6. DRUGS, PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

Most drugs can cross the placenta and therefore affect the unborn child. Use of some drugs during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, foetal distress, premature labour, foetal abnormalities, deformities in the baby, low birth weight, developmental delays or a range of other complications in the child.

There is no known safe level of psychoactive drug use during pregnancy, so it is recommended that pregnant women and women considering pregnancy avoid alcohol, tobacco and other non-prescribed drugs. Even small amounts of alcohol early in pregnancy has been associated with reduced birth weight of the baby.

Often a woman who has been using drugs does not realise she is pregnant until several months into the pregnancy. If a woman is using any drugs, including prescription medicines, she should discuss it with her doctor when she is considering pregnancy or as soon as she realises she is pregnant. If a woman is drug dependent during pregnancy her baby may experience withdrawal symptoms after birth. This may mean that the baby has to stay in hospital a bit longer than normal until the symptoms have settled down.

Withdrawal from drugs such as methadone or heroin may place your pregnancy at risk. You should seek advice from your doctor or drug and alcohol service if you are using heroin or methadone.