Compared to thirty years ago more women of childbearing age in Anguilla are using illegal drugs. As a result more babies are now being born to women who use illegal drugs during their pregnancies. The use of illegal drugs by pregnant women can be harmful for the mother and also her baby.

Drug use and pregnancy
Most women who are pregnant are advised not to use any drug unless they consult with their doctor. These include any medication, including over the counter medications, and herbal products. Most medications can affect both the pregnant women and her fetus. Alcohol and tobacco should also not be used during pregnancy. Pregnant women with medical disorders such as hypertension or diabetes should be under the care of an experienced obstetrician and in most cases the safest and lowest dose of the medication should be used. A number of prescriptions drugs should also be avoided during pregnancy.
Consumption of illegal drugs during pregnancy is not safe for the unborn baby or for the mother. Various studies have shown that consumption of illegal drugs during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, small babies at birth, early onset of labour (premature labour) fetal death and even maternal death.

What are some of the illegal drugs used by pregnant women?
Pregnant women use a variety of illegal drugs. Some of the common ones are marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, glues and solvents and amphetamines. In Anguilla the most common illegal drug used by pregnant women is thought to be marijuana.

Marijuana
Marijuana, also called grass or pot, can be smoked or eaten. In either case when a pregnant woman consumes it, it crosses the placenta to the developing baby. Marijuana, like cigarette smoke, contains toxins that keep the developing baby from getting the proper supply of oxygen that is required for optimum growth. Smoking marijuana also increases the level of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the blood which reduces the oxygen supply to the baby. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, low-birth-weight (small baby), premature births, developmental delays and behavioural and learning problems later on in life.

Cocaine
Cocaine, sometimes known as “crack,” is a highly addictive drug. It can be used by injection with a needle, through the nose (snorting) or by smoking. When a pregnant women uses cocaine it may cause the placenta to detach from the uterus too soon (placental abruption). This can cause serious problems such as severe bleeding, fetal death and death of the pregnant woman. Pregnant women who use cocaine have an increased risk of having a preterm birth. Babies born to women who use cocaine are found to grow very slowly, are more irritable or fussy and also have problems learning when they grow older. The use of cocaine by the pregnant woman also causes the woman to be at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure and also having a sudden death from a stroke or heart attack.

Glues and solvents
Some young pregnant women also known to inhale glues and solvents which can have serious effects. The use of these substances can cause light-headedness, dizziness and even sudden death. They may also damage the liver, kidneys and the brain. The use of these solvents during pregnancy can also result in the baby having birth defects.

Getting help
If you are pregnant and using illegal drugs you should stop immediately. If you find that you cannot stop, or if you are addictive to one or more illegal drugs, you should seek professional help immediately. You can get help from counselling and treatment programmes. You can either contact your doctor, nurse, health educator or counsellor for advice and assistance.

Conclusion
There are many ill effects when one uses illegal drugs but for the pregnant women it is even more important not to use illegal drugs as these drugs can affect both the mother and developing baby. The short and long term effects of the use of illegal drugs on the fetus have been widely documented. All pregnant mothers are encouraged to adopt healthy living lifestyles when they are pregnant so as to give optimal health to their unborn child and also to improve their health as well.

Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.

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