Drugs and Their Effects on Women from Utero into Adulthood

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Recommended: Using drugs during pregnancy can have an effect on an unborn child which can lead to some pregnancy complications like premature rupture of membranes, meconium-stained liquor and foetal distress, placental abruption and sudden infant death

Women carry a heavy burden when it comes to the survival of our species. For nine months, a woman is the temporary home and life support that keeps a fetus alive and healthy. Unfortunately, if any one woman decides to put herself before the developing child inside of her, there can be damaging consequences. There are many things, both legal and illegal, that can radically alter the outcome of the child growing inside of a woman. Alcohol and drug consumption during pregnancy in many places around the world is seen as taboo, while others are less mindful of the potential effects of such choices and in some cases actually condone drug use during pregnancy. Regardless of the cultural influences that exist, women should take into consideration what can happen if the fetus is exposed to alcohol and drugs. The effects of drugs in utero can have severe and everlasting effects throughout a child’s lifespan.
1. Cannabis
Marijuana is a rapidly growing topic for discussion due to states legalizing its use outside of medicinal purposes. But the law cannot dictate who is allowed to use it once he or she has met the legal age requirement. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed “27 percent of the subjects had used marijuana during pregnancy” (Zuckerman et al.).
Women who smoke marijuana during pregnancy have an amplified chance of delivering preterm babies who may have a lower head and chest circumference, as well as reduced birth weight ("MSACD Marijuana."). Because of these effects, the fetus has an increased risk of mental retardation that could manifest itself later in life.
Just as with smoking during pregnancy, usage can still affect the baby after birth if the mother is breastfeeding. What the mother is taking into...

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...ve advocacy for the tribes of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
"Learn About Marijuana: Factsheets: Reproduction and Pregnancy." ADAI Home Page: Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute, Univ. of Washington, Seattle. N.p., Dec. 2012. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
Marino, Melissa. "Cocaine exposure's lasting effects studied." Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Weekly Newspaper. Reporter, 12 Jan. 2007. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
"MSACD Marijuana." SOM - Department of Psychiatry Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
"NOFAS – National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – Living with FASD." NOFAS – National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
Zuckerman, Barry, et al. "Effects of Maternal Marijuana and Cocaine Use on Fetal Growth." The New England Journal of Medicine. The New England Journal of Medicine, 23 Mar. 1989. Web. 31 May 2014.

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