Pregnant mothers should not take drugs, drink alcohol or smoke tobacco.
Smoking, even second -hand smoke, can cause cancer, deficiencies in the growth and development of the fetus, low birth weight, breakthrough bleeding, miscarriages, placenta previa, abrubtio placenta, premature rupture of the membranes and even death of the fetus. For every cigarette a mother-to-be smokes, 20 minutes of the needed oxygen is kept from the baby. Fathers who smoke are also affected. They will be less fertile with lower sperm counts.
Even minimal drinking can cause behavioral problems, development problems, miscarriages, premature birth or stillbirths. Serious problems such as mental retardation and physical defects can result from heavy drinking. Of course heavy drinking can be very harmful to a fetus, possibly causing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; however, tests have not been able to prove how much a mother can drink before causing harm to the baby. Because of this, doctors recommend not drinking at all while pregnant.
Taking drugs while pregnant can cause birth defects, low birth weight, premature births, stillborn births, behavioral problems, and can even cause brain structure changes. They can also affect a child's memory and attentiveness. The baby can be born addicted to drugs. Crack cocaine often result in "crack babies", babies that have severe physical and mental issues.
Smoking, even second -hand smoke, can cause cancer, deficiencies in the growth and development of the fetus, low birth weight, breakthrough bleeding, miscarriages, placenta previa, abrubtio placenta, premature rupture of the membranes and even death of the fetus. For every cigarette a mother-to-be smokes, 20 minutes of the needed oxygen is kept from the baby. Fathers who smoke are also affected. They will be less fertile with lower sperm counts.
Even minimal drinking can cause behavioral problems, development problems, miscarriages, premature birth or stillbirths. Serious problems such as mental retardation and physical defects can result from heavy drinking. Of course heavy drinking can be very harmful to a fetus, possibly causing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; however, tests have not been able to prove how much a mother can drink before causing harm to the baby. Because of this, doctors recommend not drinking at all while pregnant.
Taking drugs while pregnant can cause birth defects, low birth weight, premature births, stillborn births, behavioral problems, and can even cause brain structure changes. They can also affect a child's memory and attentiveness. The baby can be born addicted to drugs. Crack cocaine often result in "crack babies", babies that have severe physical and mental issues.