Drugs that are of concern in pregnancy include: alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, amphetamines, heroin, cocaine, tranquillisers and sleeping pills, painkillers, LSD, Ecstasy and other designer drugs, glues and aerosols. Some prescription drugs can also be a problem during pregnancy, so discuss this with your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant.

Drugs can be harmful to a developing foetus throughout the pregnancy but the first three months is considered the time of most risk because the major organs and limbs of the baby are forming. The PLACENTA is the means by which all supplies of nutrients, water and oxygen pass through from the mother to the baby. All drugs taken during pregnancy will reach the baby through the placenta, however there is an enormous variation in babies' responses to these drugs The variation in response to drugs depends on the following factors:

1. The actual nature of the drug, whether the drug is a sedative (for example, benzodiazepines), or a stimulant (for example, amphetamines).
   
   
2. How often the drug is used and the dose taken.
   
   
3. Whether one or more drugs are used. Some drugs have a cumulative or combined action which is more likely to be harmful for the baby.
   
   

• 4. Each baby, for reasons that are not clear, seems to have its own response to different drugs. Mothers can use the same drugs in the same amount for the same duration or length of a pregnancy, and the babies can react differently. There appears to be something in each individual baby which allows this to occur. you may know someone who has had a healthy baby even though they took drugs during their pregnancy. you cannot assume that your baby will be healthy if you take drugs during your pregnancy. No one can predict how a baby will be affected.