Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy

Introduction

Substance abuse during pregnancy is an ongoing problem.   These underprivileged infants can’t defend themselves or stop the harmful substances from entering their body it’s all the design of the mother but the child is the one who have to suffer from the consequences and deal with the long term effect that substance abuse can cause hopefully this essay will educate about the different risk involved for the mother and for the baby when the mother chooses to smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs during pregnancy. Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

In an article titled “An Ethnographic Study of Pregnancy and Drug Use” it stated that  by combining drug war propaganda with claims of fetal rights, new and significant violations of civil liberties and human rights are occurring. In the last twenty years, hundreds of pregnant women and new mothers have been arrested, based on the argument that a pregnant woman’s drug use is a form of abuse or neglect(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2005). In 1997, the South Carolina Supreme Court held that a pregnant woman who used cocaine and who gave birth to a healthy baby could be convicted of child abuse. More recently, a pregnant woman who used cocaine and suffered a stillbirth that was caused by an infection has been convicted of homicide by child abuse in South Carolina.

More than eighteen states now address the issue of pregnant women’s drug use in their civil child neglect laws, and a growing number of these states make it possible to remove a child based on nothing more than a single positive drug test(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2005). Like other applications of the war on drugs, the punishment of pregnant women targets vulnerable, low-income women of color those with the least access to health care or legal defense. (Murphy and Sales1994).Drug abuse is a major public health problem that impacts society on multiple levels. Directly or indirectly, every community is affected by drug abuse and addiction, as is every family. Drugs take a tremendous toll on our society at many levels.Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

We see many substances mother including alcohol, nicotine, and drugs of abuse can have negative effects on the developing fetus because they are transferred to the fetus across the placenta. For example, nicotine has been connected with premature birth and low birth weight as has the use of cocaine.Many studies have shown that babies born to marijuana users were shorter, weighed less, and had smaller head sizes than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. Smaller babies are more likely to develop health problems. Whether a baby’s health problems, if caused by a drug, will continue as the child grows, is not always known(National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 2004).

Research does show that children born to mothers who used marijuana regularly during pregnancy may have trouble concentrating, even when older. NIDA research continues to produce insights on the negative effects of drug use on the fetus. Pregnant women who are addicts can go to jail, despite Supreme Court judgments that treat addiction as a disease and punishment for it as a violation of the Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2006). Similarly, despite the fact that people who are treated for drug related health problems are supposed to have extra protections under the federal drug treatment confidentiality statute, S.C., by reinterpreting drug use as child abuse, creates a devastating exception to the statute’s privacy protections. Understanding all this knowledge I found out that substance abuse mothers are killing the child before the baby is born, as an citizen of pro-life we as an community need to help the pregnant women with drug addiction therefore we can have healthy young boys and girls(National Institute on Drug Abuse 2006). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Prenatal substance abuse continues to be a serious problem in the United States and poses important health risks for the developing fetus. The primary care pediatrician’s role in addressing prenatal substance contact includes avoidance, identification of exposure, and acknowledgment of medical issues for the exposed newborn infant, protection of the infant. This report will provide information for the most common drugs involved such as nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opiates, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

Substance abuse has been a worldwide problem at all levels of society since ancient times. Attention has been directed toward the use of legal and illegal substances by pregnant women over the past several years. Almost all drugs are known to cross the placenta and have some effect on the fetus (Lewis 2007). The effects on the human fetus of prenatal cigarette use have been identified and studied since the 1960s, the effects of alcohol and opiate use have been studied since the 1970s, and the effects a variety of other illicit drugs have been studied since the 1980s.            Many report reviews data regarding the prevalence of exposure and available technologies for identifying exposure as well as current information regarding short- and long-term outcomes of exposed infants, with the aim of facilitating pediatricians in fulfilling their role in the promotion and maintenance of infant and child health.

The purposeof this research is that many  mother are using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs during pregnancy is a major cause of preventable physical and mental damage to infants and children. Today 20 percent of pregnant women use tobacco, nearly 20 percent use alcohol and nearly six percent use illegal drugs(Kesmode 2002).  Using these substances during pregnancy usually harms not only the baby but also the mother by increasing pregnancy complications.There is no known safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

One to two drinks per day doubles the risk of having a low birthweight baby and also increases the risk of late miscarriage. Binge drinking five or more drinks in a short amount of time, it is more harmful to the baby than drinking the same amount of alcohol over a longer period of time (Kesmode 2002).  When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it passes through the placenta so the baby has the same drink the mother had. The baby’s small size and developing system, the alcohol is much more harmful to the baby than to its mother.  The more the mother drinks the greater the risk of harm. I would like to ensure that addiction and other health and welfare problems women face during pregnancy are addressed as health issues, not as crimes; that families are not needlessly separated, based on medical misinformation; and that pregnant and parenting women have access to a full range of reproductive health services, as well as non-punitive drug treatment services.

