Heroin endangers pregnant mothers and it doesn’t stop there, the unborn child is also in danger

Heroin endangers pregnant mothers: Protecting the unborn child

As painful as it is, heroin endangers pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Pregnant mothers must be free from all illicit drugs and if one is already using the drug, such persons must seek for immediate treatment. Failure or delayed treatment may cause your baby his/her life during your pregnancy or shortly after birth. Besides being underweight, it is equally important to note that most babies born of heroin addict mothers will still be much smaller than average in their first birthday celebration. This can get worse if this problem is not treated. Because of that, the baby will experience heroin withdrawal thereby living in pain for months. That means heroin is out of the equation not just for women but for everybody. And if you’re struggling with heroin now, it’s not too late to get help. You can talk to doctor Dalal Akoury MD President and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center for quick professional treatment solution.

Professionalism in treatment is important as it will help you get the best without undue pressure. Take, for example, going “cold turkey” and quit drugs too quickly may work but, this can cause the death of your baby abruptly because the baby suddenly becomes hyperactive, then oxygen deprived. Experts recommend gradual withdrawal during pregnancy but on close supervision. And apart from the baby, mothers are also at risk of some serious health conditions like developing heart disease, anemia, diabetes, pneumonia, and hepatitis during pregnancy.

Heroin endangers pregnant mothers: When you expose yourself to drugs

Pregnant women who expose themselves to heroin run the risk of developing a wide range of health complications and even death. Accidental overdose can cause the death of the mother and can also result in spontaneous abortion of the fetus, and can lead to infant death shortly after birth but even if no fatalities occur, the results of heroin use during pregnancy can still be devastating. According to the American Pregnancy Association, heroin use during pregnancy can lead to:

Premature birth or low birth weight
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Bleeding in the brain
Impaired ability to breathe

Compared with a host of other risks, “low birth weight” may sound like a relatively innocuous effect but being born at less than 5 lbs., 8 oz., has been associated with myriad health problems, including heart failure, intestinal damage, and blindness. Various studies have linked low birth weight with an increased likelihood of developing certain health problems including hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Women who use heroin while pregnant are also more likely than sober women to experience poor nutrition and inadequate prenatal care both of which put mother and child at a decided disadvantage. Effects including impaired immune function, delayed cognitive development, behavior disorders, and stillbirth has all been associated with substandard nutrition while neglecting proper prenatal care can allow relatively manageable conditions to progress into more substantial threats to both mother and child. Finally, experts are working round the clock to develop safer and more effective means of treating heroin addiction in pregnant women and you can get more information about the best treatment options available for you by scheduling an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today.