past several years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of pregnant women who use drugs, and an alarming rise in the number of babies born affected by drugs. Some of these babies are born with serious health problems.
Drugs can affect a pregnant woman and her unborn baby in many ways. During the early months of the pregnancy it can cause a miscarriage, and if drugs are used late in the pregnancy it can trigger labor. Drugs can cause an unborn baby to die or have a stroke, which can cause irreversible brain damage. Women who use drugs during pregnancy are three times more likely to have a premature baby.
Babies who are are exposed to drugs before they are born may start life with serious health problems. Many are born to soon or too small. Babies that are born prematurely usually have low-birthweight, and are 40 times more likely to die in their first month than normal-weight babies. Some babies exposed to drugs before birth have brain damage. Mothers who use drugs during their pregnancy will find that their baby is in less physical condition than a baby who has not been exposed to drugs. The babies that have been exposed to drugs have poor physical conditions and poor overall responsiveness.
Babies exposed to drugs during pregnancy may have respiratory and neurological problems, including seizures, during the new born period. At birth, the babies go through a withdrawal period from drugs. Many are very jittery and irritable, and get startled over the lightest sound or touch.
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