Do's and Don'ts

Smoking, Drinking, and Substance Abuse

Smoking
This is associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and hypertension. Carbon monoxide from cigarettes crosses the placenta, and is rapidly bound to fetal hemoglobin. Fetal hemoglobin has significantly greater attraction to carbon monoxide than adult hemoglobin, and it prefers to bind to carbon monoxide over oxygen. The result is a decreased amount of hemoglobin available to carry oxygen to your developing baby.

It is also well known that babies born to smokers have an increased chance of growing up with asthma, respiratory conditions, and bronchitis. While there are medications to help you quit smoking (Zyban, Wellbutrin), every drug has certain risks. If you are having a hard time quitting cigarettes, talk to your physician about your options. Decreasing smoking is better than not trying at all, but challenge yourself to stop completely, not only for your baby’s health but also for yours – motherhood is a lifelong experience.

While any drug you are taking should be discussed with your doctor, recreational drugs or drugs used “socially” as opposed to medically, are particularly concerning. If you are struggling with addiction, now is the time to empower yourself. Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. There are many effective treatment programs. Be the woman who triumphs over addiction; seek healing!

Drug abuse and addiction
This may contribute to premature birth, an underweight infant, increased need for resuscitation at birth, and tremors and addiction in your newborn. Cocaine-addicted newborns can be extremely sensitive to light, noise, and other types of stimulation, and can often be irritable and difficult to calm. Babies have a difficult time going through withdrawal symptoms, just as adults do, so remember that when you use, your baby uses as well. Even occasional recreational drug use, particularly cocaine, can be disastrous for your baby. Be sure that you are honest with your clinician, as he/she will be able to support you and care more effectively for you and your baby. Get confidential (and often free) help by talking to your doctor, asking a social worker at your hospital for a referral, or by calling a help-line such as The National Cocaine Hotline: (800) COCAINE or (800) 262-2463.

Alcohol
For those of you accustomed to sipping a glass of wine in the evening or on weekends, now is the time to put that on hold. This may not be in the category of “excessive” drinking, but it is a regular exposure to alcohol for your baby – and that should always be avoided.