Cocaine use in pregnancy

Adverse effects of cocaine use to the fetus

The fetus of a cocaine-abusing mother is in peril throughout the course of the pregnancy. The miscarriage rate among cocaine abusers is more than double that of non-abusers.

For those fetuses who survive to the second half of the pregnancy, a substantial proportion will be found to be growth restricted and many are born prematurely.

At least one in twenty (5%) will be stillborn, which is over ten times higher than in non-users.

The rate of placental abruption (premature separation of the afterbirth) is also high and most of the affected babies die. In fact, this complication is life-threatening to the mother as well.

Any mother using cocaine in pregnancy should remember these five complications, since she is a prime candidate: Miscarriage, growth restriction, prematurity, stillbirth and placental abruption.

Course of action for a pregnant cocaine using mother

The only way to avoid these problems is to stop abusing the drug. This may be difficult but there is really no alternative.

Postnatal issues for a mother using cocaine during pregnancy

First of all, the baby may have various forms of major malformation as a direct consequence of being exposed to the drug in the womb.

Secondly, the baby will suffer severe withdrawal symptoms requiring hospitalization.

Thirdly, and more ominous, is that the baby is at great risk of cot death. The rate of this among cocaine-abusing mothers is increased more than thirty-fold compared to the general population.

Breast-feeding and the use of cocaine

Cocaine appears in breast-milk in significant quantities and its effects on the baby could be catastrophic. A mother who is still using cocaine should not consider breast-feeding.

Other risks to a baby of a cocaine-abusing mother

The baby may have abnormalities of the visual system. Hemorrhages of the retina in the eyes are rather common and the effects could be long-lasting.

There is evidence also that children exposed to cocaine in the uterus are more likely to suffer from attention-deficit disorders when compared to the general population.

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