Alcohol, Other Drugs and Pregnancy

Most drugs, including alcohol, pass from the bloodstream into the baby during pregnancy. Nobody knows exactly how much alcohol or other drugs it takes to harm a developing fetus. Consider the following if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby:

• Alcohol: We know that drinking alcohol when pregnant can hurt your developing baby. No safe limit of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been established. No alcohol is best - it's safest not to drink while pregnant.
• Over-the-Counter Drugs: Some of these drugs are safe, but some are harmful to your developing baby. Check with a doctor, pharmacist, or community health nurse before taking any over-the-counter drug while pregnant.
• Prescription Drugs: Many prescription drugs are not safe for pregnant women. If your doctor has prescribed you a drug, talk with him/her about the safety of taking it while pregnant.
• Street Drugs: Street drugs can be a mix of many drugs and harmful additives and all can be harmful to your developing baby. It's safest not to use street drugs at all when pregnant.
• Tobacco: Babies born to mothers who smoke tend to have lower birth weights and the incidence of stillbirths and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is higher.
• Alcohol, Other Drugs, Tobacco, and Breastfeeding: Small amounts of any drug you take, including alcohol, are in your breast milk. It's not a good idea to drink, smoke, or use other drugs when breastfeeding without checking with your health care provider first.

If you have been taking alcohol or other drugs when pregnant, don't panic. The possibility of a problem resulting from your alcohol or drug use varies with the substance used, when you took it during your pregnancy, and the amount consumed. Talk to your health care provider and get more information.

For more information, contact your local AADAC office, or call 1 (866) 33AADAC.