Prison is not the issue helping the mother is the issue. We don’t want the child to become an orphan or foster care we want the child to live an normal life with his or her relatives while the mother is seeking help, it would be great if they can overcome their addition before the child is born therefore they can raise their own child without law enforcement.

Review of Literature

What is a drug? A drug is any substance that, when taken, has the ability to change the way a person thinks, feels, sees or behaves ( Briggs 2005). Such substances are sometimes said to be psycho active because they work on the brain. The word drug is often used to refer to illegal street drugs. There are, however, many different kinds of drugs. For example, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine,from cough medicine to aspirin to prescription pain medications to street drugs like cocaine are so often used, they are seldom thought of as drugs. For this reason they are sometimes referred to as “invisible drugs.” Whether the drug is prescription, over-the-counter, legal or illegal, it can be classified according to its effect (Bachman, Johnston, O’Malley, & Schulenberg 2006c).

Drugs can actually reprogram the brain, so that every time a person takes the drug, the effect is a little weaker, which requires taking more and more of it to get the same feeling. Eventually, a person becomes dependent on the drug and suddenly uses it not so much to feel good but to keep from feeling bad. That is the sneaky part of addiction. Someone addicted to drugs will feel nauseated when too much time passes before they can get the drug into their bodies (Bachman, Johnston, O’Malley, & Schulenberg 2006). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Eventually, so many additional brain systems become disrupted by repeated use that obtaining and using that drug becomes the sole focus of a user’s life, despite devastating consequences and that’s the real nature of addiction. Alcohol, tobacco and drug use among pregnant women is a major public health concern, putting both mother and child at risk.

Alcohol

Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 2004). It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects. Each year, up to 40,000 babies are born with some degree of alcohol-related damage (Sokol, 2003). Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, many do not realize that moderate or even light Drinking also may harm the fetus (Bertrand, 2004)actually, no level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been proven safe.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a number of birth defects, ranging from minor to severe (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 2004). These include mental retardation; learning, emotional and behavioral problems; and defects involving the heart, face and other organs. The term “fetal alcohol spectrum disorder” is used to describe the many problems associated with exposure to alcohol before birth (Gossage, May, Philip, 2011).

The most severe of these is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a combination of physical and mental birth defects.Uncontrollable alcohol during pregnancy also increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight about less than 5 1/2 pounds and stillbirth. In 2002 a study was found that women who drank five or more drinks a week were three times more likely to have a stillborn baby than women who had less than one drink a week (Kesmodel, 2002). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the most common known causes of mental retardation, and the only cause that is entirely preventable. Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that between 1,000 and 6,000 babies in the United States are born yearly with fetal alcohol syndrome (Bertrand,2004).Babies that havefetal alcohol syndrome are abnormally small at birth and usually do not  growth in height as they get older. They have characteristic facial features, including small eyes, a thin upper lip and smooth skin in place of the normal groove between the nose and upper lip.

Their organs, especially the heart, may not form properly. Many babies withfetal alcohol syndrome also have a brain that is small and irregularly formed, and most have some degree of mental disability. Several have poor coordination, a short attention span and emotional and behavioral problems. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a disease that last for a lifetime. Even if not mentally retarded, adolescents and adults with have fetal alcohol syndrome e varying degrees of psychological and behavioral problems and often find it difficult to hold down a job and live independently (Bertrand 2004)

The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women do not drink any alcoholincluding beer, wine, wine coolers and hard liquor throughout the pregnancy and while nursing. Also most women often do not know they are pregnant for a few months, women who may be pregnant or those who are attempting to become pregnant should abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Government surveys indicate that about 13 percent of pregnant women drink during pregnancy (Bertrand, 2004). About 3 percent of pregnant women report binge drinking five or more drinks on any one occasion or frequent drinking seven or more drinks per week (Bertrand, 2004). Women who binge drink or drink frequently greatly increase the risk of alcohol-related damage to their babies.

