1. Human Development: Prenatal-Toddler Avoiding Dangers to the Baby

2. Alcohol and Pregnancy Alcohol is a drug, an especially dangerous one for unborn children. Fetal Alcohol Sydrome (FAS): is an incurable condition found in some children of mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy. 1 in 5 babies born with FAS does not live to see his or her first birthday. Fetal Alcohol Affects: to a lesser degree, the child suffers from many of the same ailments as with FAS.

3. Other Drugs Medicines, prescription and over-the-counter. Caffeine, found in some foods and beverages. Nicotine and other toxic chemicals found in cigarettes. Illegal drugs such as heroin, LSD, ecstasy. Inhalants – fumes that are inhaled into the lungs.

4. Prescription Drugs and Over-the- Counter Drugs The first three months of pregnancy are the most critical because the baby’s body systems, including the brain, are being formed. The chemicals found in some medications can cause severe harm, including mental retardation.

5. Caffine Caffeine is found in beverages many people consume several times a day, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, and most soft drinks. Low birth weight: is a weight of less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth.

6. Tobacco Many studies have proven that nicotine found in tobacco is harmful to the health of any person. It is exceptionally harmful to a baby’s development before birth.

7. Illegal Drugs Can have devastating effects for an unborn baby. A mother who is addicted to a drug usually passes the addiction on to her baby. SIDS: is the sudden death of a baby under one year of age with no clear cause.

8. X Rays Radiation from X rays, or from other sources, can cause birth defects. Mother should inform medical staff that she is pregnant, if an X-ray is needed.

9. Hazardous Substances and Chemicals Paint Pesticides Lead Carbon Monoxide Mercury Solvents, paint thinners, and formaldehyde

10. Rubella The German Measles The infection can cause severe birth defects, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. These can include blindness, deafness, heart disease, and mental retardation.

11. Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis: is an infection caused by a parasite. This parasite is found all over the world, so the infection is quite common.

12. Chicken Pox Varicella, more commonly known as chicken pox, is a viaral infection that commonly occurs in childhood. Some women who have not had chicken pox will get the infection during pregnancy. Depending on when the infection occurs, there can be serious consequences to the fetus. Women who have not had chicken pox should get the vaccine before getting pregnant and/or should avoid people with chicken pox.

13. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Can do a great deal of harm to unborn babies, and in some instances may be passed to the child during the birth process.

14. AIDS There can be serious consequences for her unborn baby. There is a 35 to 65 percent chance risk that the virus will be passed on to the baby.