4.3 Avoiding Dangers to the Baby
Hazards During Pregnancy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alcohol
Drugs (heroin, LSD, ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine, etc.)
Smoking (contain nicotine and other toxic chemicals)
X-Rays
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
Caffeine (found in chocolate and many beverages)
Hazardous Chemicals
Disease/Infections
Inhalants (fumes inhaled into the lungs)
Alcohol
• Alcohol is a drug!
• Passed directly to the baby through the
placenta
• Small amounts can harm the baby
• There is no safe amount of alcohol to
consume while pregnant!
Alcohol During Pregnancy
• The extent of damage is directly related to the
amount of alcohol drank during pregnancy!
• Binge drinking (drinking a large amount of
alcohol in a small period of time) during the
first stages of pregnancy tend to have the
most affect on the infant.
• The combination of alcohol and drugs
increases the risk of the child.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• An incurable condition found in some children
of mothers who consumed alcohol while
pregnant.
• 1 in 5 children born with FAS does not live to
see their first birthday.
• Children who live with FAS can have delayed
physical growth, hear, liver or kidney defects,
hyperactivity, and facial deformities (a defect
in structure).
FAS II
• Children may be mentally handicapped
• Have difficulties with learning, attention,
memory, or problem solving.
• It is hard for some children to control their
impulses and many have poor coordination.
• Brain tissue is injured by alcohol.
Fetal Alcohol
Effects
• Abnormalities caused by alcohol during
prenatal development.
• To a lesser degree than Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome.
Prescription + Over-the-Counter Drugs
• ANY type of medication should be cleared
through the doctor first.
–
–
–
–
Prescription Drugs
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Herbal Supplements
Vitamins
• First three months are when the baby is
most susceptible to harm because ALL of
the major body systems are starting to
develop.
• During the fourth through ninth month,
harmful substances cause slow growth,
infections, or bleeding at birth.
• MEDICINES NOT ABSOLUTLEY NECESSARY
SHOULD BE AVOIDED!
Thalidomide
• Prescription medication prescribed to women
during the 1950’s to prevent morning sickness.
• Over 5,000 babies born with severe birth
defects.
Caffeine
• In coffee, tea, cocoa, over-thecounter medications and many
soft drinks.
• Passes easily from the mother
to baby via the placenta.
• Causes a high fetal heart rate
and excessive movement
• Small amounts (2 servings of
beverages/foods with caffeine
each day) seem to have little
effect on the fetus.
• High amounts increase the
risk of miscarriage,
premature birth, and low
birth weight.
• Higher risk of infant death.
• Higher chance of
delivering a low-birth
weight baby.
• Draws fluid and calcium
out of the body +
Interferes with the
absorption of iron.
– Both vital for the
development of the fetus
• Caffeine and sugar can
increase mood swings and
prevent restful sleep.
Caffeine II
Tobacco
• Contains nicotine and other toxic chemicals
• Harmful to ANY person, especially a pregnant
woman and unborn child.
• Causes premature birth and low birth weight.
• Leads to respiratory infections and allergies in
children after birth.
• SECONDHAND SMOKE HAS SIMILAR EFFECTS!
Illegal Drugs
• Harmful to ANYONE, especially pregnant women
and their unborn child.
• Includes cocaine, marijuana, LSD, and heroin.
• Addictions are passed from mother to baby.
• Infants are forced to go through a painful
withdrawal after birth because they are no longer
receiving the substance.
• These infants tend to have learning and
behavioral difficulties.
• Methamphetamine and marijuana are linked to
preterm birth.
Cocaine
• Increases risk of miscarriage during early
stages of pregnancy.
• Could cause a stroke in an unborn child
resulting in brain damage, a heart attack, birth
defects, or death.
• Also causes low birth weight and infants to
have small heads
• Linked to preterm (premature) birth.
• Increases risk for SIDS
SIDS
• Sudden infant death syndrome
• A sudden, unexpected death of a baby under
one year of age with no clear cause
• Linked to drug and alcohol use
• Other causes unknown
Environmental Hazards
• Are all around us!
• Includes X-Rays and hazardous
substances/chemicals
X-Rays
• Radiation can cause birth
defects
• If absolutely necessary,
pregnant women must wear
special shields to protect the
uterus and unborn child
• The pregnant woman ALWAYS
needs to tell a health
professional she is pregnant.
Hazardous Substances and Chemicals
•
•
•
•
•
Paint
Pesticides
Lead – in water and paint
Carbon monoxide
Mercury – in some fish such as swordfish and
shark
• Solvents – Paint thinners and formaldehyde
• She should avoid these chemicals (inhaling them,
ingesting them, etc.)
Diseases and Infections
• A mother’s infection cause problems for the
baby!
• Infections need to be treated promptly and
properly to minimize risk to the fetus.
Rubella
• Also known as the German Measles
• Can cause severe birth defects during the first
three months of pregnancy
• Can cause blindness, deafness, heart disease,
and mental retardation
• There is a vaccine available, but can be
dangerous to pregnancy
Toxoplasmosis
• A common infection caused by a parasite
• Many people carry this parasite but show no
effects
• However, if unborn babies are exposed it can
cause blindness, hearing loss, and learning
disabilities
• Baby can die shortly after birth
• Can cause miscarriage or stillbirth
• TO AVOID: Pregnant women should never clean a
cat’s litter box, eat undercooked meat, and wash
hands after touching raw meat
Chicken Pox
• Also known as varicella
• If not contracted during
childhood, pregnant women
may develop chicken pox
• Infants may contract congenital
varicella syndrome
– Congenital: Present at birth
• Can cause scarring of the skin,
limb defects, eye problems, and
other serious abnormalities
• TO AVOID: Get the chicken pox
vaccine, and avoid contact with
people who have chicken pox
Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Can cause harm to the unborn baby
• Examples: Skin rash, bone or facial
deformities, deafness, brain damage, brain
infections