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We hear so much about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy. Though you are told to avoid them, seeing what risks they actually pose can be quite telling.

Cerebral Palsy

When a baby is born prematurely or has a low birth weight, this can lead to an increased risk for cerebral palsy. This is a lifelong health condition that an individual must deal with and can greatly affect their ability to live a normal life. When a woman smokes or drinks during pregnancy, she increases her risk of having her baby prematurely. She also increases her likelihood of having a baby with a low birth weight or having birth defects. One of the most notable risks is cerebral palsy which can ensure that their baby will live with a debilitating condition for the rest of their life.

Mental Retardation

The amount of tobacco or caffeine that it takes to create a problem in an unborn child is yet unknown. However the point is that any amount can cause some serious problems, one of the most extreme being mental retardation. The alcohol and tobacco can slow down the baby’s development and ensure that a vital organ such as the brain doesn’t develop as it should. Therefore mental retardation is very possible if either substance is used extensively, and this is a risk that many moms aren’t willing to take.

Baby’s Addiction to the Substance

Though it may be unusual or an extreme, there is the potential for the baby to become addicted to the substance of choice. This is true with a potent drug such as cocaine or heroin as one might expect. However it can be quite possible even for substances that are seemingly more normal such as tobacco or alcohol. The baby may get so used to these substances entering their bloodstream that they even go through withdrawal upon birth. This can be a very scary thing to witness and can lead to long term complications for the baby.

Behavioral or Emotional Issues

When you drink alcohol, your baby has a very good chance of developing something called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This can result in behavioral issues for your baby or even mental retardation. You may find that either alcohol or tobacco can result in learning difficulties, behavioral, adjustment, or emotional issues. All of these are at greater risk if you abuse these substances.

When you see the risks, you quickly realize that nothing is worth it when it comes to your baby’s well being. These risks can be avoided if you stop using alcohol and tobacco as soon as you find out you are pregnant.

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