Maple Grove/Chaska Patient Handbook 2023 - 65

smoking marijuana in pregnancy. In addition, cannabis
has also been linked to problems with childhood
development and learning later on.
Methamphetamine Use & Pregnancy
It is not recommended for people to use
methamphetamine during pregnancy. Use of this
stimulant has been associated with placental abruption
(tearing of the placenta from the uterus), which increases
health risks to parent and baby. Low birth weight, heart
and brain complications in the fetus have also been
found. Some studies suggest that children who were
exposed to methamphetamine prenatally may develop
learning disorders or behavioral issues as well.
Drinking while pregnant
Alcohol use during pregnancy is one of the top
preventable causes of birth defects and developmental
disabilities. There is no known amount of alcohol that
is safe to drink while pregnant. There is no time during
pregnancy when it is safe to drink. When a pregnant
person drinks alcohol, their baby does too.
* Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause many
different birth defects and developmental disabilities.
These are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
(FASDs) and include fetal alcohol syndrome.
* FASDs can adversely affect how a person looks,
grows, thinks, and acts. FASDs can also cause birth
defects of the heart, brain, and other major organs.
* About one in twelve pregnant people in the United
States reports alcohol use. And about one in thirty
pregnant people in the United States reports binge
drinking (having five or more drinks at one time).
* Alcohol can harm a baby at any time during
pregnancy. It can cause problems in the early weeks
of pregnancy, before a person even knows they are
pregnant.
* The good news is that FASDs are 100 percent
preventable if a person does not drink alcohol while
they are pregnant.
* Health professionals should ask all of their patients
of childbearing age about alcohol use. They should
tell people about the risks of using alcohol during
pregnancy and advise them not to drink alcohol
during pregnancy.
64
The U.S. Surgeon General wants people to know they
should not drink alcohol during pregnancy.
* A pregnant person should not drink alcohol.
* A pregnant person who has already used alcohol
during their pregnancy should stop right away.
* A person who is thinking about getting pregnant
should stop using alcohol.
* Nearly half of all births in the United States are
unplanned. Therefore, any person who could become
pregnant should talk to their doctor and take steps to
lower the chance of exposing their baby to alcohol.
Promoting the health of babies, children, and adults and enhancing the potential for
full, productive living. CDC.gov/NCBDDD Department of Health and Human Services
09152005.
What Is fetal alcohol syndrome?
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of problems in
children born to people who drank alcohol during
the pregnancy. These babies are usually small and
underweight. They often have birth defects and, as they
grow older, they may have behavior problems. The most
serious problem is intellectual disability.
How common is fetal alcohol
syndrome?
In the United States, about 1,200 children are born each
year with fetal alcohol syndrome. It is the leading cause
of intellectual disability in this country.
How much alcohol can I drink and
not hurt my baby?
Even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful. Because
no amount of alcohol can be considered safe, it is
recommended that pregnant people avoid all alcohol
during the entire pregnancy. Drinks with alcohol in
them include beer, wine, hard liquor, and wine coolers.
Can my baby get fetal alcohol
syndrome even if I don't drink
alcohol every day?
Yes. In fact, most people don't drink alcohol every day.
Instead, they drink only on special occasions, such as
weekends, holidays, or parties. When they do drink,
some people have five or more drinks at a time. This is
called " binge drinking. " This pattern of drinking is very
dangerous for your baby, because it quickly makes the
http://CDC.gov/NCBDDD
Maple Grove/Chaska Patient Handbook 2023

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