Pregnancy and the Dangers of Drug Use

The use of heroin, cocaine, and other illicit drugs has become a public health concern especially during pregnancy. Maternal substance abuse has become an issue during the crack epidemic in the 1980’s; however, there is an alarm rate of infants born addicted to heroin. More than 3.7% women have indicated the uses some form of illicit drugs during their pregnancy, as well as 1.9 % reports binge drinking (Bhuvaneswar el at., 2008; Grant el at., 2009). With this in mind, more than 375,000 infants are born to maternal substance abusers each year costing over $100,000 in medical expenses covered by the state (Reitman, 2002).

Substance abuse during pregnancy can have a negative force on the health and wellness of not only the fetus, but that of the mother. The harmful effects of medications, alcohol and illegal drugs on an unborn child can be devastating and can have significant consequences to its use. Sometimes the effects can be faced and treated, and other times the outcome is a lifelong challenge. During the prenatal period, it is important that new mothers are informed of the different types of abuse, how they may affect the fetus, and the adverse conditions their child may be faced with before and after birth.

It is a proven fact that cocaine use during pregnancy leads to serious complications. Cocaine can cross the placenta and enters the baby’s body, where it stays for longer because the elimination system is not fully developed. It leads to various complications and cocaine use in any form should be avoided throughout the pregnancy.

I would like to research if women should face criminal charges for using drugs while pregnant. Women who use substances while pregnant is a serious social and health issue. Prenatal exposure to substances can lead to a number of medical, physical and behavioral problems for the child. Many women who use drugs while pregnant become involved with the legal system and face criminal prosecution, child abuse and neglect charges.

Through the years, substance misuse in the United States has turned into an industrious issue influencing numerous people. In 2008, it was assessed that 17.8 million Americans beyond 18 years old where substance subordinate. Women who use medications during pregnancy can have an enduring impact on fetal. Medications can have an impact of maternal and child wellbeing, yet there are a lot of different variables, which influence it, poor social environment, nourishment, cleanliness, and sexual abuse. Regenerative interruption connected with heroin utilization has been shown in both and women and even low dosages of opiates can impede ordinary ovarian capacity and ovulation. The harm that goes hand in hand with substance utilization comes either straightforwardly from the impact of the medication itself or from issues identified with development and/or unexpected labor. The entanglements of jumbling components clamorous way of life, poor nourishment, liquor utilization and cigarette smoking influence the appraisal of the impacts of cocaine in pregnancy. In obstetric practice, 100% of pregnant women utilizing cocaine or heroin are cigarette smokers. Cigarette smoking is presumably the most well known manifestation of substance utilizes and is noteworthy corresponding considering ladies who use unlawful medications. Babies whose moms smoked in pregnancy have a tendency to have lower conception weights and diminished length, cranial and thoracic

The use of controlled substances throughout pregnancy is a very prevalent issue among society today. Controlled substances have devastating effects on not only the mothers using the substances, but also infants while they are in utero and after they are born. Many infants born to mothers, who are abusing drugs, suffer from life threatening illnesses and are forever affected through adulthood. Specifically, heroin is a common drug form that is often used during pregnancy and results in the life threatening effects mentioned above.

The Adoption Encyclopedia “ Estimates of the percentage of pregnant women using cocaine have ranged from 10% to as high as 28% in some areas.” Cocaine is one of the oldest drugs known to man. This is a powerfully addictive stimulant, and is derived from coca leaves, and this drug has been abused for thousands of years. Crack Cocaine's worst damage to the fetus is its effect on the brain. It causes the brain's of both the mother and the fetus to experience the typical surge of dopamine. Since the fetal brain is still in the process of development, it can result in serious psychological addiction, attention deficit disorders, lack of cognitive abilities and developmental problems. Also crack's effects on the fetus result in seizures. Babies that are exposed to crack are at increased risk of birth defects, which include heart deformities. Crack causes an unborn baby to have a stroke or a heart attack. Cocaine abuse by mothers during pregnancy is linked with abnormalities in the development of the heart both before and after birth. Crack Cocaine

In the United States, there has been a growing concern for the number of newborn children that have been exposed to drugs while in utero. The defenseless fetus is subject to any and all substances that the mother ingests, injects, or inhales into her body. Significantly decreased gestational ages as well as low birth weight have been linked to infants that have been born to mothers who are engaging in substance abuse. Marijuana, cocaine, cigarettes, methamphetamine, heroin, and alcohol are some of the more widely abused substances among pregnant mothers (Bailey, McCook, Hodge, & McGrady, 2012).

