Smoking, drugs and alcohol
Cigarette smoke, alcohol and other drugs are known to have harmful effects on babies during pregnancy and after birth. Drugs and alcohol consumed during pregnancy reach the baby by crossing the placenta, exposing your baby to harmful chemicals, affecting growth and development and increasing the risk of birth defects, physical and intellectual disability, preterm birth and miscarriage.
If you smoke and/or are a regularly user of drugs and alcohol and are trying for a baby or find yourself pregnant, there are steps you can take to improve the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and improve the health outcomes for your baby;
- Get help – seek medical advice before you become pregnant or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby
- Understand the drugs you are taking and be honest with your care providers about your use
- Attend regular appointments with your doctor, midwife, obstetrician to ensure your baby is growing
- Abide by the recommendation that you do not drink alcohol at all during your pregnancy – there is no “safe” amount of alcohol when you’re pregnant.
- Discuss with your care providers before taking any medication including vitamins – prescription and over the counter medications and supplements can affect your growing baby.
For more information;
Pregnancy Birth & Baby – Alcohol, drugs and medicine during pregnancy
The Royal Women’s Hospital – Pregnancy, drugs and alcohol
Better Health Channel – Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
The Conversation – How taking drugs while pregnant harms your unborn baby
Quit.org – Smoking and pregnancy
Services in the ACT;
ACT Health – Help to Quit
ACT Health – Alcohol and Drug Services
Source: (The Royal Women’s Hospital) (Pregnancy Birth & Baby)
