1. What Can adversely affect a pregnancy? Things that can harm the baby

2. Over-the-counter drugs can be taratogenic (cause fetal harm) antihistamines and cold preparations – laxatives – certain pain medications (analgesics) certain antibiotics – A pregnant woman should never take a medication that has not already been authorized by her doctor.

3. Smoking Blood supply to the fetus is limited causing low birth weight in infants and children that stay below normal weight; possible learning difficulties and mental deficiencies in the child.

4. Alcohol Consumption of alcohol in pregnancy has caused a high incidence of congenital deformities and mental retardation. Fetal alcohol syndrome: Infant is small for gestational age, mentally retarded, and has a characteristic craniofacial deformity. A safe level of alcohol use has not been determined so it is best to abstain from alcohol use completely.

5. Recreational Drug use Narcotics such as Demerol and Heroin have long been associated with causing harm to the developing fetus. Cocaine and crack are particularly harmful to the fetus because it causes vasoconstriction (blood vessels getting narrower – constricting). This slows the blood supply to the placenta (that nourishes the baby) or cuts off the nutrient supply. It can cause spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), pre-term labor, growth retardation, limb deformities (arms and legs), mental and emotional problems, learning disorders and attention deficit disorders.

6. Diseases that can harm the fetus Maternal infections such as toxoplasmosis,(from eating undercooked meat or from contact with cat stool in cat litter or the soil) HIV/AIDs, syphilis, hepatitis and chicken pox can be teratogenic to the fetus. Rubella causes deafness, mental and motor retardation, cataracts, cardiac defects, slow growth, and dental and facial clefts. Herpes causes severe abnormalities, miscarriage, premature birth, and even death to the fetus. Other diseases of the mother also can harm the fetus