If you are thinking of getting pregnant or if you're already pregnant, here's
some information about alcohol and drug use to keep in mind.
Alcohol
Women who drink during pregnancy can miscarry or their baby can have a low
birth weight. Women who drink are also risk having a child with Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which is a term used to describe a range of symptoms
caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is
one of several diagnoses within FASD.
A child with FAS will have:
- certain characteristic facial features
- a lower weight and height than normal
- problems with the central nervous system such as:
- intellectual disabilities
- learning disabilities
- behaviour disorders
- developmental delays (for example, children with FAS may take longer
to grow and learn certain things as they get older).
Other drug use
A woman who uses marijuana, cocaine or other drugs while she is pregnant may:
- miscarry
- give birth prematurely
- have a low birth-weight baby.
If the mother uses cocaine, the newborn may have:
- a smaller head
- shorter body length
- low birth weight.
If you're pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, you can get confidential
advice on the use of alcohol and drugs during pregnancy by calling Motherisk
at 1-877-327-4636.
Additional resources
Alcohol,
Other Drugs and Pregnancy – Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Effects
Series: Cannabis – Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Effects
Series: Cocaine – Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – Canadian Centre
on Substance Abuse
References
Alcohol
and Pregnancy – Preventing FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)
– Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, 2004.
Cannabis Control in Canada. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance
Abuse, 1998.
Drugs and Drug Abuse. Toronto: Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health, 1998.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Canadian Guidelines for Diagnosis.
Canadian Medical Association journal, 172(5 suppl): S1-S21, 2005.
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