The harmful effects of drugs on child development
The connection between mother and embryo is established immediately.
Most medications are contraindicated in the initial stages of pregnancy. The effects of drugs on pregnancy are much more powerful and unpredictable. A miscarriage is a protective reaction of nature, triggered when the fetus has significant pathologies that are incompatible with life. Mother Nature is both incredibly cruel and merciful, she saves a woman from giving birth to a sick child. This does not happen with every fetus; some embryos show an incredible will to live. Despite the effect of poisons, which are supplied to them by the mother’s body, which is designed to protect, despite the resulting pathologies, the fetus continues to develop and grow.
This is what medical research has shown.
- Heroin causes placental abruption, abnormal fetal position, and early birth. Often, impaired metabolism leads to poisoning of the baby with its own feces.
- Cocaine kills the fetus or causes the birth of a mentally retarded disabled person. Many experts call cocaine the most dangerous for pregnant women.
- Marijuana slows down development, the fetus experiences oxygen starvation. Children are often born blind or with other visual impairments.
- Tranquilizers slow down a child's growth. The baby will never be able to catch up with his peers in physical development.
- Drug addicts who inhale glue, acetone, and solvents risk getting a child with disorders in the development of the nervous system.
Most complications in children of drug addicts do not depend on the type of stimulant used. Drugs during pregnancy are harmful to the child if used systematically or even once. After being born to a drug addict, the baby experiences real withdrawal, and many newborns die. Infant mortality among mothers who are drug addicts reaches 80%. Even if the child survives, he feels unwell, cries, is susceptible to all sorts of diseases due to poor immunity, and is retarded in mental development. Such children often become refuseniks, they are sentenced to childhood in a boarding school, and often to lifelong loneliness in adulthood.
Girls, read this - this is IMPORTANT TO KNOW!!!
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING A CHILD))) Every couple sooner or later thinks about children. If you dream of a child, then in order for the pregnancy to proceed safely from the very beginning, you need to prepare in advance for conception. Experts believe that it is better to start preparing for the birth of a child three months before the expected conception. There are several factors that affect your ability to conceive. Let's take a closer look at them. Age Doctors believe that it is better to give birth to children at a young age, when the body has maximum strength and stable immunity. From a medical point of view, the optimal reproductive age of a woman is 25-35 years. At an earlier age, a woman’s body cannot yet be considered fully formed; it is not quite ready to endure the global hormonal and physiological changes associated with pregnancy. In addition, psychologists believe that a woman should develop as an individual capable of experiencing a deep sense of motherhood and passing on life experience to her child. The ideal age to conceive a child varies from 22 to 30 years. Starting from the age of 35, women experience a decrease in reproductive function. The ability to conceive naturally at this age decreases, since genetic defects accumulate in the eggs, and the woman’s body is designed in such a way that it prevents pregnancy with a sick child. A man's age has a much smaller effect on the likelihood of conception than a woman's age. Nevertheless, in men, as in women, with age, a natural process of withering begins, which is expressed in a gradual decrease in the content of male sex hormones, primarily testosterone. The natural rate of decline in testosterone synthesis is approximately 1% per year. By the age of 80, testosterone production decreases by an average of 20-50% compared to 25-40 year old men. The chances of paternity in men decrease with age, and the likelihood of conceiving a child with a particular genetic pathology also increases, although not as significantly as in a woman. Many couples are concerned about the question: does the likelihood of conceiving a healthy child decrease when there is a large age difference between parents. According to doctors, the age difference as such does not play any role in this case. The age of the future parents is important. Taking antibiotics If for some reason a woman takes or has recently taken antibiotics, they can cause disruption of the bacterial flora in the vagina, which can prevent conception. Stress One of the factors behind delayed or absent ovulation may be emotional stress. Experts identify the so-called psychogenic form of infertility. It is known that the nervous system is in close interaction with the system for regulating the hormonal functions of the body, therefore, strong nervous tension leads to hormonal imbalance and ultimately to dysfunction of the female reproductive system. Stress affects the function of the