• Using amphetamines during pregnancy can affect the baby's development before birth and has been linked with bleeding, early labour and miscarriage.
  


• Amphetamines cause the heart rate of the mother and baby to increase. Amphetamines also cause the baby to get less oxygen, which means that he/she may grow slowly and be smaller at birth.
  


• When amphetamines are injected there are risks associated with using or sharing injecting equipment It is possible to become infected with HIV (the virus which causes AIDS) and this virus can be passed on to the baby.
  

Withdrawal

• If amphetamines are used close to the birth, the baby may be born directly affected. Shelhe may be over-active and agitated. The babies of mothers who regularly use amphetamines may also experience withdrawal symptoms in the first few weeks after birth.
  


• Mother's who have been using amphetamines during pregnancy and continue after the birth may have difficulty coping with the usual crying and unsettled noises a baby will make.
  


• Combining other drugs with amphetamines such as tranquillisers, alcohol or heroin can increase the risks associated with their use. It can also complicate withdrawal symptoms in babies.
  

What You Can Do

• If you are thinking of becoming pregnant reducing your drug use would help you and your baby.
  


• Talk to your doctor, midwife, or drug and alcohol counsellor about the drugs you are using. If you are able to reduce your use during pregnancy you will reduce the risks to the baby and lessen the severity of withdrawal.
  

Breast Feeding

• Not much is known about the effects of amphetamines on breast feeding, although there is evidence to suggest that babies can feed poorly and be irritable. However it is not recommended to continue injecting drug use while breast feeding due to the HIV risk.