SUBSTANCE ABUSE: PRESCRIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS

• Unless recommended by your doctor, it is best to avoid all drugs during pregnancy. 
• Most drugs pass through the placenta and affect the developing baby, including prescription drugs and over the counter products as well as illegal drugs.

Substance abuse

• If a woman is addicted to any drugs, she should try and get treatment before becoming pregnant.
• Knowing that 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, this isn’t always possible.
• The next important step would be tell your health care provider who can assist you with the withdrawal and recovery process and arrange a referral to an alcohol and drug treatment centre as needed. 
• For women who use street drugs, withdrawing from their use can be very challenging, but choosing not to stop can cause permanent harm to the baby.
• Those who share needles should remember the additional risks of AIDS and hepatitis, both to the mother and the unborn child.
• Babies born to mothers who use street drugs
• May have brain damage that will affect their ability to learn
• Are usually smaller than other babies
• Cry a lot and are more likely to be fussy

• Cocaine: a powerful, addictive drug that increases the risk of the placenta separating from the uterus, lower birth weight and preterm labour. Withdrawal from cocaine should be conducted with a doctor's supervision.
• Marijuana: smoking marijuana produces the same oxygen-limiting effects as smoking tobacco. There is also some evidence to suggest there could be long term harm to the baby from the use of marijuana by the mother.

Prescription Drugs/ Over the Counter Drugs

• See Medications During Pregnancy

For more information:

• Call the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 to speak to a Public Health Nurse
• Consult your health care provider
• The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse – call 1-613-235-4048 or visit www.ccsa.ca
• Call the Motherisk Home Line at 416-813-6780 or visit www.motherisk.org