Drug use during pregnancy should be reduced to a minimum, if not stopped completely. The rapidly developing tissues of the embryo and foetus are particularly sensitive to the effects of ALL drugs. The placenta is not a barrier to the passage of most drugs, so it should be assumed that drugs taken during pregnancy will reach the foetus in at least small amounts.

The risks associated with non-medical drug use during pregnancy include:

* Low birth weight, which may affect how able a baby is to stay healthy

* Developmental delay

* Increased incidence of miscarriage

* Higher incidence of congenital abnormalities, such as cleft palate, microcephalus and club foot.

* Higher incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden stopping of tranquillisers, barbiturates, heroin or methadone can be very dangerous to yourself and your baby, so withdraw slowly. Speak to a doctor or drug counsellor for advice. It's safe to stop using ecstasy, speed, LSD, solvents or cannabis immediately.

Ecstasy and Pregnancy: Many women's' menstrual cycles are affected by taking ecstasy. Periods may become quite irregular, but this does not mean that the women are infertile. Ecstasy does not stop ovulation and cannot be used as a contraceptive.

Health risks of taking ecstasy during pregnancy include:

* Increased risk of miscarriage

* A higher risk of congenital abnormalities, such as a cleft palate

* Rupturing of the placenta

* Premature labour

* Foetal distress

* Low birth weight and growth-retarded babies, which may affect how able a baby is to stay healthy

* Excessive sleep

* Decreased interactive behaviour

* Poor feeding

Although the risk of miscarriage is high when taking ecstasy during pregnancy, there is also a high risk of the foetus developing to full term, but experiencing birth complications.

In desperate cases, women have been known to take excessive amounts of drugs to induce a miscarriage. This is not only harmful to the woman, but also to the developing foetus, which may survive, and be badly affected. There has been reports of severe permanent damage to the women, such as burst fallopian tubes, which results in one not being able to have any more children.

It is far safer to visit a clinic or hospital to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Most major hospitals and clinics can now perform a legal and confidential service in this regard. Lifeline can help with advice and counselling.

See here for information on research done into Ecstacy and malformed babies

 

Lifeline 24-hour counselling South Africa 011 728-1347

 

Disclaimer This Guide is provided for informational purposes ONLY. RaveSafe, it's volunteers and its sponsors do not condone or advocate the use of illegal substances. RaveSafe accepts NO responsibility for the way the information in this used, nor for any harm that might occur from the use of the information contained in this document. Although a concerted effort has been made to ensure the validity of the information contained in this document, no guarantees or assurances of accuracy are provided by anyone. Read and act at your own risk.