pituitary gland, which produces hormones that stimulate ovulation. Under the influence of stress, the synthesis of these hormones can sharply decrease, which leads to ovulation disorders. However, all problems should not be reduced to stress; more specific causes of infertility must be carefully excluded. Concomitant diseases Often, concomitant diseases, including those not related to the reproductive system, can significantly affect reproductive function - both in women and men. The main “contribution” in this case is made by endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, diseases of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, etc. Chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, bronchial asthma, cardiovascular diseases, etc. can have a direct or indirect effect on fertility . Your ability to conceive may be affected by the nature of your job and the substances you come into contact with while working. For example, contact with pesticides such as aldrin, dieldrin, dioxin, and furan compounds negatively affects fertility. They have an estrogen-like effect: the result of their effect on the body is similar to the effect produced by excess estrogen (an imbalance of estrogen-progesterone prevents ovulation). Therefore, all these substances (especially in combination) can lead to infertility. In addition, contact with toxic substances such as oils, gasoline, herbicides, pesticides, lead, mercury, cadmium, etc. can disrupt the process of spermatogenesis in men. If you are regularly exposed to ionizing radiation at work, this leads to disturbances in the genetic apparatus of cells and can cause both the death of eggs and disturbances in the development of the child. The main source of ionizing radiation is radioactive isotopes and their decay products, the scope of which is quite wide: the nuclear industry, industries that use X-rays (medicine, X-ray diffraction analysis, flaw detection, etc.), radioactive waste storage enterprises, etc. Fertility is also negatively affected by increased levels of vibration, high temperature and toxic substances. If you are planning to conceive a child, and your work is related to one or more of the listed factors, then you need to change your job. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily during sexual contact. Modern medicine knows more than 40 different diseases and syndromes that fall under the category of STIs. Among them, the most serious are chlamydia, papillomas, genital herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and, of course, HIV. Speaking about STIs, it is necessary, first of all, to remember that sexually transmitted diseases in the early stages often do not manifest themselves in the form of any symptoms. However, STIs can cause very serious health consequences. Advanced forms of STIs can lead to infertility, causing adhesions in the fallopian tubes in women, and inflammation of the prostate gland, epididymis and seminal vesicles in men. The indication for testing for STIs is a persistent, untreatable inflammatory process, which is reflected in smears for flora and the degree of purity in the form of an increased content of leukocytes. Smoking The effect of smoking on fertility has not yet been studied, but there is evidence that nicotine may reduce spermatogenesis. Statistics show that pregnancy from a smoking man occurs later than from a non-smoker, and the delay is longer the more he smokes. In addition, it is believed that a woman's smoking can hinder fertilization and egg implantation, which overall prevents conception. Moreover, smoking also includes so-called passive smoking. Scientists believe that smoking can create a critical situation when conception is difficult due to other objective reasons, for example, pregnancy is planned at an advanced age. In addition, it reduces the chances of success in infertility treatment. Both partners should limit smoking and, if possible, give up this habit if they are planning to have a child. Alcohol As for the proven effect of alcohol on conception, only the consumption of large quantities of alcohol by a woman after conception can have a direct damaging effect on the embryo. Alcohol consumption by the father can also have an impact on conception, since the entry of any toxic substances into the man’s body impairs the quality of sperm, primarily by increasing the proportion of sperm with chromosomal abnormalities. Moreover, alcohol has a negative effect not only during conception, but even three months before it, since sperm are formed within 82 days. Drugs Drugs have an extremely negative effect on the reproductive system of men and women. Thus, the sexual desire of women who use drugs weakens as a result of nervous and hormonal disorders, as well as failures in the complex coordination between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. It is these parts of the brain that are responsible for sexual function. Under the influence of drugs, a person’s level of sex hormones in the blood plasma decreases, and mainly testosterone, which is a biological chemical that increases the sexual sensitivity of the nerve endings of the skin and mucous