If you were to use alcohol marijuana or smoke cigarettes while pregnant what health risk will your baby have?

More than 90% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy. In general, drugs, unless absolutely necessary, should not be used during pregnancy because many can harm the fetus. About 2 to 3% of all birth defects result from the use of drugs other than alcohol.

Drugs taken by a pregnant woman reach the fetus primarily by crossing the placenta, the same route taken by oxygen and nutrients, which are needed for the fetus's growth and development. Drugs that a pregnant woman takes during pregnancy can affect the fetus in several ways:

• They can act directly on the fetus, causing damage, abnormal development (leading to birth defects), or death.
• They can alter the function of the placenta, usually by causing blood vessels to narrow (constrict) and thus reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus from the mother. Sometimes the result is a baby that is underweight and underdeveloped.
• They can cause the muscles of the uterus to contract forcefully, indirectly injuring the fetus by reducing its blood supply or triggering preterm labor and delivery.

Edit- by Granny Storm Crow- Cannabis has been shown to reduce the size of a baby's weight at birth, however this does notincrease infant mortality.

In the study "Mortality Within the First 2 Years in Infants Exposed to Cocaine, Opiate, or Cannabinoid During Gestation",the "cannabis only" babies had a mortality rate LOWER than "no-drug" infants! Not one "cannabis only" babies died! In contrast, 26 of the "no drugs" babies died.

A lady named Jen Alexander did a wonderful in depth (and readable) article on the "Mortality" study -"Pregnant Women Smoking Pot Could Reduce Infant Mortality". However, I really think using a vaporizer, or edibles, would be far wiser! Smoking carries with it carbon monoxide and other combustion "nasties"- vaporizing or edibles would be much safer both for Mom and the baby.

I hope you will take the time to read the study and article. Cannabis is NOT what you think it is! Cannabis is a medical miracle! (Run a search on my name and see what else I have found about this amazing healing herb!)