When a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol passes swiftly through the placenta to her fetus. In the unborn baby’s immature body, alcohol is broken down much more slowly than in an adult’s body. As a result, the alcohol level of the baby’s blood can be even higher and can remain elevated longer than the level in the mother’s blood. This sometimes causes the baby to suffer lifelong damage. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fetal exposure to alcohol is one of the main preventable causes of birth defects and developmental problems in this country. More than 10 percent of women in the United States drink during pregnancy, and about 1 in 50 pregnant women binge drink ( Gossage May, Philip,  2011). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Alcohol is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the primary cause of mental retardation in the United States (Sokol,2003).The abuse of this substance is the largest form of addiction in the world. This is sometimes referred to as alcoholism, the addict being referred to as an alcoholic. It is the most readily available drug both in economic terms and in the vast numbers of outlets through which it is sold. It is legally sold under license and is socially acceptable in most cultures.

Drug and alcohol abuse is a major health problem for American women regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and age. It is costly to individuals and to society. Among 18–25-year-old women, 34% binge drink and 10% are heavy drinkers. These rates are lower among women aged 26 years or older 12.8% binge drink and 2.4% are heavy drinkers, but 6.3% of females aged 12 years or older have been classified as dependent on alcohol or illegal drugs (Fleming,Barry, 1991). Heavy drinking five or more drinks on one occasion on five or more days in the last 30 days carries a higher risk of cardiac and hepatic complications for women than men. The alcohol-associated mortality rate is 50–100 times higher, and there is an increased burden of mental and physical disability. Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Among pregnant women aged 15–44 years, 11.8% admit to drinking some alcohol during the previous month , which may put the fetus at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States (3), and 0.7% reported heavy drinking . Maternal alcoholism is one of the leading preventable causes of fetal neurodevelopmental disorders (Fleming, Barry, 1991). The economic costs of FAS for 2003 are estimated at $5.4 billion. Each case prevented is predicted to save $860,000 in lifetime direct and indirect costs (Hubbard, French 1991)

Abuse of legally prescribed drugs

Any woman who becomes pregnant needs to evaluate her lifestyle and, if necessary, make changes to protect the health of her baby. If you have a problem with addiction on or with abuse of prescription drugs, it is important that you seek help soon as possible, not only for the sake of your own health but also for the sake of the health of the baby. Opioids are prescribed to treat pain and are sometimes used as a pre-anesthetic sedative and CNS Depressants are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders (Opioid use, dependence, and addiction in pregnancy2012).

Everything that a pregnant woman ingests has the potential to affect her baby in either a positive or negative way. Oxygen and nutrients that are positive reach the fetus by crossing the placenta (Lester). Any drugs taken by a pregnant woman will also cross the placenta to reach her baby. The effects of any drug on the developing fetus are largely dependent upon the stage of a woman’s pregnancy. Prescription drugs can cause the following problems and complications during pregnancy: Contraction of the uterus which can affect the blood supply to the baby or cause preterm labor and birth Interference with normal prenatal development that can lead to birth defects or fetal demise Interference with the function of the placenta which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the baby causing some babies to be underdeveloped and underweight (Opioid use, dependence, and addiction in pregnancy2012). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Abuse of legally prescribed drugs is the second most serious drug addiction problem in our society. These last few years have seen an increasing number of people taking medically prescribed drugs such as anti-depressants, tranquilizers and sleeping tablets (Lester). Most women consume larger doses than prescribed and take the medication for reasons other than originally prescribed. Also use medication with alcohol, narcotics or other addictive substances. The ease of availability has contributed too many becoming dependent on some of these substances to be able to cope with everyday living (Lester).

Illegal drugs

Using illegal drugs while pregnant is dangerous both because of the direct effects of drugs on the developing fetus, and because women under the influence have impaired judgment and may make poor choices that put their own and their baby’s health at risk.This is the area of addiction that tends to get most publicity (Smith, 2006).

Illegal drugs include heroin, LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines (speed), cannabis, etc. These are frightening substances in that they cause havoc mentally, morally, emotionally, physically and spiritually amongst their users (Bateman, Chiriboga, 2000). Those most prone to getting involved with illegal drugs are young people who are introduced to them in their adolescent years, when they are most susceptible to being hurt by them. The curse of addiction and the drive to feed a habit leads many young people into crime, violence and even prostitution. All these areas of drug abuse can kill in one way or another.

