Avoiding dangers to the baby

1. Avoiding dangers to the baby

2. Mother-to-be has a big responsibility throughout pregnancy • Good prenatal care is avoiding hazards • Alcohol • Drugs • Smoking • X-rays • Chemicals • Other substances • infections Effects of alcohol and other drugs on pregnancy

3. Researchers and doctors believe that drugs consumed during pregnancy are a major cause for birth defects linked to environmental factors • These drugs include: • Alcohol • Prescription and over-the-counter medicines • Caffeine • Nicotine • Illegal drugs, such as heroin, LSD, ecstacy, etc. • Inhalants Effects of alcohol and other drugs on pregnancy

4. Alcohol is a drug Small amount of alcohol can harm the developing baby Doctors recommend women consume no alcohol while trying to become pregnant and during pregnancy Alcohol

5. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) – incurable condition found in some children of mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy • Includes wide range of physical and mental disabilities • 1 in 5 babies born with FAS does not live to see first birthday • Delayed physical growth • Heart, liver, or kidney defects • Hyperactivity • Facial deformity • Some are mentally retarded Alcohol

6. Difficulties with learning, attention, memory, or problem solving • Interfere with tissue growth and development • Poor coordination and difficulty controlling behavior • Some children may suffer from fetal alcohol effects • Abnormalities caused by consuming alcohol while pregnant • Suffer from same problems, but to a lesser degree • Extent of damage to child is related to amount of alcohol consumed and stage of pregnancy Alcohol

7. Expectant mother should check with doctor before taking any medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements • First three months of pregnancy are the most critical because body systems are being formed • Chemicals found in some medications can cause severe harm • Include prescription and OTC • Even antacid can harm a fetus Prescription and Over-the-counter drugs

8. In 4th through 9th months, harmful substances may cause slow growth, infections, and bleeding at birth • Medicines that are not necessary should be avoided! • No drug is completely safe to use during pregnancy Prescription and Over-the-counter drugs

9. Caffeine is in coffee, tea, cocoa, and most soft drinks Also in some foods and OTC medications Caffeine is a drug Can increase fetal heart rate and movement Large amounts increase risks of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth rate Also high risks of infant death caffeine

10. Babies born with low birth weight can have serious health problems and greater risks of long-term problems Caffeine can take fluid and calcium out of the body and interfere with the absorption of iron Caffeine also makes you feel full, which can interfere with proper nutrition caffeine

11. Nicotine is harmful to the health of any person • Especially harmful to baby’s development • Low birth weight • Premature birth • Linked to respiratory infections and allergies • Secondhand smoke has similar effects Tobacco

12. Should never be used, especially for expectant mothers • Mother usually passes on addiction to baby through the bloodstream • Newborns may suffer throughout their lives • Go through period of withdrawal, those who survive have uncertain future • Many children have learning and behavioral disorders Illegal drugs

13. Cocaine proven to increase the risk • Miscarriage • Stillbirth or premature birth • May cause unborn child to have stroke • Stroke can cause brain damage, heart attack, birth defects, or death • Low birth weight • Smaller heads • Risk of seizures and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Illegal drugs

14. Tremors • Exaggerated startle response • Sleeping and feeing problems • Irritability • Developmental delay Illegal drugs

15. Marijuana and Methamphetamine • Low birth weight • Premature delivery • Breathing difficulties • Poor attention span • Drowsiness • Heart defects • Ecstasy • Heart disease • Physical abnormalities Illegal drugs

16. Pregnant women should be aware of these hazards • X-rays • Birth defects • Mother should inform medical staff if pregnant • Should always wear abdominal shields during x-rays Environmental hazards

17. Hazardous Substances and Chemicals • Pregnant women should be careful about substances at home and work • These include • Paint • Pesticides • Lead • Carbon monoxide • Mercury • Solvents Environmental hazards

18. Mother may get infection during pregnancy Some pose more risks than others Some can be treated without harm to baby, if found early and treated properly Diseases and infections

19. Rubella • “German measles” • Severe birth defects • blindness • Deafness • Heart disease • Mental retardation • Vaccine may be dangerous for pregnant women and those who become pregnant shortly after • Every women should be sure she is immune before becoming pregnant Diseases and infections

20. Toxoplasmosis • Caused by parasite • Quite common • 60 million in US carry parasite • Developing babies are at risk if mother gets disease • Never clean cat’s litter box • Never eat uncooked meat • Wash hands after handling raw meat Diseases and infections

21. Chicken Pox • Varicella is a viral infection that usually occurs in childhood • Some women who have not had it will get it during pregnancy • If pregnant woman gets it in early pregnancy, baby has slight risk of getting congenital varicella disease. • Congenital means present at birth • Can cause scarring of skin, limb defects, eye problems, and other abnormalities • Sometimes miscarriage • Women who have not had it should get the vaccine before becoming pregnant Diseases and infections

22. Chicken Pox • Some women who have not had it will get it during pregnancy • If pregnant woman gets it in early pregnancy, baby has slight risk of getting congenital varicella disease. • Congenital means present at birth • Can cause scarring of skin, limb defects, eye problems, and other abnormalities • Sometimes miscarriage • Women who have not had it should get the vaccine before becoming pregnant Diseases and infections

23. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) • Can be passed to child through the birth process • Syphilis • Gonorrhea • Hepatitis B • Genital herpes • AIDS • Chlamydia • May cause physical disabilities or even death Diseases and infections

24. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) • Most doctors test pregnant women for syphilis and group B streptococcus • Medical treatment can cure syphilis and gonorrhea and can relieve symptoms of herpes • Syphillis • Skin rash or lesions • Bone or facial defomities • Deafness • Brain damage Diseases and infections

25. Syphillis • May develop • Anemia • Jaundice • Pneumonia • 2 in 5 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, a stillbirth, or death if left untreated • AIDS • 35% to 65% risk that the virus will be passed • Attacks the brain • Baby may have seizures and retarded mental development • Many states require and AIDS test early in pregnancy • Mother with AIDS may take medication to help reduce risk of passing it to baby Diseases and infections

26. Genital Herpes • Brain infection or mental retardation • Some newborns will die • Transmitted during birth process • Medications to treat during pregnancy Diseases and infections