Pregnancy
Stop drugs, alcohol and tobacco
All drugs --
prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, street drugs,
alcohol or cigarettes -- have risks. Even small risks can
add up. The baby developing inside you shares your blood
and is exposed to the drugs you use during pregnancy. Some
drugs can be very harmful to both you and your developing
baby.
No two women are the same and each pregnancy is different.
The affects of drugs used during pregnancy depend upon:
- Which drug or drugs are used
- How much of the drug is taken
- How often the drugs are used
- When, during pregnancy, the drugs are taken
- Your medical history and mental and physical health
Talk to Your Doctor
Now that you are pregnant, you really need to talk to your
doctor if you:
- Smoke - Now is the time to
quit! Check out the
Quit
smoking section of this Web site for resources to help
you kick the habit. Talk to your healthcare team; they
may have other ways to help you and may know of local support
groups.
- Are currently using any drugs -
Tell your healthcare team so they can help! Call the Substance
Use Specialist at 1-800-688-4232 for help getting treatment! Read
the Quit street drugs section
of this Web site to learn what your addiction may do to
your baby.
- Drink alcohol often, drink every
day, or drink a lot at one time - Alcohol can
cause damage to a developing baby. Talk to your doctor
if you have an alcohol problem. Your doctor can help
you get the help you need.
- Are taking any prescription medicine -
Your doctor will be able to adjust doses or switch medications
if what you are using isn't good for your growing baby.
- Use over-the-counter medicines, take
vitamins, herbs or other supplements - Before
you take any over-the-counter drugs or herbs, ask your
doctor or pharmacist about possible dangers. Do not use
anything that your doctor or nurse did not tell you to
take during this pregnancy. For more information about
medicines during pregnancy visit
 Medication
Exposures During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs).
- Breathe the cigarette smoke of others -
Secondhand smoke is dangerous for you and your baby. Download
your copy of "Oh
Baby! We want to keep you safe from secondhand smoke" for
ways you can keep the air around you and your baby smoke-free.
(If this booklet downloads too slowly, try the plain
text version)
Other Links
North CarolinaAmerican Legacy's QuitLine for pregnant smokers - 1-866-667-8278
QuitlineNC - Find support, quit help-lines,
and materials to stop smoking now
find
treatment - Find the right drug abuse treatment program
or alcohol abuse treatment program
Narcotics
Anonymous - Carolina Regional (NC/SC)
1-888-370-6262
National
For more health information, search MedlinePlus |
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Last updated: May 2015
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