They are dangerous and can create many moral and emotional problems for which we believe the only true lasting source of hope is the healing and forgiving power of God. Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

More than 16 percent of pregnant women smoke, putting them at risk for multiple complications including: Placenta Previa, Abruption, Preterm delivery, Low birth weight, Orofacial clefts (Smith, 2006).

Illicit drugs

Illicit means unlawful, so it’s any drug that is sold unlawfully. When people use the term, they usually think of drugs like crack, cocaine, marijuana, speed, heroine, and drugs like that, but technically, prescription drugs can fall under that category sometimes. There are five categories of illicit drugs: narcotics, stimulants, depressants, sedatives, hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels (McCabe, 2006).

Nearly 4 percent of pregnant women in the United States use illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy and other amphetamines, and heroin (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration2006, 2007). These and other illicit drugs may pose various risks for pregnant women and their babies. Some of these drugs can cause a baby to be born too small or too soon, or to have withdrawal symptoms, birth defects or learning and behavioral problems.

Because many pregnant women who use illicit drugs also use alcohol and tobacco, which also pose risks to unborn babies, it often is difficult to determine which health problems are caused by a specific illicit drug. Additionally, illicit drugs may be prepared with impurities that may be harmful to a pregnancy (McCabe, 2006). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Finally, pregnant women who use illicit drugs may engage in other unhealthy behaviors that place their pregnancy at risk, such as having extremely poor nutrition or developing sexually transmitted infections. All of these factors make it difficult to know exactly what the effects of illicit drugs are on pregnancy.Illicit drug use is the ninth leading contributing cause of death in the United States (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration2006, 2007). The public health concern about substance use during pregnancy is reflected in the statement by the US Senate Committee on Appropriations in 1991, which called for monitoring its trends and adverse effects. According to the results from a 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, 5.1 percent of women aged 15 to 44 use illicit drugs, and among the youngest patients women aged 15 to 17 – an alarming 21.6 percent use illicit drugs

Illicit drug use has major physical and mental health consequences and is associated with increased rates of sexually transmitted infections in women, including hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as depression, domestic violence, poverty, and significant prenatal and neonatal complications (Briggs2005,7). Overall, 10% of no pregnant women and 4% of pregnant women report illicit drug use, but among pregnant women aged 15–17 years, the rate of use is 15.5% (Bateman, Chiriboga2000). Drug abuse costs are estimated at more than $180 billion yearly, including $605 million associated with health care costs for drug-exposed newborns (Vidaeff, Mastrobattista2003).More than 16 percent of pregnant women smoke, putting them at risk for multiple complications. Slightly more than 5 percent of women aged 15 to 44 use illicit drugs, and among the youngest patients – women aged 15 to 17 – an alarming 21.6 percent use illicit drugs (Briggs 2005, 7). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Birth defects and other problems caused by illicit drugs are completely preventable. The March of Dimes advises women who use illicit drugs to stop before they become pregnant or to delay pregnancy until they believe they can avoid the drug completely throughout pregnancy. The March of Dimes also encourages pregnant women who use illicit drugs with the exception of heroin to stop using the drug immediately, because of the harm continued drug use may cause. Women who use heroin should consult their health care provider or a drug treatment center about methadone treatment.

Tobacco

Like drinking too much alcohol or doing drugs, smoking is also very harmful to your health. It can cause serious health conditions including cancer, heart disease, and stroke and gum disease. It can also cause eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Smoking can make it harder for a woman to get pregnant. Not only is smoking harmful to you, it’s also harmful to your baby during pregnancy (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration 2007).

When you smoke during pregnancy, your baby is exposed to dangerous chemicals like nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. These chemicals can lessen the amount of oxygen that your baby gets. Oxygen is very important for helping your baby grow healthy. Smoking can also damage your baby’s lungs (Lewis, July 2007). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to be born, with birth defects such as cleft lip or palate, prematurely, at low birth weight, underweight for the number of weeks of pregnancy. It is a well-known fact that smoking and inhaling second-hand smoke can cause cancer. Both are also harmful for an unborn baby. Each cigarette smoked by a pregnant woman denies the unborn baby of 20 minutes of the proper amount of oxygen needed by the baby to grow and develop. Most people know that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, and other major health problems. Women who smoke during pregnancy put themselves and their unborn babies at risk for other health problems. The dangers of smoking during pregnancy include premature birth, certain birth defects, and infant death (Lewis, July 2007).

