Question

Go through each of the psychoactive drugs listed below and talk about the impact of the use of each drug (you must discuss all of these for full credit) on prenatal development. How would using these drugs throughout pregnancy impact the child? Please provide at least 3 references - one can be the textbook. Use proper APA citations. Opiates, Alcohol, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Nicotine, Caffeine, Psychedelics, Marijuana ( please give in debth response)

Answer 1

Various drug consumed by the mother on her pregnancy can affect the foetus in different ways.

Alcohol: A women who drink alcohol when she is pregnant can harm the foetus. Alcohol can pass from mother’s blood to the baby’s blood. It can cause distinctive facial features and other growth problems. Learning and behaviour problems are also seen. Heavy alcohol sometimes lead to miscarriage or still birth.

Cocaine: cocaine use during pregnancy is associated with maternal migraines and seizures, premature membrane repture and separation of placental lining before delivery by mother. Spontaneous miscarriage, preterm labour is also associated with cocaine use. The bon baby have low weight, smaller head circumference etc.

Methamphetamine: Use of this drug may cause effect like low weight baby, small size for gestational age, and an increased risk for neurodevopmental problems. Retinal defects, malformation of ribs and slowed physical growth are other harmful effects that this drug may contribute.

Nicotine: Studies from the animal experiments shows that foetus may have postnatal behavioural and cognitive deficits. Neurodevolopmental functions and neural development can also impaired. Prenatal nicotine exposure in humans is limited.

Reference; Alcohol effect on foetus. Health link BC British Columbia.

what are the effects of maternal cocaine use. National institute of drug abuse. Advanced addition science.

Meth and pregnancy. Drug abuse.com. An American addiction centre resource.