membranes. In sexual partners, sexual reactions may be dulled or completely absent. People who regularly took hard drugs are more likely to have children with drug addiction or various developmental disabilities. The ability to conceive can also be affected by the so-called soft drugs of the hemp group. As scientists have found, the sperm of men who regularly smoke marijuana may lose the ability to fertilize an egg due to premature combustion. Research shows that such sperm moves too quickly towards the egg and reaches it prematurely. In addition, marijuana users have a significantly lower total sperm count than men who do not use cannabis, and the ejaculate contains a large number of pathological forms of sperm. Weight The dependence of the ability to conceive on weight is typical mainly for women. Try to bring your weight back to normal before you become pregnant. It is known that a woman's lack of weight (especially weight less than 50 kg) can interfere with ovulation. Excess weight often causes an increase in estrogen levels, which leads to cycle irregularity and ovulation problems. Normal weight is a very important condition for conception. If the weight of a woman who cannot get pregnant is significantly less than normal, it makes sense for her to “go on a diet.” It is better to increase weight with the help of high-calorie (but not flour) foods: meat, legumes, nuts, dried fruits, and to reduce it - not by starving, but by combining a low-calorie diet with exercise. It is worth noting that excess weight also negatively affects male fertility. There are a number of recommendations that can be followed to increase the likelihood of conception. These tips are not complicated and can contribute to the onset of a long-awaited pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child. Choose the right time to conceive The most favorable time for conception is ovulation - the release of a mature egg, ready for fertilization, from the ovary into the fallopian tubes. Ovulation occurs approximately two weeks before your next period. Women often use a rectal temperature chart to determine their ovulation period. An increase in rectal temperature indicates the onset of ovulation. For many women, the temperature rises by 0.2-0.6°C 24 hours after ovulation and remains elevated until the start of the next cycle. Currently, there are special tests on sale that most accurately determine the time of the onset of a favorable period for conception - ovulation. Take vitamins It is recommended that a woman take folic acid for three months before conceiving. This reduces the risk of neurocerebral pathology in a child. You can also eat foods that contain folic acid: fresh greens, cabbage, beets, carrots, potatoes with skin, peas, beans, whole grains, bran, seeds and nuts. Stop hormonal contraception You should stop taking hormonal contraceptives 2-3 months before you plan to conceive (see above). Monitor the temperature of the male reproductive organs. Overheating of the testicles in a bathhouse or when working in a hot shop, wearing too tight underwear or jeans can worsen the quality of sperm. Remember that nature placed the testicles in the scrotum, and not in the abdominal cavity, because the comfortable temperature for them is 35°C. Avoid taking steroids Anabolic steroids can suppress the pituitary gland and change the natural balance of hormones in the body. Long-term use of steroids by men can cause irreparable damage to their endocrine system. Eat right You can speed up the onset of pregnancy, including through proper nutrition. There are many recommendations on this topic. Let us highlight the main ones. First of all, it is advisable to exclude coffee and caffeine-containing products from the diet, since caffeine is believed to suppress the reproductive function of the body. Before conception, it is advisable to avoid large amounts of salty, smoked, fried and foods containing preservatives. It is necessary to increase the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet, reduce the amount of sweets and fatty foods. An increase in blood sugar provokes a strong release of adrenaline, a hormone that “attacks” progesterone. Meanwhile, it is progesterone that prepares the uterine cavity for conception. You should eat foods rich in folic acid. It has been noted that vegetarianism does not contribute to the rapid onset of conception, therefore it is highly advisable for future parents to include in their diet products containing animal proteins, including meat. However, if a woman gets enough plant proteins and spends a lot of time outdoors, then vegetarianism does not interfere with conception and a successful pregnancy. Three months before conception, you must avoid drinking alcohol. Limit your nicotine intake Smoking negatively affects the fertility of men and women. Therefore, if you cannot completely quit smoking, then try to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke to a minimum. Play sports Develop a healthy lifestyle. Keeping your body in good physical shape can only benefit both of you. A woman needs to take care of her physical fitness. A variety of physical