Smoking makes it harder for a woman to get pregnant. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely than other women to have a miscarriage. Smoking can cause problems with the placenta—the source of the baby’s food and oxygen during pregnancy. For example, the placenta can separate from the womb too early, causing bleeding, which is dangerous to the mother and baby (Lewis, July 2007).

Smoking during pregnancy can cause a baby to be born too early or to have low birth weight making it more likely the baby will be sick and have to stay in the hospital longer. A few babies may even die.

Smoking during and after pregnancy is a risk factor of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), deaths among babies of no immediately obvious cause. Fathers-to-be who smoke also have effects on a baby. Smoking decreases sperm health and sperm count, making men who smoke less fertile. As well, second hand smoke in the home is very harmful to both the mother and the baby, even if the mom does not smoke herself (Lewis, July 2007). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Induction

The use and abuse of addictive drugs has occurred throughout many centuries. Only recently have certain drugs under question become defined as “illicit.” Many pregnant women use such medications without prior consideration to the adverse effects of these substances on their unborn children. The effects of chemicals, such as opiates, cocaine, nicotine, alcohol, and new recreational drugs, on fetal development have been seriously studied only in the last 30 years.

The difficulty in evaluating research in this area is enormous. Clear methods for differentiating drug use from drug abuse are not established. The question of whether the mere presence of the chemical in maternal serum results in fetal damage needs to be answered. Evaluating if the mother in question has told the whole truth about her drug use is difficult. Given the stigma of substance abuse during pregnancy, lack of disclosure by the mother to her health provider is common because such damaging information could ultimately lead to the separation of mother and child.

Alcohol

Drinking among pregnant women in the United States remains an important public health issue, with almost 8 percent of expectant mothers reporting alcohol use, a new study reveals. Researchers analyzed national data from 2006 to 2010 on nearly 14,000 pregnant women and more than 330,000 non-pregnant women, aged 18 to 44. They found that about 7.6 percent of pregnant women one in 13 said they drank alcohol within the past month. Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

The rate of drinking among non-pregnant women was 51.5 percent. The highest rates of alcohol use among pregnant women occurred in those who were: aged 35 to 44 (14.3 percent); college graduates (10 percent); employed (9.6 percent); or white (8.3 percent). Fetal alcohol exposure occurs when a woman drinks while pregnant.  No amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant women to drink. Nevertheless, data from prenatal clinics and postnatal studies suggest that 20 to 30 percent of women do drink at some time during pregnancy( Philip ,Gossage2011).

Levels of binge drinking frequency and intensity were higher among unmarried women 3.3 times per month and 6.4 drinks per occasion than among married women 2.6 times per month and 5.4 drinks per occasion. The researchers noted that women who binge drink before pregnancy are more likely than non-binge drinkers to continue drinking during pregnancy.

Women who fail to reduce risky drinking during pregnancy are the most likely to have a child diagnosed with FAS(Brooke, Gossage, Croxford, Adnams, Jones 2000).Evidence on a safe level of alcohol consumption for pregnant women is lacking, and even low levels of alcohol exposure have been linked to fetal alcohol effects (Sood,Delaney-Black, Covington, Nordstrom-Klee, Ager, Templin 2001) Despite efforts to educate women about the harmful effects of alcohol on a developing fetus, many women who are pregnant or may become pregnant still drink and binge drink. The Healthy People (HP) 2010 goals of 94% and 100% of pregnant women abstaining from alcohol and binge drinking, respectively, have not yet been met. In 2003, only 90.9% of pregnant women aged 15–44 abstained from alcohol. Although an improvement over the baseline rate of 86% in 1996–1997, progress still needs to be made. Alarmingly, binge drinking during pregnancy has increased in recent years, from 1.3% in 1996–1997 to 3.1% in 2003(2005). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Abuse of legally prescribed drugs

Sadly, prescription drug abuse is on the rise. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these drugs have become easier to get and are being abused more often. In fact, prescriptions for pain relievers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, jumped from 40 million in 1991 to 180 million in 2007. Prescription drug abuse must also be carefully tracked among women because of their combined vulnerabilities.

First, women are more likely than men to suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma, and victimization, all of which frequently appear with substance abuse in the form of comorbidities. Second, girls and women report using drugs to cope with stressful situations in their lives. Third, studies suggest that women are significantly more likely than men to be prescribed an amusable drug, particularly in the form of narcotics and anti-anxiety medications. These cumulative risks notwithstanding, adult men and women have roughly similar rates of non-medical use of prescription drugs; 12-17-year-old girls, however, are more likely than boys to abuse psychotherapeutic drugs, including stimulants (McCabe, 2006).

