The Consequences - Student Essay

The Consequences

by Anthony Dushane

There are many risks associated with pregnancies.  Some of the biggest risks include drinking, using drugs, and smoking during pregnancy.  The consequences of these actions can be life-altering.

The use of alcohol among pregnant women can severely affect an infant's growth and health.  Children with fetal alcohol syndrome may be born small, have problems eating and sleeping, and suffer with vision and hearing issues.  "Bearing a child is a huge responsibility," says mother Janelle Gallo, "and if you abuse it, you are irresponsible and selfish."  About one in every one thousand babies is born with fetal alcohol syndrome, according to RN Jan Nissl.  Drinking while pregnant can also affect a baby's facial features.  It may have a small head, flat face, and narrow eye openings.  Heavy alcohol abuse can also lead to miscarriage, still birth, or a baby being born premature.

Another big issue with pregnant women is smoking.  Many of the same risks you take as a smoker can put your baby at risk too, claims the Web MD Medical Reference page.  Babies exposed to nicotine in the womb may also have reduced lung capacity and are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S.).  I have seen a few babies whose mothers smoked when they were pregnant and the babies just didn't look healthy.  The ones I have seen were very little and were very irritated.  Smoking may also increase a baby's heart rate and increase the chances of miscarriage and still birth, says the Cleveland Clinic Website.

Drug use is another major problem with pregnant women and can be fatal.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, using drugs while pregnant can cause birth defects, premature babies, underweight infants, and still birth.  Marijuana can cause behavior problems, brain structure changes that persist into adolescence, and attentiveness problems.  Cocaine is one of the most deadly drugs that a woman could use during pregnancy because it can cause strokes in an unborn fetus, resulting in brain damage or death, although all illegal drugs are very dangerous.  According to the FDA, even drugs as simple as caffeine can cause problems in an unborn fetus.

Obviously, drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse among pregnant women can be life-altering.  Future mothers should strongly consider the consequences of abusing these substances.