How does alcohol and drugs affect pregnancy?

How does alcohol and drugs affect pregnancy?

How does alcohol and drugs affect pregnancy?

Drinking alcohol during your pregnancy puts your baby at risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is the leading known cause of developmental disabilities in children. Taking drugs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may also harm your baby.

Is bending down safe during pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and working, you may want to reduce or avoid: Repeatedly stooping, bending, or squatting. Lifting heavy objects from the floor or below mid-shin.

What is the rarest birth defect?

What are rare birth defects?

  • 22q11. 2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge Syndrome and Velocardiofacial syndrome)
  • Albinism, ocular.
  • Albinism, oculocutaneous.
  • Anencephaly (a neural tube defect)
  • Arnold-Chiari malformation (chiari malformation)
  • CHARGE syndrome.
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)

What harmful substances can pass from mother to baby?

Tobacco, alcohol and drugs can have harmful effects on anyone’s health. When a pregnant or nursing woman uses these substances, her baby also is exposed to them, for all substances cross the placenta through the umbilical cord and enter into the baby’s bloodstream.

How can I keep my unborn baby healthy?

How to have a healthy pregnancy

  1. A healthier body = A healthier baby. Take a prenatal or one-a-day vitamin with folate each day.
  2. Get regular exercise.
  3. Don’t drink alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers, and liquor.
  4. Don’t smoke.
  5. Don’t use “street” drugs.
  6. Stay out of hot tubs and saunas.

How can I sharpen my baby’s mind?

7 Ways to Help Your Child’s Brain Develop

  1. Stick out your tongue.
  2. Get on your belly.
  3. Ignite the senses.
  4. Go big — or little.
  5. Listen in.
  6. Sing together.
  7. Play peek-a-boo.
  8. The power of play.

What are the four causes of birth defects?

What causes birth defects?

  • Genetic problems. One or more genes might have a change or mutation that results in them not working properly, such as in Fragile X syndrome.
  • Chromosomal problems.
  • Infections.
  • Exposure to medications, chemicals, or other agents during pregnancy.

How do you prevent birth defects?

Commit to Healthy Choices to Help Prevent Birth Defects

  1. Plan ahead. Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B vitamin.
  2. Avoid harmful substances. Avoid alcohol at any time during pregnancy.
  3. Choose a healthy lifestyle. Keep diabetes under control.
  4. Talk with your healthcare provider. Talk to a healthcare provider about taking any medications.

At what stage of pregnancy do birth defects occur?

Birth defects can occur during any stage of pregnancy. Most birth defects occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy, when the organs of the baby are forming. This is a very important stage of development. However, some birth defects occur later in pregnancy.

Why should alcohol and smoking be avoided during pregnancy?

Prenatal exposure to smoking and alcohol increases the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Physiological changes associated with these exposures are not well studied. Full-term infants were tested within the first 3 days of life.

At what point of pregnancy is brain development noticed?

Your fetus will begin the process of developing a brain around week 5, but it isn’t until week 6 or 7 when the neural tube closes and the brain separates into three parts, that the real fun begins.

What are the chances of having a baby with abnormalities?

CDC estimates that birth defects occur in about 1 in every 33 infants born in the United States each year. Birth defects can occur during any pregnancy, but some factors increase the risk for birth defects.