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Excessive Smoking, Drinking and Drugs

Do my partner and I, both need to stop smoking

Yes. If you or your partner smoke try to stop. This may be the most important thing you can do for your own and your baby's health.  The reason is that while you are planning conception, the healthier the egg and sperm, the greater the chances of a healthier baby.  After conception has taken place, excessive smoking is known to cause severe deformities in the unborn baby.
 

Is alcohol consumption harmful

Heavy drinking can affect your menstrual cycle. As long as drinking, smoking and drug use have been curtailed before getting pregnant, prior use seems to pose almost no risk to the baby. However, once you think of planning a pregnancy, both you and your partner should try to limit your alcohol intake to as little as possible. Remember that the healthier the egg and the sperm, the greater the chances of a healthier baby.  Once conception has taken place, although an occasional drink is not harmful, the mother should exercise greater discipline in her alcohol consumption.
 

I have been taking illicit drugs.  Will they be harmful to the baby

As long as all illicit drug taking (like marijuana, cocaine, etc) has taken place before conception, there is no clear evidence to indicate any harmful effects on the baby.  However, these drugs should certainly not have been in the system when conception occurred, since they may have affected the sperm or the egg (of course, depending on the type of drug and the amount consumed).  Once pregnancy has commenced, these drugs can be extremely harmful to the baby.

More Articles on:
Pregnancy | Conception | Planning | Conceive | Complications | Risk Factors | Smoking | Alcohol | Drugs


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Recent comments (104 comments)
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Name: Larea Claus
Country: Cape verde

i wanted a healthy and bonny baby so i stopped smoking , quit alcohol and other vices long before i conceived. just last month i had a healthy baby and i am glad that i had to quit all the vices for the health of my baby ...it was difficult for me initially but i am glad i did it.
 
Name: Maple Symmonds
Country: Bermuda

i was on drugs before i conceived i am now 4 weeks pregnant. i hope i have a healthy pregnancy, how do i know that my baby is healthy and that there are no side effects of drugs which i used to take . i am praying for a healthy pregnancy....
 
Name: Claudia Finns
Country: Macao

what does occasional drink mean? i am pregnant and i drink once a week, i hope it is ok and will not harm the baby. can i have drink twice a week or do i have to decrease further.
 
Name: Mary Lee
Country: australia

i am 51 and pregnant. what are my chances of having a down's syndrome baby? you have given the chance for a 40 year old of 3%, but i am a lot older than that.
 
Name: Amy O.
Country: japan

having a baby after age 35
 
Name: patel
Country: India

my right fellopian tube is removed.beacuse it was a actopic pregnancy.now i have two daughter.i want really a boy.is it possible?
 
Name: Lisa Love
Country: Canada

i am 38 turning 39 in october...currently 10 weeks pregnant but worried because of my age. i really want this one! pray, pray, pray
 
Name: janette
Country: United Kingdom

had 3 babies with ex husband ages 12,18,25 now with new partner of 3 years and after two miscarriages am pregnant again at age of 43 hope this one stays this time,age is just a number if your healthy go for it.
 
Name: janette
Country: United Kingdom

had 3 babies with ex husband ages 12,18,25 now with new partner of 3 years and after two miscarriages am pregnant again at age of 43 hope this one stays this time,age is just a number if your healthy go for it.
 
Name: Lee
Country: U.S.A.

hello ladies, i am a 37 year old woman who has 2 highschooler's and i just met this wonderful man who wants to have another child, i am apprehensive due to my children being almost grown, i want to join our union but am scared of being a mom again, i solict your prayers for god to help me get ready for mother hood once again. 6 months pregnant, after trying over 6yrs to have a child,,,be blessed
 
Name: Lee
Country: U.S.A.

hello ladies, i am a 37 year old woman who has 2 highschooler's and i just met this wonderful man who wants to have another child, i am apprehensive due to my children being almost grown, i want to join our union but am scared of being a mom again, i solict your prayers for god to help me get ready for mother hood once again. 6 months pregnant, after trying over 6yrs to have a child,,,be blessed
 
Name: Sharon
Country: U.S.A.

i had my first baby at 38, i had just turned 38 two weeks before my healthy beautiful baby girl was born she is now 5 and i would love to have another baby but i am 43 now-i think that i can do this-i am in good health and i love children-just got a late start trying to wait for the man of my dreams to marry -doesnt always happen the way we plan it but children are a blessing from the lord and i believe that he will protect us as mothers whether we are married or not. i feel inspired -we only have one life to live-enjoy it and do some of the things that truly make you happy.
 
