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and Drugs
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Cocaine
Effects During Pregnancy
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Considerable research into the effects of cocaine use in pregnancy
indicates that cocaine may cause bleeding, miscarriage, premature labour
and stillbirth. It also indicates that cocaine use may have an effect on
the baby's growth and development before, and even after birth.
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Cocaine increases the heart rate in both the mother and baby and the supply
of oxygen and blood to the baby is reduced. Because of the reduced supply the
baby is more likely to be small and grow slowly. Several cases of bleeding in
the brain have been reported in babies whose mothers were dependent on cocaine.
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A number of foetal abnormalities have been reported concerning
the use of cocaine during pregnancy.
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If cocaine is used close to the birth the baby may be born
excessively active and appear distressed and restless.
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Withdrawal symptoms can occur in the babies of mothers who
use cocaine regularly. These symptoms appear similar to those
of adults experiencing withdrawal and can include sleepiness and
lack of responsiveness.
What You Can Do
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Try to stop using cocaine early in your pregnancy.
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If you find it difficult to stop using cocaine talk to your doctor,
midwife, alcohol and drug counselling agency, or the Chemical
Dependency Unit at the Royal Women's Hospital.
Breast Feeding
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It is likely that cocaine will reach the baby through breast
milk. This will depend on the amount you have taken and whether
it was around the time of feeding.
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As a result of cocaine the baby may be irritable, unsettled and
difficult to feed.
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The use of cocaine is not recommended if you are breast feeding.
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