2. Unborn fetus 2
Children are born with deficiencies that are from the actual behavior of their mothers.
Infants and newborn children are extremely delicate and that is why their mother should really
watch what they do during pregnancy. Illegal drugs and legal drugs are both dangerous things
that need to be restricted from use for the safety of a child. Drugs will cause defects such as
premature birth, death, and low birth weight. Different drugs have different effects and so a
mother should be educated enough to not take hard drugs. However, prescription drugs can have
equally threatening results and are easily overpassed by an unaware guardian.
To begin with, while the fetus is still in the mother. Drugs can have catastrophic effects.
Remember that whatever is being taken by the mother the baby will be receiving as well. So, for
a mother to be taking hard drugs would be awfully dangerous and irresponsible. An example of a
hard drug such as cocaine can result in miscarriage and stillbirth. Cocaine can cause low birth
weight, smaller head circumference, and being short in length. As well, it can lead to further
developmental problems in the brain, kidneys, and genitals that will cause great complications in
the child’s life.
Addiction:
A key factor in drugs such as cocaine may cause the baby to have an attachment to the drug
once it’s been born and the baby will have withdrawal problems. These withdrawals from the
addiction will cause the baby to be highly irritated and will have a high temperament which will
make the raising and bonding process problematic. Along with some of those problems will be
physical defections and are directly associated to the previous cocaine abuse. Physical symptoms
later in the child’s life are problems sleeping, muscle spasms, and complications with feeding.
3. Unborn fetus 3
Another harmful substance to a child is the use of marijuana or weed. Marijuana is a
more considerably acceptable drug in society but is dangerous to a child just the same. Marijuana
is also frequently used alongside tobacco and alcohol which should not be consumed during
pregnancy. Marijuana has similar negative effects like cocaine like premature birth, miscarriage,
and low birth weight. Also, marijuana has been associated with causing developmental delay and
behavioral and learning difficulties. Marijuana use while the child has not yet been conceived
will have harmful toxins that can restrict the baby from getting proper air supply that ultimately
lead to the child not growing. Alcohol that is used alongside marijuana in most cases can cause
different problems such as FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), cognitive deficits, heart damage, and
development delays. For instance, children can be born with noticeable physical deficits, shown
by and explained by the Embryo Project. (see fig. 1). Now imagine if these two drugs were
combined and the amount of negative effect it would have on a harmless infant that has the
whole world ahead of him or her.
Figure 1.
D'Alessandro, Donna. "Virtual Pediatric Hospital:CQQA:Fetal Alcohol Syndrome." Virtual Pediatric Hospital:CQQA: Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome. 1 Aug. 2004. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.virtualpediatrichospital.org/patients/cqqa/fetalacoholsyndrome.shtml>.
4. Unborn fetus 4
Personal Story:
I actually heard once of a terrible situation in which is relatable. A couple years back, I heard a
story about a mother named Joselyn who was a very regular marijuana smoker and recreational
alcohol user. Unfortunately for Joselyn she was very irresponsible and in a difficult time in her
life when she was very reckless and not conscious of her future consequences. In the late stages
of her pregnancy Joselyn attempted to quit and had been successful to do so. When it came to the
day of the pregnancy it went well and the child was conceived. However, the newborn child was
very small and looked very weak so the doctors examined it. It had turned out that the child had
been exposed to things like cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana which they predicted to have
destructive side effects on the child later in its life. A couple years after the child had grown up
the child had developed very heavy learning problems and defects that had to be treated. Joselyn
felt very regretful of her actions when she was younger. To sum up, the effects she had on her
child were drastic and should be learned from and prevented.
Another overpassed type of negative reacting drug that needs to be viewed is prescription
drugs. Drugs that are over the counter such as pain relievers and fever reducers are casually
bought for sickness and are harmful for a child. Do not be fooled by the fact that it is just a pill
and easy to get because it is still a DRUG. A drug such as aspirin can cause deficits in
intelligence, attention, and motor skills. Another casually taken risk is caffeine that is similar to a
drug. Caffeine can be taken at a moderate use per month and will be safe for the child. If used
too many times it could result in your child having low birth weight, and decreased muscle tone.
5. Unborn fetus 5
Overall, a pregnant lady should be aware of the things that she is consuming for the
safety of her child. Drugs can cause prenatal and afterbirth negative effects that will continue to
be with that child for life. Hard drugs are the worst and should be most avoided for death and
addiction can be passed on to a child. Lower class drugs such as prescriptions should be watched
and recommended by a doctor if you are pregnant. A healthy mother will result in a healthy
child.
6. Unborn fetus 6
Bibliography:
Alcohol Use in Pregnancy. (2014, April 17). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-use.html
Using Illegal Drugs During Pregnancy - American Pregnancy Asociation. (2012, April
26). Retrieved March 5, 2015, from http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-
health/illegal-drugs-during-pregnancy/
Streissguth, Ann P. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities.
Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub, 1997. Print.
Drinking and Your Pregnancy. Bethesda, Md: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services,
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2009.
Internet resource.
D'Alessandro, Donna. "Virtual Pediatric Hospital: CQQA: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome."
Virtual Pediatric Hospital: CQQA: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. 1 Aug. 2004. Web. 15 Mar.
2015.
<http://www.virtualpediatrichospital.org/patients/cqqa/fetalacoholsyndrome.shtml>.
