Pregnancy & Substance Use: The Threat Lurking Behind Every Sip and Puff
The hidden dangers of substance use during pregnancy can lead to severe fetal development issues, experts reveal.
In a world filled with substances often deemed harmless, the unsettling truth about their impacts during pregnancy emerges as a concern shrouded in misunderstanding. Dr. Aliana Abascal of WVU School of Medicine, an adept in Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, raises a formidable warning.
A Misunderstood Threat
“Many substances can harm a fetus,” Dr. Abascal asserts, casting light on substances like marijuana, often wrongfully perceived as innocuous. A significant call to action surfaces as nicotine, including its vaping form, along with alcohol, methamphetamines, and heroin, comes under scrutiny for impeding fetal progress.
The Alarming Statistics and Overlooked Risks
As stated in UPI.com, key statistics unravel from the CDC: nearly 14% of U.S. women report alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and about 8% admit to using illicit substances. Alarmingly, tobacco usage hits approximately 25% in West Virginia, a figure not to be ignored. Worse still, recent studies reveal that overdose deaths among pregnant women have tripled, painting a dire picture of substance-induced risks, including miscarriage or fetal death and neurobehavioral concerns.
Divergent yet Overlapping Hazards
Dr. Abascal meticulously describes substance-specific dangers, noting that while nicotine and cocaine elevate miscarriage risks, alcohol poses a threat of fetal alcohol syndrome, impacting the central nervous system. The sorrowful reality remains: babies exposed to such substances may enter life grappling with withdrawal symptoms.
Support and Solutions for the Vulnerable
Pregnancy intertwined with substance use necessitates comprehensive intervention strategies. Pediatric care, combined with mental health services, becomes indispensable. Yet, Dr. Abascal stresses the quitting conundrum — a challenge heightened by coexisting mental health conditions like PTSD, prevalent in 50% of substance use treatment seekers. The pursuit of safer alternatives, such as nicotine replacement therapies, becomes a crucial yet imperfect solution.
In conclusion, the call for awareness, education, and deliberate actions in mitigating these risks emerges as a clarion challenge for expectant mothers to protect their unborn children and envision a healthier future.