exercises, swimming, shaping, dancing, etc. – all this will strengthen the muscles and prepare the body for pregnancy and childbirth. Particular attention should be paid to strengthening the muscles of the back and abdominals. The abdominals support during pregnancy and childbirth, and the back - after them, since the daily lifting of a baby gaining weight loads the back. And it wouldn’t hurt for the future father to strengthen his muscles: he should do gymnastics with his child. In addition, active recreation, walks in the fresh air and travel outside the city, where there is no constant soot and dust, will have a beneficial effect on your overall health. However, physical activity should not be excessively intense - this can lead to exhaustion of the body. If your physical activity is so heavy that it has led to irregular periods or they have stopped altogether, then if you want to get pregnant, you need to reduce the load. Have a Moderate Sex Life Having sex every day for a week around ovulation isn't really very productive. Studies have shown that men who have an intense sex life have low sperm counts because spermatogenesis does not have time to recover. If daily sex is not the norm for you, such forced efforts can destroy your marital relationship. Having to have sex on a schedule is quite unpleasant. Relax, do it every other day and remember that sperm lives for another 72 hours after ejaculation. Use the most favorable position for conception The most favorable position for conception is “missionary” (man on top) and with the woman in the knee-elbow position (man behind). The likelihood of conception increases if a woman remains in a lying position for 20-30 minutes after ejaculation. In this case, it is advisable to slightly raise the pelvic area (for example, by placing a pillow under the lower back). Before sexual intercourse “aimed” at conception, active toileting of the female genital organs using agents that can change the acidity of the vagina is undesirable. This is especially true for douching. Regular hygiene procedures are quite sufficient. Research results show: sperm are very sensitive to the chemical composition of the environment into which they enter. Rest If you are trying to conceive, try to avoid stress. The best way to relax is to relax in nature. If you are planning a child, you need to create the most favorable conditions for conception and a successful pregnancy. Pregnancy places new demands on your body, and diseases that have not bothered you for a long time may become more active during pregnancy. It is necessary that at the time of conception your body is as healthy as possible. To do this, before a planned pregnancy, you need to visit some doctors, get tested and get all the necessary vaccinations. This is a necessary condition, since some diseases can complicate the course of pregnancy and affect the health of your unborn child. Visit the necessary doctors Before planning a pregnancy, both women and men are advised to consult a physician. Sometimes prenatal counseling in the therapist can detect diseases that a woman did not suspect in advance. This is important to heal in time. Or, at least, take into account all the features of the course of pregnancy with existing disorders, which will minimize the manifestations of toxicosis, swelling and other supposedly “indispensable” pregnancy satellites. And most importantly - to prevent the possibility of miscarriage. If you have a serious disease, such as diabetes or epilepsy, you must definitely talk to the doctor before deciding on pregnancy. Perhaps he will offer you to switch to other treatment, as some medications are harmful to the unborn child or may impede conception. Before pregnancy, you need to visit the dentist. During pregnancy, you can not do an X -ray. In addition, bad teeth are a focus of infection. And a pregnant woman is completely useless. If a woman has serious vision problems, then pregnancy can aggravate them. So, for example, with progressive myopia, doctors do not recommend giving birth naturally, but advise to make a cesarean section. All women who plan to conceive a child are recommended to visit an optometrist. If one of the future parents has close relatives with a genetic disease, it is necessary to consult a geneticist in advance in order to determine the degree of risk. Make vaccinations and take tests before you decide on pregnancy, you need to take a general blood test and consult a doctor: most women should take iron -containing drugs before pregnancy to avoid anemia. If a woman was never sick with rubella, then before becoming pregnant, she must do a blood test that will confirm that she has immunity to this disease. If there is no immunity, vaccination is required. Rubbound during pregnancy, especially at an early stage, when the internal organs of the fetus are formed, can cause serious defects in the fetus. Take the analysis in advance, because within three months after vaccination, pregnancy is extremely undesirable. You can also vaccinate from influenza, diphtheria, etc. Try to take the planned pregnancy seriously. After all, the health of your unborn child depends on this !!!