According to Substance use during pregnancy: time for policy to catch up with research, “The drug war has included treatment of addicts and prevention but the emphasis has been on law enforcement; control at the source, interdiction, arrest, prosecution, imprisonment and seizure of assets (Lester, Andreozzi, & Appiah, 2004).” In other words the focus on the fight against drugs has been punishment. Many people view pregnant drug users as child abusers, child neglectors, and even murderers. In a lot of cases this is true. There are thousands of children today who suffer the consequences for their parents actions. In many places, women lose their children or end up in behind bars (Miranda, Dixon, & Reyes, 2015). Tennessee is the only state that considers it a crime to use drugs while pregnant (Miranda, Dixon, & Rayes, 2015). On the other hand, Alabama and South Carolina’s high courts have interpreted existing child endangerment and chemical endangerment statutes in order to prosecute drug-using pregnant women and new mothers (Miranda, Dixon, & Rayes, 2015). The main

“Crack-babies” a media induced phenomena brought about by the climax of public outcry from the results of the 1980’s war on drugs. This term laid the foundation for biased prosecutions which sparked a political crusade during climate of the time. Thus exploiting the public’s fear of children born to substance addicted mother and creating a firestorm of litigation to prosecute pregnant drug addicts. According to Flavin, Paltrow (2010), current evidence points to public stigmas and prejudice as posing a greater danger to both maternal and fetal health than use of the drug itself. Leaving the question as to why addicted women are still publicly reviled for the outcomes of their circumstances. From this abhorrence stems the likelihood that

Many women, including teens, abuse drugs while they are pregnant. This rate is especially high to those who are homeless, underprivileged, or live in a broken home. In order for drug abusers to even have a chance at beating their addiction they have to have support whether it’s family, friends, or boyfriend/spouse. They must also let the abuser now all the consequences to themselves and the unborn child. There are many consequences when using drugs during pregnancy such as miscarriage, health risks to baby, and health risks to the mother. And learning disabilities and brain damage to the fetus.

2005) “Pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption and premature and prolonged rupture of the membranes, are more common in substance abusing women, and as a consequence their infants are more likely to be born prematurely and/or of low birth weight.” (Greenough, A., & Kassim, Z. 2005) “There is also an increased rate of stillbirth and growth retardation.” (Greenough, A., & Kassim, Z. 2005) “Infants exposed to certain drugs in utero become physically dependent on them. (3) After birth the infants suffer withdrawal symptoms, or NAS.” (Greenough, A., & Kassim, Z. 2005) “They have a high pitched cry and suffer from restlessness, hyperrelexia, jitteriness, hypertonia, myoclonic jerks, convulsions, frequent yawning, sneezing, nasal flaring and tachypnea, excessive sucking or rooting, poor feeding, regurgitation or projectile vomiting and loose or watery stools.”(Greenough, A., & Kassim, Z. 2005) “Cocaine exposure in utero increases the risk of cerebral palsy and has been associated with significantly lower intelligence quotients and poorer language development.” (Greenough, A., & Kassim, Z.

Getting pregnant during a crucial time in life while using drugs doesn’t just put the baby at risk it puts the mother at high risk too. The causes listed in the article states miscarrying, low birth weight, premature labor, placental abruption, fetal death, and even maternal death. Marijuana causes problems with proper oxygen the baby needs to have to grow. It causes many low birth weight, premature birth developmental delays, and behavioral learning problems. Cocaine stays dormant in the baby longer than in mother. Cocaine during the pregnancy the placenta could erupt causing a miscarriage. Placental abruption can kill the baby. Cocaine can cause stunting of the growth in the genitals, kidneys and the brain. Heroin causes breathing difficulties

Pregnancy among women drug users, is on the rise in the word today. According to The Universities of Michigan and Pittsburg (April 30, 2012), a baby is born addicted to drugs every hour. These babies are at high risk of experiencing birth defects and possibly growing up to be addicted to drugs as well. Most are born at a very low birth weight, usually under four pounds; which is also an ongoing problem as they grow.

Taking drugs absolutely has an effect on a fetus, mostly the ability to create the fetus. But these effects are not limited to just the potential mother. Drugs, both legal and illegal, can affect a man’s fertility. Alcohol and smoking also have a negative effect on a man’s fertility. Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to “decreased production of testosterone, increased rate of testosterone being cleared from the bloodstream, and an increase in estrogen levels.” (Drugs and Male Fertility, n.d.). Tobacco consumption of the father seems to be very similar in its effects when the mother is the smoker. Low birth weight, and an increased risk of various cancers are a few of the effects, in addition to an “increased risk of fathering a child