The Effects of Stimulants During Pregnancy
What is methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug made in illegal laboratories. It is also called "speed," "meth," and "chalk." Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as "ice," "crystal," "glass," and "tina."
Studies show that women who use methamphetamine during pregnancy have higher rates of miscarriage, premature birth and babies born too small. Methamphetamine acts on the brain to release chemicals that act throughout the body. One response to the drug is an increase in the mother's blood pressure and heart rate. This effect is probably responsible for these problems.
What's wrong with being born early? Aren't small babies easier?
Premature babies have more problems because they are underdeveloped at birth. Being born early can cause bleeding in the brain, difficulty breathing, and makes babies prone to infections. Some premature babies don't survive while others are left with lifelong health problems, like blindness and learning and developmental problems. New studies show that babies small at birth may be at much higher risk to develop problems like diabetes later in life.
Methamphetamines affect babies in other ways, too.
It is known that methamphetamine passes to the fetus through the placenta and can cause elevated fetal blood pressure, damaging the brain, heart and other major organs. Newborns that were exposed to methamphetamines in the womb can be more difficult to care for because they can be jittery and might eat and sleep poorly.
So what you can do?
Women report that they are more likely to practice "risky" sex while using meth. This can put them at risk for HIV, other infections and pregnancy.
If you use meth and are sexually active, plan ahead. Use birth control and protection for STDs every time.
If you are pregnant, stay away from methamphetamines and tell your health care provider what you have used.
If you cannot stop on your own, get help. There are programs that can help you stop using meth and other drugs. Your doctor or nurse can find a program to help you. Even if you have been through a treatment program before, try it again. There are programs just for mothers.
What is cocaine and crack?
Cocaine is another addictive stimulant drug that is snorted, sniffed, injected, or smoked. Crack is cocaine that has been processed into chunky crystals for smoking. Cocaine is also called "coke," "snow," "flake," and "blow."
Crack and pregnancy don't mix. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system. During the early months of pregnancy, cocaine exposure may increase the risk for miscarriages. Later in pregnancy, cocaine use can cause the placenta to separate from the wall of the uterus before labor begins. This can lead to extensive bleeding and can be fatal for both the mother and baby.
Cocaine affects babies, too.
Newborns of mothers who have used cocaine throughout pregnancy are more irritable, jittery, and have interrupted sleep patterns. Babies exposed to cocaine, especially those exposed near birth, are at greater risk for birth defects such as abnormalities of the skull, face, eyes, heart, limbs, intestines, genitals and urinary tract.
Babies tend to weigh less, be shorter in length and have smaller heads than babies born without exposure to cocaine. Cocaine causes significant central nervous system problems. Children exposed to cocaine while in the womb are at increased risk for learning and behavioral problems that might not show up until school age.
So what can you do?
If you smoke crack or inhale cocaine and are sexually active, use birth control every time.
And if you are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant - even if there's just a chance - avoid the use of cocaine, in any amount or any form.