Illegal Drugs

Pregnant women of different races and ethnicities may have diverse patterns of substance abuse. It is essential that we use the findings from this report to develop better ways of getting this key message out to every segment of our community so that no woman or child is endangered by substance use and abuse. Illegal drug use was more common among black pregnant women 7.7 percent than white women 4.4 percent or Hispanic women 3.1 percent.

Illicit drugs

illicit drugs used among pregnant women aged 15 to 44 years, 4.0 percent reported using illicit drugs in the past month based on combined 2005 and 2006 NSDUH data. This rate was significantly lower than the rate among women aged 15 to 44 who were not pregnant (10.0 percent). The 2003-2004 combined rate of current illicit drug use among pregnant women (4.6 percent) was not significantly different from the 2005-2006 combined rate( Johnston,O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg 2006). Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Current illicit drug use varied by race/ethnicity in 2006. Among persons aged 12 or older, the rate was lowest among Asians 3.6 percent. Rates were 13.7 percent for American Indians or Alaska Natives, 9.8 percent for blacks, 8.9 percent for persons reporting two or more races, 8.5 percent for whites, 7.5 percent for Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, and 6.9 percent for Hispanics (Johnston,O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg 2006)..

Among youths aged 12 to 17 in 2006, the rate of current illicit drug use among American Indians or Alaska Natives was about twice the overall rate among youths 18.7 vs. 9.8 percent, respectively. The rates were 11.8 percent among youths reporting two or more races, 10.2 percent among blacks, 10.0 percent among whites, 8.9 percent among Hispanics, and 6.7 percent among Asians( Johnston,O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg 2006)..

There were no statistically significant changes between 2005 and 2006 in the rate of current illicit drug use for any racial/ethnic subgroup among persons aged 12 or older or among youths aged 12 to 17. Among young adults aged 18 to 25 who reported two or more races, the rate of current illicit drug use decreased from 31.8 percent in 2005 to 22.4 percent in 2006. In that 18-to-25-year age group, 28.5 percent of American Indians or Alaska Natives, 22.7 percent of whites, 17.3 percent of blacks, 13.9 percent of Hispanics, and 9.0 percent of Asians were current illicit drug users in 2006 (Johnston,O’Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg 2006).Among women aged 15 to 44, combined data for 2005 and 2006 indicated that the rate of past month cigarette use was lower among those who were pregnant 16.5 percent than it was among those who were not pregnant 29.5 percent.Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Tobacco

Looking at combined 2005-2006 data, rates of past month cigarette smoking were lower for pregnant women than non-pregnant women among those aged 26 to 44 10.3 vs. 29.1 percent and among those aged 18 to 25 25.6 vs. 35.6 percent. However, among those aged 15 to 17, the rate of cigarette smoking for pregnant women was higher than for non-pregnant women 23.1 vs. 17.1 percent, although the difference was not significant. Similar patterns were observed in the combined 2003-2004 data. (Schiller, Martinez, & Barnes, 2006, June 21).

In 2006, the prevalence of current use of a tobacco product among persons aged 12 or older was 16.0 percent for Asians, 24.4 percent for Hispanics, 29.1 percent for blacks, 31.4 percent for whites, 34.2 percent for persons who reported two or more races and 42.3 percent for American Indians or Alaska Natives. There were no statistically significant changes in past month tobacco use between 2005 and 2006 for any of these racial/ethnic groups(Schiller, Martinez, & Barnes, 2006, June 21).

In 2006, current cigarette smoking among youths aged 12 to 17 and young adults aged 18 to 25 was more prevalent among whites than blacks 12.4 vs. 6.0 percent for youths and 44.4 vs. 27.5 percent for young adults Among adults aged 26 or older, however, whites and blacks used cigarettes at about the same rate 24.9 and 27.2 percent. The rates for Hispanics were 8.2 percent among youths, 28.8 percent among young adults, and 23.6 percent among those aged 26 or older(Schiller, Martinez, & Barnes, 2006, June 21).

