What is it about ?
Pregnancy in a drug addict is always considered a high risk pregnancy. This means that there is an increased risk of problems for mother and child, during pregnancy, during and after childbirth.
The products discussed in this patient guide are alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, and heroin. There are other illegal drugs that this guide does not cover. All these drinks are not recommended during pregnancy.
What are the risks ?
Excessive consumption ofalcohol during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight, stunted growth, premature birth and birth defects.
In the event of excessive alcohol consumption, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can develop. This term covers all the abnormalities occurring in the child due to excessive alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy. These are congenital anomalies, behavioral disorders and delayed intellectual development. The baby may also be irritable, have difficulty breastfeeding, and have difficulty developing.
Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy is defined as consuming more than 5 normal drinks (units) of alcohol at a time or more than 10 units per week (1 unit = 33 ml of medium-strong beer, 12 ml of wine or 4 ml of spirits). 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week during pregnancy is unlikely to harm the baby. However, no clear safe limits have been determined for alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
To smoke during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, malformation of the palate and lip (cleft palate), low birth weight and stunted growth, premature birth and of sudden death.
There are several risks associated with the use of illegal drugs.
A pregnant woman who takes amphetamines does not gain weight, which easily leads to undernutrition of mother and child.
The use of amphetamines or cocaine increases the risk of low birth weight, premature birth, placental abruption, heart defects. The newborn baby may have symptoms such as increased blood pressure, abnormal crying, vomiting, and difficulty breastfeeding.
Excessive cannabis use can shorten the duration of pregnancy by a few weeks and result in low birth weight. The child may also have trouble with attention, problems with short-term memory, and difficulty controlling impulses.
Using opioids, such as heroin, until the last stage of pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor asks each pregnant woman what medicines she is taking, he asks her if she smokes and how much, how much alcohol she drinks and if she takes drugs.
There are different questionnaires with scores to detect excessive alcohol consumption. The usual questions are:
- How often do you drink alcohol?
- How much alcohol do you drink?
- Have you ever tended to drink less?
- Do you ever feel guilty when you’ve been drinking?
- Do your family drink alcohol? Does your partner drink?
- Have you been drunk in the past year?
- Do you sometimes drink to get over a hangover?
What can you do ?
If you use substances and are pregnant, contact your GP or gynecologist for close medical follow-up.
The best thing to do, of course, is to stop using these substances altogether. Since substance use is often associated with undernutrition, eat enough and vary your diet. You can also take vitamin and mineral supplements (eg magnesium) and trace elements (eg folic acid, iron). Discuss it with the doctor.
What can the doctor do?
The doctor will give you information about the risks of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy. Talking about it sometimes already has a beneficial effect and leads to a reduction in substance use.
The healthcare professionals will discuss with you what can help you reduce or stop your consumption. Sometimes other specialists are involved, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
If you drink alcohol regularly or have last used drugs less than a year ago, it is important to talk to your gynecologist. It can give you detailed information about the effects of alcohol and drugs on your baby. He will also monitor the growth of the baby.
After birth, a pediatrician will be attentive to any possible health or developmental problems of your child.
Want to know more?
- Infor-Drogues – Another listen
- Alcohol, Ecstasy, Speed, Internet, Cannabis, Cocaine, Sleeping pills or tranquilizers, Gambling, update on your consumption – Stop or else?
- Alcohol and pregnancy (video) – SPF Public health, safety of the food chain and the environment
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Alcohol aid – Le Pélican & Le center ALFA
- AA – Alcoholics Anonymous
- Infor-Drogues – Another listen
- ONE – Office of Birth and Childhood
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