What are the consequences of taking drugs during pregnancy?

Drugs or medication taken by the mother may cross the placenta and reach the developing fetus. The possible effects may include developmental delay, intellectual disability, birth defects miscarriage and stillbirth.

How do drugs cause birth defects?

However, drugs that do not cross the placenta may still harm the fetus by affecting the uterus or the placenta. Drugs that a pregnant woman takes during pregnancy can affect the fetus in several ways: They can act directly on the fetus, causing damage, abnormal development (leading to birth defects.

Which drug shows side effects like teratogenicity?

Drugs that are capable of acting as teratogens include:

• ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors such as:
• Acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Retin-A).
• Alcohol ingested chronically or in binges.
• Androgens (male hormones).
• Antibiotics tetracycline (Achromycin), and doxycycline (Vibramycin), and streptomycin.

What medications can you not touch when pregnant?

What medicines should you avoid during pregnancy?

• Bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol).
• Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, which are decongestants.
• Cough and cold medicines that contain guaifenesin.
• Pain medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen (such as Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (such as Aleve).

What drugs should pregnant nurses not handle?

Nurses should at the very least wear gloves while drawing up any medications or handling drugs, and at the most, should avoid handling known chemotherapeutic agents such as methotrexate. Nurses should also weigh the risks and benefits of continuing their particular field of nursing while pregnant.

How do drugs pass placenta?

Nutrient and drug transfer across the placenta are by passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, active transport, and pinocytosis. Placental drug transfer is dependent on the physical properties of the placental membrane and on the pharmacological properties of the drug.

What are the prohibited drugs during pregnancy?

Morphine – If the mother is given morphine during labor, fetal asphyxia can occur Anti-coagulants – May cause fatal bleeding in the newborn Radioactive iodine therapy – A cretin may be born due to radioactive iodine therapy Anti thyroid drugs – may produce goiter, which can lead to face presentation

Does drug and alcohol use affect a pregnancy?

Prenatal substance abuse happens when an expectant mother uses drugs and/or alcohol, significantly increasing the risk for developmental and neurological disabilities in the developing fetus. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

What drugs shouldn’t I take while pregnant?

Aspirin. This is one drug that pretty much everyone has in their medicine cabinets.

Is it OK to use marijuana during pregnancy?

There’s no evidence that using marijuana during pregnancy has any benefits, and experts agree that the risks of using pot during pregnancy far outweigh any potential upsides. Some women say that weed helps relieve pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, but there’s no research to confirm this.