1. Avoiding Dangers to the Baby
Chapter 4.3
Avoiding Dangers to the Baby

2. Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on Pregnancy
An essential part of good prenatal care is avoiding hazards such as alcohol and other drugs, smoking, X-Rays, and hazardous chemicals
Doctors believe that drugs consumed during pregnancy are among the main causes of birth defects.
Alcohol in any form
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
Caffeine
Nicotine
Illegal Drugs
Inhalants

3. Alcohol
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, she puts her baby at GREAT risk.
Whatever the mother consumes or inhales is passed directly to the baby.
Abstaining from alcohol use during pregnancy will prevent any negative effects on the baby.

4. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): is an incurable condition found in some children of mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy
Includes a wide range of physical and mental disabilities.
1 in 5 do not live to see his or her first birthday.
Those that do suffer from:
Delayed physical growth
Heart defects
Liver or kidney defects
Hyperactivity
Facial abnormality
The extent of damage is often related to the amount of alcohol the mother consumed.

6. Prescription Drugs and Over-the Counter Drugs
An expectant mother should always check with her doctor every time she considers using ANY type of medication.
Extreme Example:
Thalidomide: prescribed in 1950s to help with morning sickness
More than 5000 babies born with SEVERE birth defects
Missing limbs
First 3 months of pregnancy are most critical
Baby’s body systems including brain are forming
4-9 months
Harmful substances slow growth, infections, and bleeding

7. Caffeine
Caffeine passes easily from mother to her fetus through the placenta.
Increased heart rate and movement
Increased risk of miscarriage
Premature Birth
Low Birth Weight (less than 5 lbs)
At risk for long term problems
Higher risk of infant death

8. Tobacco Smoking has been shown to cause: Low Birth Weight
Premature Birth
Respiratory Infections
Allergies

9. Illegal Drugs Illegal drugs should never be used.
Include drugs such as: cocaine, marijuana, heroine, etc.
A mother who is addicted to a drug passes the addiction on to her baby.
Life-long Process
Birth-go through drug withdrawal
Learning difficulties and behavioral problems.
Cocaine has been proven to increase the risk of: miscarriages, still birth, premature birth

10. SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Is the sudden death of a baby under one year of age with no clear cause.

11. Environmental Hazards
Environmental Hazards are ALL around us.
Two possible hazards to unborn babies are:
X-Rays
Chemicals (pesticides or mercury)
Radiation from x-rays can cause birth defects
Always wear abdominal shields if x-ray is necessary
Dental X-Rays are considered safe
Far from the uterus

12. Hazardous Substances and Chemicals
Substances include:
Paint
Pesticides
Lead
Carbon Monoxide
Mercury
Solvents (paint thinners)
If the pregnant woman works with some of these substances she should consult her doctor immediately.

13. Disease and Infections
Occasionally, and expectant mother might get an infection.
Some infections pose more of a risk that others
The timing of the infection may have an effect on the level of risk to the fetus.
Rubella
Toxoplasmosis
Chicken Pox
Sexually Transmitted Diseases

14. Rubella Also known as the German measles
Can cause serve birth defects
Especially in the first 3 months
Blindness
Deafness
Heart Disease
Mental Retardation
Every woman should be sure to be vaccinated for rubella before becoming pregnant.

15. Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis: is an infection caused by a parasite.
Estimated 60 million people in the US carry
Can Cause:
Blindness
Hearing Loss
Learning Disabilities
Some are so severe that the baby dies shortly after birth
Precautions
Never clean cat litter
Never eat undercooked meat
Wash hands immediately after handling raw meat

16. Chicken Pox
Varicella is a viral infection that usually occurs in childhood.
If an expectant mother get the chicken pox during the first half of her pregnancy:
Her baby has a slight risk of getting a condition called Congenital vericella syndrome
Scarring of the skin
Limb defects
Eye problems
Other serious abnormalities
Woman who have not had the chicken pox should get vaccinated before deciding to become pregnant.

17. Sexually Transmitted Infections
STI’s may be passed to the child during the birth process.
Syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, genital herpes, AIDS, and Chlamydia
Many of these diseases can be passed from the pregnant woman to the unborn child the same way nutrients are absorbed.
Doctors regularly test pregnant woman for STI’s

18. Syphilis
The effects of syphilis on an unborn baby can usually be treated if the infection is discovered before the 16th week of pregnancy.
If left untreated
Skin rash
Lesions
Bone or facial abnormalities
Deafness
Brain damage
2 in 5 pregnancies with untreated syphilis end in:
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Death

19. AIDS
There is a 35 to 65 percent risk that the virus will be passed on to the baby.
AIDS attacks the brain, and infected babies often has seizures
Most states require AIDS tests early in pregnancy
Medicine to reduce the risk to the fetus
C-Section Delivery
Less exposure

20. Genital Herpes Can cause the infant to be born with:
Brain infection
Mental retardation
Some may die
Most cases the infection is transmitted to the newborn during the birth process.
C-Section