Prenatal Substance Abuse
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- Date Submitted: 06/07/2011 03:35 PM
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Prenatal Substance Abuse
The number of babies being born with drug addictions is becoming a wide spread epidemic. Every day, there is a baby born with a drug addiction. “The National Association for Prenatal Addiction Research and Education estimated 375,000 newborns per year face serious health hazards due to their mother’s prenatal drug use” (Pinkerton). Street drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and crack, can deprive developing babies of vital oxygen and nourishment; this can cause babies to be born with addictions and birth defects. It is also a preventable tragedy. If a pregnant woman is taking drugs and cannot stop, she should contact her local pregnancy resource center. The center can refer the woman to a place where she can get help for her and her baby. More recently, authorities have been attempting to prosecute drug-abusing mothers for harm done to their infants. The mother should not risk losing a baby, her life, or health to drug abuse. In order to approach this problem, the causes, effects, and possible remedies must be analyzed.
“About eleven percent of infants are exposed to alcohol or illicit drugs before delivery” (“Prenatal Substance Abuse”). A mother who uses drugs risks her life and her baby’s. When an expecting mother uses drugs, she and her unborn child face serious health problems. During pregnancy, the drugs used by the mother can enter the baby’s bloodstream. Maternal substance abuse may consist of any combination of drug, chemical, alcohol, or smoking use during the pregnancy. Along with nutrients, any toxins in the mother’s system may be delivered to the baby. These toxins often cause damage to the fragile, developing organs. Unfortunately, many women use drugs and alcohol for recreation before they know they are pregnant. Others continue to abuse drugs while pregnant as a result of addictions or mental problems that cannot be controlled. A mother’s continuing drug use puts her child at risk for neglect, physical abuse, and...
The number of babies being born with drug addictions is becoming a wide spread epidemic. Every day, there is a baby born with a drug addiction. “The National Association for Prenatal Addiction Research and Education estimated 375,000 newborns per year face serious health hazards due to their mother’s prenatal drug use” (Pinkerton). Street drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and crack, can deprive developing babies of vital oxygen and nourishment; this can cause babies to be born with addictions and birth defects. It is also a preventable tragedy. If a pregnant woman is taking drugs and cannot stop, she should contact her local pregnancy resource center. The center can refer the woman to a place where she can get help for her and her baby. More recently, authorities have been attempting to prosecute drug-abusing mothers for harm done to their infants. The mother should not risk losing a baby, her life, or health to drug abuse. In order to approach this problem, the causes, effects, and possible remedies must be analyzed.
“About eleven percent of infants are exposed to alcohol or illicit drugs before delivery” (“Prenatal Substance Abuse”). A mother who uses drugs risks her life and her baby’s. When an expecting mother uses drugs, she and her unborn child face serious health problems. During pregnancy, the drugs used by the mother can enter the baby’s bloodstream. Maternal substance abuse may consist of any combination of drug, chemical, alcohol, or smoking use during the pregnancy. Along with nutrients, any toxins in the mother’s system may be delivered to the baby. These toxins often cause damage to the fragile, developing organs. Unfortunately, many women use drugs and alcohol for recreation before they know they are pregnant. Others continue to abuse drugs while pregnant as a result of addictions or mental problems that cannot be controlled. A mother’s continuing drug use puts her child at risk for neglect, physical abuse, and...