Pregnant people should avoid the use of tobacco, nicotine, alcohol and drugs. Even minor use carries risks to the baby’s health, including short- and long-term illnesses.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) supports education about the risks of substance use and abuse during pregnancy. The AAFP also recommends that adults 18 years of age and older be screened for alcohol abuse. For people who appear to have a problem, physicians should provide brief intervention, prescribe treatment, and refer for counseling.
Path to better health
Stop using tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant. This can occur at any time during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you need help stopping them.
Tobacco/nicotine
Smoking can increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. Your baby could have low birth weight or certain birth defects. Smoking during or after pregnancy has also been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Other tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, carry the same risks as smoking. There is no safe amount of tobacco or nicotine at any time during pregnancy. Quitting smoking improves your health and that of your baby. You should also avoid secondhand smoke during pregnancy.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause birth defects and lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASDs are a group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. Effects can include physical problems and behavioral and learning problems. Often a person has a combination of these problems.
There is no known safe amount, type, or time to drink during pregnancy.
Drugs
The use of recreational drugs such as cocaine, opioids, amphetamines (heroin/fentanyl), and cannabis carries significant risks. They can cause miscarriages, premature births, and birth defects. Your baby may go through drug withdrawal soon after birth. This is called neonatal abstinence syndrome and is very painful. It often has long-lasting effects on health.
Opioid use during pregnancy can also be harmful. You could have a placental abruption (the placenta separates prematurely from the uterus) or your baby could have fetal growth problems. If you take opioids for a medical problem, talk to your doctor about when and how to stop taking them. If you have an opioid addiction, your doctor may recommend medication-assisted therapy (MAT).
Once you know you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about all the medications you take. Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be used, while others cannot. For some medications, you may need to change the dose or type. Do not stop or start a new medication without first talking to your doctor. This includes vitamins and supplements.
