Pregnancy creates additional health risks for women because the body is in a more sensitive state as a fetus grows and develops. External as well as internal factors can compromise the health of the mother and baby, but making safe decisions and seeing a physician regularly to monitor the progress of the pregnancy can minimize the risks.
External factors that increase risk include alcohol, smoking, and drugs. Everything that is consumed by the mother is transferred to the fetus where concentrations remain higher for longer because of the immature body's slower metabolic body processes. 2
The majority of preventable birth defects are the result of alcohol consumption by pregnant mothers. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the leading cause of mental retardation and results in facial defects, behavior problems, deformed organs and central nervous system dysfunction. FAS is usually seen in babies of alcoholic mothers who consume more than four drinks per day. A less severe form of this affliction is called Fetal Alcohol Effects and is characterized by physical and mental defects. Since it has been proven that no amount of alcohol is safe for a fetus, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant are advised to abstain from alcohol use. 2
The health risks associated with smoking are widely known, but the damage done to a fetus is not always considered. Smoking can contribute to a baby's low birth weight, poor lung development, asthma, problems developing physically and intellectually, and behavior problems. According to the American Lung Association, maternal smoking contributes to 14% of all premature deliveries in the United States. A woman who smokes while she is pregnant also increases her chances of having placental complications, pre-term labor, and uterine infections. It is thought that the production of carbon monoxide and nicotine cause these effects. 1
Drug use by pregnant women can result in harm to unborn children. The March of Dimes provides information about pregnancy and the use of legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol and illegal drugs such as cocaine, PCP, and heroin. Because some prescription and over-the-counter drugs can also harm unborn children, the March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women speak to their doctors before taking any medication. 3