Current use of smokeless tobacco decreased from 8.1 percent in 2005 to 3.2 percent in 2006 among American Indians or Alaska Natives aged 12 to 17in the same age group, past month use of smokeless tobacco among blacks increased from 0.1 to 0.5 percent.Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Among young adults 18 to 22 years old, full-time college students were less likely to be current cigarette smokers than their peers who were not enrolled full time in college. Cigarette use in the past month in 2006 was reported by 28.4 percent of full-time college students, less than the rate of 43.5 percent for those not enrolled full time (Schiller, Martinez, & Barnes, 2006, June 21).

Methods

The methodology used to conduct this survey is fairly straightforward. It was determined that a survey instrument was the most efficient method by which to collect the information required by the joint resolution. Survey will focus on the pregnant or women with a child. The survey will ask a variety of questions. We see many pregnant women having trouble with their unborn. However, this research will use qualitative research design, Also Descriptive and Analytical Studies. Qualitative research is referred to by a variety of terms, reflecting several research approaches. The use and abuse of addictive drugs has occurred throughout many centuries. Only recently have certain drugs under question become defined as “illicit.” Many pregnant women use such medications without prior consideration to the adverse effects of these substances on their unborn children. The effects of chemicals, such as opiates, cocaine, nicotine, alcohol, and new recreational drugs, on fetal development have been seriously studied only in the last 30 years.

The difficulty in evaluating research in this area is enormous. Clear methods for differentiating drug use from drug abuse are not established. The question of whether the mere presence of the chemical in maternal serum results in fetal damage needs to be answered. Evaluating if the mother in question has told the whole truth about her drug use is difficult. Given the stigma of substance abuse during pregnancy, lack of disclosure by the mother to her health provider is common because such damaging information could ultimately lead to the separation of mother and child.

Motherhood concerns health professionals of various specialties, who require special training and studies regarding drug addiction and its consequences for the mother-to-be as well as the fetus. A sufficient supporting network aiming to addicted women‘s care and treatment throughout pregnancy and postpartum period can be created only with the state‘s contribution (Arnold, Chang, Frankel, Ling, Rodriguez, Zickmund, 2008).Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Twenty-three percent of women consumed alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs during the 9 months before delivery. However, prevalence and frequency of use varied considerably by race/ethnicity and nativity. Among foreign-born women, alcohol use was 4 times as prevalent as tobacco use during pregnancy (8% vs 2%). Among US-born women, this pattern was reversed. Newborns with White mothers were most at risk of alcohol and tobacco exposure; newborns with Black mothers were most at risk of exposure to illicit drugs; and newborns with Hispanic mothers were the least likely to be exposed to any drugs in utero. Four percent of women reported frequent use of at least 1 substance during pregnancy; 2% reported frequent alcohol use (> 1 drink/Mo), 2% reported frequent cigarette use (≥ 1 pack/day), and 1% reported frequent illicit drug use (> 1 use/Mo). US-born women and Black women were most likely to be frequent users of any substance (Morton, Martin 2013).

Socioeconomic background, social supports, paternal health behaviors, maternal stress and health history) magnified differences in substance use between Whites and non-Whites. All else being equal, Black mothers were 71% less likely than Whites to smoke during pregnancy and 41% less likely to drink, Likewise, Hispanic mothers were 76% less likely to smoke during pregnancy and 58% less likely to drink alcohol than their White counterparts (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality 2012).

Results

My results were survey tovolunteering family members and the rest of the participations will be randomly selected. This survey will focus on the pregnant or women with a child. The survey will ask a variety of questions. We see many pregnant womenhaving trouble with their unborn, however I will survey random pregnantwomen and women with children. This research will use quantitative research design, also descriptive and analytical Studies. Qualitative research is referred to by a variety of terms, reflecting several research approaches. The prevalence of prenatally exposed newborns to one or more illicit drugs averages approximately 5.5%, with a range of 1.3-50%. Variations depend on the geographical detail local vs state as well as the method of testing maternal history, urine testing, meconium testing, and a combination of these tests (Conradt, Sheinkopf 2013).

In 1998, Lester reported that the Maternal Lifestyles Study (MLS), a multicenter clinical study, evaluated the effects of fetal exposure to opiates, cocaine, or both in the United States (Lester 1998). The overall exposure rate was 10%. Of these pregnancies, the rate of perinatal morbidity was higher than the non-exposed group but was less than 5% overall. Prematurity, lower growth parameters, compromised cognitive ability, and neurological symptoms were barely significant compared with non-exposed newborns.Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) reported that, from 1996-1998, 14.8% of pregnant women consumed alcohol (Ebrahim, Gfroerer J 2003).During that same period, 2.8% of the surveyed women were reported to have used an illicit substance. Of those using illicit substances, two thirds were using marijuana, and one tenth was using cocaine.

