Using drugs or alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding can have severe and lifelong consequences for infants and parents. The use of substances during pregnancy can result in myriad health problems for both child and child-bearer and emotional trauma. Even after childbirth, substances can be passed on to infants through breastfeeding.
The Risk of Stillbirth and Miscarriage
Narcotics, alcohol, smoking, and even prescription drugs can increase a person’s risk for miscarriage or stillbirth. For a baby, these substances can be fatal, even in small amounts. Using substances can also compromise the placenta itself, making it difficult for nutrients to be passed to the fetus.
Experiencing a miscarriage or stillbirth can also be dangerous for the parent, both physically and emotionally. There is a strong correlation between stillbirths and maternal mortality; a miscarriage can cause hemorrhaging, leading to death if not treated. The emotional impact of losing a pregnancy can be hard on both the child-bearer and other family members. Miscarriage and stillbirth can lead to trauma, guilt, loss, and depression.
Other Dangers Related to the Placenta
Substance abuse impacts the placenta, which can be particularly dangerous for the child-bearer. Two significant threats include placenta previa and placental abruption. Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta completely covers the cervix, the part of the reproductive system that connects the uterus to the vagina. This condition can cause severe bleeding in the child-bearer and pose threats to the baby, including premature birth, low birth weight, breathing problems, and birth injuries.
Placental abruption refers to the early separation of the placenta from the uterus. If this condition is not treated, it can lead to dangerously low blood pressure. Placental abruption may result in the death of the fetus from lack of nutrients.
Complications After a Succesful Birth
In addition to premature birth, low birth weight, breathing problems, and birth injuries, infants exposed to substances during pregnancy can also experience developmental disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. Premature babies may need to be kept under direct supervision for the first few months of their lives and have a higher risk of developing other problems related to sight, hearing, and development.
Low birth-weight can also bring dangerous complications such as underdeveloped lungs, difficulty gaining weight, and even hemorrhaging in the brain. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one major concern for those who may drink during pregnancy. FAS impacts both the cognitive and physical development of an infant and can lead to physical deformities, brain damage, and impaired growth. The impacts of FAS are not reversible and often lead to life-long problems for those born with it.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a common birth issue related to drug and alcohol use—it has even been linked to caffeine use. When a developing fetus is exposed to significant amounts of a substance, the fetus can develop a dependency on these symptoms can go through withdrawal after birth. Symptoms of NAS include fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blotchy skin, and even seizures—all of which can lead to dangerous complications for an infant and even death if not treated properly.
Avoiding the Impacts of Addiction
The best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery is to enter recovery before conception. Allowing the body to recover and altogether remove harmful substances from the body entirely will lessen the impact that addiction has during pregnancy. Ample time between recovery and conception will also give the parent more time to physically recover from withdrawals and improve their health before carrying a child. Having robust personal health is essential to maintain health during the changes that come with pregnancy and to keep the developing baby healthy.
However, unplanned pregnancies are common, and it’s not always possible to enter recovery before pregnancy. In these cases, many treatments are specific to pregnant individuals that are struggling with addiction. Usually, treatment for pregnant individuals with an addiction looks different than treatment for those who are not pregnant—meaning it’s important to speak with a medical professional who can recommend the proper steps to take and treatment centers to contact. Attempting to stop using substances without consulting with a doctor can result in withdrawal symptoms that can harm the baby. When pregnant and attempting to treat addiction, the earlier, the better as the effects of substances on the fetus become more pronounced further into pregnancy.
Coping with Effects of Addiction After Pregnancy
For those who have experienced addiction during pregnancy that led to miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects, dealing with the emotions that come with them can be a painful experience. These outcomes could create intense feelings of guilt or shame that harm the parent and the child if delivery was successful. Many of the individuals in these situations may require extra care and compassion from loved ones in addition to therapy. Addiction is an illness that is difficult to control, requiring treatment that is not always accessible. Practicing self-care and providing the care that a child with congenital disabilities may need are essential steps to recovering from guilt and entering into addiction recovery.
Struggling with addiction while considering pregnancy or while pregnant can present an entirely new set of problems for those who wish to take care of themselves and protect their developing baby. Understanding the consequences of addiction on pregnancy can help us to make the necessary changes to ensure the health of both child-bearer and child. If you are considering pregnancy and want to enter recovery before conception, call Rancho Milagro at (951) 526-4582 to discuss your treatment options. We offer both detox and inpatient care as well as gender-specific treatment. Our team is full of compassionate and professional individuals committed to your care, ready to provide you with individualized treatment to fit your personal needs. At Rancho Milagro, we believe in treating the whole person, mind, body, and spirit; thus, we provide a wide selection of therapy options. Treatment with us means having a powerful entry into recovery and finding the path to maintaining it.