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 Use
Ideally if a woman is addicted to any drugs, street drugs or otherwise she should try and get treatment before becoming pregnant. Knowing that 50% of pregnancies are unplanned we all know 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.
Cocaine: This is 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
There are some drugs that research has shown cause no harm to the unborn child. Other drugs may or may not cause harm: the research is inconclusive, or in some cases can differ from person to person. Still other drugs are known to be extremely harmful. If you need to take any drug or medication during pregnancy, consult your physician or health care provider prior to use. If you are already taking prescription or other drugs when you become pregnant, consult with your physician or health care provider.
Always follow instructions from your health care provider or pharmacist. Be sure and talk to your health care provider before stopping any regular medications. The risks to some mothers and their babies by leaving their conditions untreated may be greater than the risks of taking the medication.
Caffeine
Caffeine is present in more than coffee and cola drinks. It is in ordinary tea, chocolate and several over-the-counter drugs. Caffeine enters the baby's bloodstream from the mother, and the baby's system is unable to process it. There are concerns that this might be harmful to the baby, so it is a good idea to limit your daily intake of caffeine to no more than 300 mg which is less than 2.5 cups of percolated or filter drip coffee or less than 3.5 cups of strong tea. ( One cup = 250ml )
If you have any questions about the safety of any substances you might be taking or might wish to take, talk to your health care provider or contact the Motherisk website www.motherisk.org or phoneline at 1-416-813-6780.
Adapted from the former Muskoka- Parry Sound Health Unit. July 2005
|