Who can help in this situation
It is absolutely clear that drugs and pregnancy are incompatible things. But what to do if a woman has already found herself in a similar situation. Who can help to minimize the above problems as soon as possible? The situation is complicated by the fact that if a pregnant woman stops taking the drug, she experiences withdrawal symptoms, withdrawal symptoms, from which the fetus often dies.
Therefore, if a pregnant woman decides not to use, she needs to go to a drug treatment hospital or a gynecologist. Such a woman will undergo detoxification (cleansing of toxins) in a hospital setting. If the drug addict has not undergone a detoxification procedure, then after birth the baby is examined by specialists. If necessary, the newborn is detoxified.
Smoking marijuana
The most common drug used by pregnant women is marijuana.
The experience of practicing doctors and research convincingly prove that the effect of marijuana on pregnancy is to increase the likelihood of miscarriage and premature birth. This is explained by the fact that placental abruption occurs, which leads to bleeding. This phenomenon occurs especially often if the mother uses this type of drug 6 times a week or more often. After birth, such a child shows all the signs of withdrawal - he sleeps poorly, often cries and trembles. His tactile sensitivity is impaired, and in the future he lags far behind his peers in mental development.
In addition, when parents use marijuana, the likelihood of conceiving a baby becomes very low. Its active component reduces testosterone levels in men and reduces the possibility of physiological ovulation in women.
Where is female drug addiction treated?
A woman drug addict is a terrifying phenomenon, not only because she is an expectant mother. Treatment of drug addiction in women is complicated by the peculiarities of female psychology. Usually girls try drugs in a state of depression, when they lack the attention of loved ones. This component is no less important for recovering from a state of anesthesia.
A drug addict needs psychological support even more than a male drug addict. Therefore, the best option for treating addictions in women is a serious drug treatment center, where, along with doctors, psychologists and volunteers who themselves have gone through a difficult path from drug addiction to a normal life take part in recovery. A pregnant woman should not waste her time; if you have a problem with drugs, immediately call the Orientir drug treatment clinic. Consult with a specialist - the happiness, health, and life of your baby now depend on you.
Predisposition to diseases
A nutritious diet is essential for a pregnant woman, and the use of opiates such as heroin, morphine, codeine and diphenhydramine causes symptoms of malnutrition in the mother, as a result of which the intrauterine growth of the fetus is delayed. Newborns are at risk of AIDS, hepatitis and endocarditis.
These children are more likely to have congenital heart disease. Drug use causes intoxication in the body of a pregnant woman, which leads to arrhythmia, a sharp increase in blood pressure, temperature, and convulsions. Already one such impact on an unborn creature is enough to cause a miscarriage or make changes in its development. Doctors have stated that cocaine limits the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta. As a result, an abnormal fetus develops.
All other drugs have a similar effect on the fetus (valium, diacepam, librium, choldicpoxide and a host of other substances). Being in an embryonic state, the fetus is very vulnerable; it is at the beginning of pregnancy that you need to be careful and attentive, otherwise the young mother will not be able to give birth to a full-fledged healthy child.
It remains to add that mothers who are drug addicts are subject to sudden mood swings; the state of “high” can change to hysterics. Can a normal child with a stable psyche be born to such a mother? Recently, amphetamines, heroin and ecstasy have been added to natural herbal drugs, which affect the body of a pregnant woman in the same way as cocaine.
The withdrawal syndrome persists, there is an increase in congenital malformations and defects of the fetus, the ability of the newborn to undergo proper mental development sharply decreases, and the risk of miscarriage and premature birth also remains. Statistics show that pregnant women who use drugs are not able to carry a child to term.
To summarize, let’s just say what the drug use poses to the mother and the unborn child:
- premature birth
- high probability of stillbirth
- fetal development slows down
- birth of a low birth weight baby
- the likelihood of having a sick child with withdrawal symptoms increases.
Even if a pregnant woman, following the advice of doctors, wants to stop taking drugs, this must be done gradually and only under supervision, otherwise the risk of fetal loss increases.