Name: marion
Country: Canada

i am 37 and on my 3rd child.i am scared of the articles i have read about having a baby with down's. according to the test my second child had 1in 244 chance of having down's. the doctor wanted me to abort him. i could never have forgiven myself because my son is perfectly health. i am always told that god would never give you anymore than one can handle. it does take a special person to handle a child with special needs, no matter what the special needs are. regardless children with special needs need to be loved just as much as a child without special needs.i am one of many expecting mother's out there who is worried about the risks. as i tell myself think positive. it all will work out in the end.
 
Name: JR
Country: U.S.A.

i ahve my first son at 34 and he was 5 weeks premature, but overall healthy. i had my next son at 36 and he was 3 weeks early but again, overall healthy. those of you in your 30's shouldn't have any problems as long as you are fairly healthy. i'd just say, stay away from all of the "scare" tests they want you to do. it can ruin a very exciting time in your life.
 
Name: Jewel
Country: U.S.A.

i am 38(soon to be 39) and my husband and i have been trying to conceive for probably 2years (not consistenly though, but we've never used contraception) i have to believe that if you take care of your body (both male and female) you can have a healthy baby at any age, so we're gonna keep trying until we're blessed with our baby. good luck to everyone who is trying!
 
Name: Nickie
Country: United Kingdom

i am 39 and have been married for 3 months to my 2nd husband who is 26, i am now 11 wks pregnant. i have 2 children from my previous marriage aged 14 & 11, i tried for 2 years to get pregnant with my 11 year old and took clomid tablets to help. i was on the contraceptive injection this time and got pregnant after one normal period. we both drank and i smoke but still it happened. i am so happy we are able to have a child together. i am going to have an amnio just to check but this site has really made me feel better.
 
Name: Chinwe Nwafor
Country: Nigeria

i am 41 now but last year, i had a miscarriage. what do i do to get pregnant fast. please advise.
 
Name: Bouchra
Country: U.S.A.

i am 37 years old,i have 2 beautiful girls,i am trying to get pregnant .
 
Name: anna
Country: India

am 35 and planning to have a kid at the end of thsi year. i get normal periods and have them every month. hope i will not have any problems concieving. pls suggest.
 
Name: kay kay
Country: Jamaica

i am 31 has four children get my tubes tied do you think tube reversal will allow me to have a child for my husband
 
Name: mee
Country: India

im 40 7weeks pregnant . i conceived unexpectedly but now i want this child but still not mentally prepared n confused . please pray for me.
 
Name: Lisa
Country: U.S.A.

i have an 11 year old son. single. still waiting for the right man. would love to have more children. i am 31 years old. what are my chances on conceving a baby in my 30's ? is being in your 30's a high risk? is it true your only have 33% chance when you are 35?
 
Name: CHANCES
Country: U.S.A.

having a baby between the ages 35-39 is considered high risk. but more and more women are choosing this option. with early prenatal care the chances of having a premature or sick child are very low.i say go for it if you are lucky enough to even get pregnant in the first place. however, if you are 40 and above you might want to really weigh your odds and be ready to deal with the outcome-- good or bad
 
Name: Ticking Clock
Country: U.S.A.

i lost a baby due to incompetant cervix at age 36. after 3 months of clomid and artificial insemination with my husband sperm i got pregnant and had to have a cerclage and delivered a healthy baby boy at age 38. now im 2 months pregnant at age 39. and this one is due to be born just before my 40th birthday. this child will be my last. to risky to have anymore at my age.
 
Name: rina
Country: India

i am 38 years old is it too lat to have a baby.


 

 
 
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