Taking drugs and certain medications during pregnancy can cause serious harm to the unborn baby as well as the mother. Read on to learn more about the effect of drugs on mother and baby.Development of your foetus can be seriously affected when you are dependent on some kinds of drugs in pregnancy. It is always better to avoid medications of any sorts while you are pregnant. In the US it has been estimated around 1 in every 33 babies are born with defects of some kinds. Most of the birth defects are linked with negligence on part of the mother.
Harmful chemicals taken during pregnancy phase can pass through the placenta and affect the unborn child in a negative way. Chances of complications arise with taking of illegal drugs at this time. Cases like
miscarriage and stillbirth has become common as a result of the medications during pregnancy.
The more extensively drugs are used, the more shall they have effect on the unborn child. The time when drugs have been consumed determines severity of effect on the baby. Consumption of alcohol and drugs are known to have severe detrimental effects on the baby. Taking drugs in the 8th month of pregnancy is known to be linked with prematurity, slow growth, poor birth weight and other neurological disease.
How will these drugs affect me?
Besides offering a considerable amount of pain relief, some drugs can detract from the overall birthing experience. Narcotics, sedatives, gas and oxygen are known to make one feel drowsy, lightheaded and even give birth without realising it. Some women enjoy the drifting sensation, whereas others feel a distinct lack of control. Pethidine can create confusion, disorientation and dizziness and in extremely sensitive women, even hallucinations, nausea and vomiting.
But if your pain is unbearable and you are extremely anxious, the excessive tension could affect the uterus and further slow down labour, therefore adversely affecting your baby. So it is sometimes better to resort to a certain method of pain relief. An epidural is known to be quite safe.
How will these drugs affect my baby?
An epidural anaesthesia will not enter your baby's blood stream, so your baby will be alert and breathe well straight after delivery. Most of the other drugs cross your placenta and enter your baby's bloodstream in a higher concentration than your own. Sedatives and tranquilizers will sedate your baby and affect its ability to suckle and respond to you immediately after birth. Narcotics are known to depress its respiration and suckling ability. Especially pethidine tends to remain longer in your baby's bloodstream, if taken late in labour. So, all things considered, an epidural is the best.
What are the effects of antibiotics on pregnancy?
Use of prescription antibiotics for long can cause significant damage to the baby developing inside. Some of the safest antibiotics taken now are erythromcyin, cephalosporins and penicillin. However, doctors suggest you must rely on your daily multivitamins. Accutane is known to be harmful in pregnancy and increases the risk of birth defects. Nitrofurantoin given to treat infections in the urinary track is known to cause jaundice in the baby.
Tetracycline is said to result in bone deformations and discoloured teeth. Vancomycin, Neomycin, Gentamycin, Streptomycin suggested to help fight against bacterial infections, may result in foetal deformations and deafness. However, this does not mean you should not take medicines even when prescribed by your obstetrician. It is always better to rely on your doctor for the right dose of medicine for the right duration.
What are the effects of steroids on pregnancy?
Progestin is a synthetic hormone that makes the foetus more masculinised. Corticosteroids are known to be associated with cleft palate, stillbirth, and low birth weight and so on. Too much of Vitamin K, A, B6, and A are also known to be associated with cleft palate and foetal defects. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is seen to increase chances of vaginal cancer when taken during pregnancy. When taken for long time it is also known to give rise to conditions such as low weight gain in babies.
What are the effects of other drugs on pregnancy?
Habits such as
smoking also increase complications in pregnancy. Chances of low birth weight, still birth and stunted growth are common in women who indulge in smoking during pregnancy.
Antihistamines too can result in blood complications. Women using marijuana in pregnancy are reported to give birth to babies with tremors or visual problems. Also children from these mothers are known to be born with poor IQ and are poor performers in school too.
Medications prescribed to take care of anxiety and depression can result in heart related ailments in foetus. The risk of damages is especially high 42 days after conception.
Since you would want nothing but the very best for your child in
pregnancy, it is better to avoid medications of any type altogether. The good news is, you can resume back your normal life and discuss about the possible medications you think you need once your baby is out in the world. However, medications must not be neglected when given under extreme situations by your obstetrician.
Why is it not safe to take medications during pregnancy? What to do if the medications cannot be prevented during pregnancy? What are the effects of drugs and medicines on the foetus? Discuss here. 