Recent studies have shown an increase in the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome between 2000 and 2009, from 1.20 cases to 3.39 cases per 1000 hospital births per year. As well, the cost of treating an infant with neonatal abstinence syndrome increased from an estimated average of $39,400 in 2000 to $53,400 in 2009(Benneyworth, Patrick, Schumacher 2009-2012).

Based on the survey results on How Does Substance Abuse Effect Pregnancy?, females are peer pressured or associate with peers participating in sexual activities, than they are more likely to become pregnant. It is anticipated to find contradicting society and peer pressure in fact plays a crucial role in the committing of sexual activities and resulting Substance abuse while pregnant. I conducted a survey of 20 different pregnant women from Columbia, Hartsville and Marion, South Carolina aged from 15-65. 80% of participantswere African Females.

Note that 31% of the respondentsknow substance abuse could affect pregnancy and could careless, 68% knew substance abuse could affect pregnancy .59% of respondents stated they  didn’t even think about substance abuse causing the child to have delinquency behavior ,41% know substance abuse could cause the child to do delinquency acts.3% of the respondents saidDuring  pregnancy, they drink alcoholic beverages nearly every day,14% stated that they drink an alcoholic beverages several times a week .25% of the respondents stated thatthey drink less than once a month,while 58% stated they never drink during pregnancy .

I asked did they have family member smoking while pregnant ,95% of respondents stated yes and 5% stated no.54%  of the respondents were 44. During pregnancy, many participants smoke cigarettes and 87% stated that they smoke< 1, or 0 could, while 9% say they≥ 1 but<2 and 4%2 packs a day.  Just about 72% of respondents indicated they felt hurt, sad or depress that’s which cause them to do Substance abuseasked the participants did they seek help with substance abuse 77% stated that they check themselves in rehabilitation and 27% stated they didn’t seek help they stop their own. They survey asked has your child suffered from any disease or mental illness due to your substance abuse 59% of respondents stated they and 41% of the participants’ stated that the child had some mental illness.Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay

Half of the participants’ stated that they diduse any illicit drug while pregnant while 50% stated no. I asked what types illicit drugs were used, and how often did they use the drugs. 55% stated they smoke marijuana, 27% of participants crack cocaine, and 18%heroine. 54% of respondents stated they smoke or use an illicit drugs several times a week, 45% several times a month. In this study 77% said they stop abusing substances once you found out it was harming your unborn child , while 33% said no.36% of these participants’ were in their early 20’s,10% were in their late 30’s,finally 54% were in their late 50’ to early 60’s.

Conclusion

I believed that the creation of sufficiently organized health care centers, which are made especially for addicted pregnant women‘s support and are staffed with interdisciplinary teams, is more than necessary. Young mothers, who are usually impoverished and need material goods the most to prepare for the upcoming births, often receive the least material help. Young mothers are legally required to take care of their children, yet, until they are 18 years of age, they cannot legally sign contracts, such as those necessary to rent a trailer or apartment. On the one hand, they are legally responsible for providing shelter for and taking care of their children, and on the other hand, they are legally prevented from obtaining shelter. Since many teen mothers are estranged from or no longer live with their parents or with the birth fathers, this is a particularly difficult situation for them to be in. Children who grow up in dangerous conditions, the theory holds, are primed to boost the chances of having their genes survive into the next generation by choosing earlier sex, earlier motherhood and more children. We must continue identifying both short- and long-term effects of prenatal and postnatal tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and Prescription drugs exposure on the growth and neurobehavioral development of children. Future studies should consider the separate and combined effects of tobacco and alcohol exposure on the developing offspring and use study designs and methodologies that allow researchers to tease out the effects from both prenatal and postnatal time periods. Without an understanding of the exact mechanisms by which tobacco exposure affects the CNS, the causes of the cognitive and behavior problems associated with prenatal of substance abuse exposure will possibly be attributed to another exposure, to environmental factors, or to the character of the mother or child. Recognition and clarification of the effects of substance abuse exposure on the development of the child may also help improve understanding of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs. In addition, this research will facilitate the development of interventions to prevent substance use during pregnancy and to treat children prenatally exposed to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.Substance Abuse Effect on Pregnancy Sample Essay