Chapter 4.3Avoiding Dangers to the Baby

An essential part of good prenatal care is avoiding hazards such as alcohol and other drugs, smoking, X-Rays, and hazardous chemicals

Doctors believe that drugs consumed during pregnancy are among the main causes of birth defects. ◦ Alcohol in any form◦ Prescription and over-the-counter medicines◦ Caffeine◦ Nicotine◦ Illegal Drugs◦ Inhalants

Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Pregnancy

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, she puts her baby at GREAT risk. ◦ Whatever the mother consumes

or inhales is passed directly to the baby.

Abstaining from alcohol use during pregnancy will prevent any negative effects on the baby.

Alcohol

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): is an incurable condition found in some children of mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy ◦ Includes a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. ◦ 1 in 5 do not live to see his or her first birthday. ◦ Those that do suffer from:

Delayed physical growth Heart defects Liver or kidney defects Hyperactivity Facial abnormality

◦ The extent of damage is often related to the amount of alcohol the mother consumed.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

An expectant mother should always check with her doctor every time she considers using ANY type of medication.

Extreme Example:◦ Thalidomide: prescribed in 1950s to help with morning

sickness More than 5000 babies born with SEVERE birth defects

Missing limbs

First 3 months of pregnancy are most critical◦ Baby’s body systems including brain are forming

4-9 months◦ Harmful substances slow growth, infections, and bleeding

Prescription Drugs and Over-the Counter Drugs

Caffeine passes easily from mother to her fetus through the placenta. ◦ Increased heart rate and movement ◦ Increased risk of miscarriage ◦ Premature Birth◦ Low Birth Weight (less than 5 lbs)

At risk for long term problems ◦ Higher risk of infant death

Caffeine

Smoking has been shown to cause:◦ Low Birth Weight◦ Premature Birth◦ Respiratory Infections◦ Allergies

Tobacco

Illegal drugs should never be used. ◦ Include drugs such as: cocaine, marijuana,

heroine, etc. A mother who is addicted to a drug passes

the addiction on to her baby. ◦ Life-long Process

Birth-go through drug withdrawal ◦ Learning difficulties and behavioral problems.

Cocaine has been proven to increase the risk of: miscarriages, still birth, premature birth

Illegal Drugs

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◦ Is the sudden death of a baby under one year of

age with no clear cause.

SIDS

Environmental Hazards are ALL around us. Two possible hazards to unborn babies are:

◦ X-Rays ◦ Chemicals (pesticides or mercury)

X-Rays◦ Radiation from x-rays can cause birth defects ◦ Always wear abdominal shields if x-ray is

necessary◦ Dental X-Rays are considered safe

Far from the uterus

Environmental Hazards

Substances include:◦ Paint◦ Pesticides◦ Lead◦ Carbon Monoxide◦ Mercury◦ Solvents (paint thinners)

If the pregnant woman works with some of these substances she should consult her doctor immediately.

Hazardous Substances and Chemicals

Occasionally, and expectant mother might get an infection. ◦ Some infections pose more of a risk that others◦ The timing of the infection may have an effect on

the level of risk to the fetus.

Rubella Toxoplasmosis Chicken Pox Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Disease and Infections

Also known as the German measles◦ Can cause serve birth defects

Especially in the first 3 months ◦ Blindness◦ Deafness◦ Heart Disease◦ Mental Retardation

Every woman should be sure to be vaccinated for rubella before becoming pregnant.

Rubella

Toxoplasmosis: is an infection caused by a parasite. ◦ Estimated 60 million people in the US carry

◦ Can Cause: Blindness Hearing Loss Learning Disabilities

◦ Some are so severe that the baby dies shortly after birth

Precautions◦ Never clean cat litter ◦ Never eat undercooked meat◦ Wash hands immediately after handling raw meat

Toxoplasmosis

Varicella is a viral infection that usually occurs in childhood.

If an expectant mother get the chicken pox during the first half of her pregnancy:◦ Her baby has a slight risk of getting a condition

called Congenital vericella syndrome Scarring of the skin Limb defects Eye problems Other serious abnormalities

Woman who have not had the chicken pox should get vaccinated before deciding to become pregnant.

Chicken Pox

STI’s may be passed to the child during the birth process. ◦ Syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, genital herpes,

AIDS, and Chlamydia

Many of these diseases can be passed from the pregnant woman to the unborn child the same way nutrients are absorbed. ◦ Doctors regularly test pregnant woman for STI’s

Sexually Transmitted Infections

The effects of syphilis on an unborn baby can usually be treated if the infection is discovered before the 16th week of pregnancy.

If left untreated◦ Skin rash◦ Lesions◦ Bone or facial abnormalities◦ Deafness◦ Brain damage

2 in 5 pregnancies with untreated syphilis end in:◦ Miscarriage◦ Stillbirth◦ Death

Syphilis

There is a 35 to 65 percent risk that the virus will be passed on to the baby. ◦ AIDS attacks the brain, and infected babies often

has seizures

Most states require AIDS tests early in pregnancy◦ Medicine to reduce the risk to the fetus ◦ C-Section Delivery

Less exposure

AIDS

Can cause the infant to be born with:◦ Brain infection◦ Mental retardation ◦ Some may die

Most cases the infection is transmitted to the newborn during the birth process. ◦ C-Section

Genital Herpes