Effects of drugs on unborn child?

Question

Here's the situation: I'm 3 weeks 'late' and have been getting a few symptoms of early stages of pregnancy. I know the only way to find out for sure is to test, which I will be doing this Friday. I'd do it sooner but I promised my partner I'd wait for him.
Anyway...
Before the possibility of pregnancy arised (it's not been a planned thing), I had been smoking, drinking and even dabbled in a few other substances. I know the risks associated with that and I've not done anything since knowing that there's a chance that a child is involved so please don't lecture me on that one.
I also don't plan on carrying on with any of the previously mentioned if I am pregnant/after the possible pregnancy.

My question is... How can a baby be affected by the intake (although very small amounts) of cocaine/ketamine? I only took part on 1 or 2 occassions.

Yes, I'm seeing a doctor ASAP but I was just wondering if anyone knew the effects of drugs on unborn children?

Please, no lecturing!

Answer 1

When you go to see your doctor talk to him/her about it.

A friend of mine was shot and killed in Iraq and while out-of-state at his funeral I drank and smoked marijuana without knowing I was pregnant. I'm 28 weeks along now and my doctor told me not to worry about it because the stress would just make it worse. I was also a smoker until about 2 months in (when I found out I was pregnant.) Because it was so early (and not during crucial brain development stages) I was told the worse that could happen would be my daughter being underweight. (Which is only bad if she's under 5 lbs.)

I've also been seeing a specialist doctor because of my history of miscarriage (I've had five) and have ultrasounds done once a month, she's healthy so far and developing properly.

Cocaine/ketamine can effect your child's heart, brain, and nervous system development, but for more information talk to your doctor. You may not have anything to worry about (and no, he can't put you in jail or take away your baby because you tell him, patient privacy won't allow it because you're not DOING it now, you just did it in the past) but your doctor may want to more closely monitor your baby if you have a history of drug use.

Good luck and I hope your child comes out healthy and you stay that way!

Answer 2

Hi there,

Cocaine can actually cause a spontaneous abortion. Even if there are pregnancy hormones present in your urine when you eventually get the test done, there is a great chance that the pregnancy will fail and won't follow through to term. I don't now this from personal experience with this particular drug, but if you look up different illegal drugs on the net, it is the ONLY illegal substance that guarantees a miscarriage will occur after use. Nothing is said about marijuana, besides birth defects, and I'm not sure about speed etc. But Cocaine in particular is a sure deal on expectant mothers.

Answer 3

Yes, you need to be frank with the doctor. No - the doctor will not report your activity.

The doctor will do an ultrasound as well as an amnio to see if the baby is healthy.

Some side effects are low birth weight, learning disabilities, low immune system and the baby born addicted to drugs.

Good luck to you. I really hope it is just a scare or no problems exist.

Answer 4

that amount will not affect the baby but continued use is extremely harmful have you ever seen a baby suffering from withdrawals?? i have (not mine) in the neonatal unit when my niece was born preemie it was heart breaking they just cry and scream all the time they are constantly coming down then you have all the mental and physical affects. good on you for asking and getting all the advice you can and for stopping straight away if you r pregnant good luck stay healthy and enjoy your pregnancy if not think about taking folate and vitamins a month before you conceive it is much better to try and plan for a healthy baby if it is possible.

Answer 5

I'm sorry but I have to be frank. You did a very irresponsible thing by doing that **** in the first place. Now you want to act all worried, as if you are concerned about the health of the fetus. Stop kidding yourself cuz it's not working I guess I am the only person that see thru that ****. You did what you did now, you must suffer the consequences.

~Pryncess~

Answer 6

i was in the same situation i didnt know i was pregnant till i was over a month, im not proud of it but i was using cocaine on a regular basis until i knew there was a chance i was pregnant.
the best thing you can do is quit doing everything i did and my baby is perfectly healthy. also talk to your prenatal doctor about it if you are pregnant.

Answer 7

stop doing those things now, and just pray! Coke is very addictive and doing coke while pregnant can lead to having a baby that is addicted to coke when he or she is born, It can also effect their emotions. But when a friend of mind was pregnant she was in the same boat. the doctor told her that her baby should be okay because she stopped early in the pregnancy, before the babies organs and things started to develop, and had a healthy baby boy. But i encourage you to just pray about it, either for a healthy baby, or the strength to deal with the consequences of doing even small amounts of coke. and you will be ok!!!

Answer 8

i'm not a doctor but as far a what i've read it will cause addictions and affects some of the baby's development i hope not but anyway upon your test hope everything turns out okay and to your satisfactions. may all the good luck be with you!

Answer 9

it isn't good your child has a god chance of being a crack baby or having something phsicaly wrong or mentally go to the doctors and pray pray pray. i wish you luck cause you will need it

Answer 10

well i think that drugs wont do the baby any harm,,, i think smoke is terrible if ur pregant,,,, drink i dont see any harm in that either. but getting back 2 ur questions, like i said i dont c much wrong with drugs. and i think its great that ur guna stop.