1. November 7, 2011
Drugs and Alcohol in Pregnancy
LPN 105 – Group 4

2.  Overview:
 Drugs and alcohol can be harmful during any
stage of pregnancy both prescription and non
prescription. However, fetal harm is of the greatest
concern during the first trimester when the
earliest development is critical. Unfortunately, a
woman may not be aware of their pregnancy at
this stage. Both drugs and alcohol cross the
placenta with similar complications. Many women
who abuse one drug have the additional problem
of abusing more than one at the same time doubly
increasing the risks to the pregnancy.

3.  Risk of premature birth and miscarriage
 Low birth weight, hypoglycemia and
intercranial hemorrhage
 Babies may have failure to thrive or grow at
normal rates after birth.

4.  Leading known cause of birth defects
 Risk of miscarriage doubles
 Average birth weight of babies is about 4 lbs
for babies exposed to large amounts of alcohol
 Can cause malformations especially in the first
ten weeks
 Problems with heart, limbs, and facial features
in baby are indicative of Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome

5. S&S: Small skull, Abnormal facial features, Heart
defects, Impeded growth, Mental retardation.
Simple eye movement test on infant used to
diagnose
Highest risk for FAS is binge drinking

7. Drugs and Tobacco Usage………..,
Facts S&S

8.  Passes nicotine and cancer causing agents to fetus
 Increases risk of SIDS
 Only about 20% of women who smoke quit during
pregnancy
 Inhibits fetal growth
 Depresses woman’s appetite and possibly
depriving nutrition to fetus
 Reduces the ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen
and possibly depriving some oxygen to the fetus.
However, studies indicate the body does
compensate for these losses by forcing the
hemoglobin to carry more oxygen.

9. Marijuana, Cocaine and Meth, Heroin,
PCP LSD

10. Contains toxins like tobacco inhibiting
oxygen supply
Occasional use during the 1st trimester
is unlikely to cause birth defects.

11. If used especially in later pregnancy an infant
experiences profound withdrawal, sleepnessness,
difficulty feeding and muscle spasms.
Defects of genitals, kidneys and brain are possible
with early pregnancy use.
Learning difficulties often prevail throughout
childhood.

12.  Withdrawal symptoms in these infants is the
most profound than any other drug.
 Infant death is more common than with any
other drug.
 More likelihood of HIV infection in infant as
Heroin is often injected

13.  Brain damage
 Birth defects

14.  If a woman anticipates
Prevention becoming pregnant then a
health care provider’s best
Educate, approach is to educate
Educate women of child bearing age
educate! to:
 Stop smoking.
 Do not drink alcohol.
 Do not use illegal drugs.

15. DO’S DONT’S
 Safe, confidential  No sudden detox for
pregnancy detox for drug drug addicted mothers
addiction is available via
 Even secondhand
substance abuse treatment
centers.
tobacco smoke should
be avoided.
 Psychiatric and obsteteric
evaluation and care are
primary venues for
women to seek treatment
and/or referrals.

16. Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexon are used for
controlled medical detox.
There are few supported studies on long term effects but,
clearly preferable to drug abuse.

17. Again - supportive non judgmental care.
Use referrals to available resources to assist
women.
Keep in mind that these mothers are fearful of
many factors including losing custody of other
children, incarceration or criminal charges
and, at the very least embarassment.

18. Currently no states hold prenatal substance abuse
as a criminal act of child abuse and neglect.
However, many states have expanded child
welfare requirements to include substance abuse
during pregnancy as grounds for termination of
parental rights.

20. http://www.nsnet.org/nsfas/symptoms.html