Finding out that you are pregnant while you have active drug or alcohol abuse or addiction can be very scary. Your first concern is whether or not your substance use has caused any harm to you baby. Your next concern will likely be how you can stop using alcohol and drugs to prevent any future harm.
You may be wondering if detoxing during pregnancy is safe, but the truth is that there are many different detox treatments available that will remove the toxins from substance abuse from your body and not cause harm to your baby.
Talk to Your Doctor
It is a known fact that what the mother puts in the body is passed to the baby. Now is a really good time to have a serious and honest talk with your OB-GYN about all the substances (legal or not) you have used. Your doctor will know the best recourse to take regarding detox treatment and will most likely make a recommendation as to which is best in your situation.
Don’t Try to Quit Cold Turkey
Something to consider, depending on the severity of your alcohol or drug use, if you try to quit cold turkey – you will likely begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. If you begin to have withdrawal symptoms, so will your baby.
The side effects from certain types of substances can include: constipation and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, body aches, flu like symptoms, tremors, anxiety and much more. These side effects can be so painful that you may be tempted to return to your substance use just to find relief, which is why seeking professional assistance is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.
Drug and Alcohol Related Birth Defects
Understanding the risks that using drugs and alcohol creates for a healthy baby is important. Many young expectant mothers do not understand the danger they put their unborn baby in when they continue to their substance abuse.
According to research by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), one out of 33 babies will be born with drug related birth defects or abnormalities as a result of the mother using drugs during pregnancy. Birth defects may include eye and facial abnormalities, low birth weight and under-developed organs. These birth abnormalities are not solely based on illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine, but include prescription drug and over-the-counter medications.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is another birth abnormality that is connected to expectant mothers who continue to drink during pregnancy. FAS is a pattern of physical and mental defects during fetal development. Babies born with FAS may have central nervous system and brain damage which may result in facial abnormalities and mental retardation.
Moreover, the deficits do not stop with birth, but can last a lifetime. Babies born to alcohol and drug addicted mothers can have poor growth development, sight and hearing problems, learning and attention deficits, behavioral problems, sleeping issues and eating irregularities.
If you are pregnant and using drugs and/or alcohol, you owe it to yourself and to your baby to talk to your doctor and get help now. For a healthy baby tomorrow, stop using today.
Lara Schuster writes for Gallus Medical Detox Centers. Gallus provides safe drug and alcohol detox with customized IV therapy to comfortably alleviate withdrawal symptoms and patients are monitored 24/7 by ICU level nurses. This proven method was developed by Dr. Patrick Gallus after 15-plus years as an emergency room physician caring for alcohol and drug addicted patients. Gallus Medical Detox Centers features upscale private rooms, HDTV, Wi-Fi and personal massage. Patient confidentiality is always protected.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lara_Schuster/1567022
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