Drug use and pregnancy
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If you’re pregnant, trying, or could become pregnant, it’s best to avoid any drugs.
Having a baby can be a positive reason to make changes to your life.
If you take prescription or over-the-counter drugs, discuss this with your GP or community pharmacist to ensure they're safe to take during pregnancy.
No illegal drugs are safe for use in pregnancy or when planning pregnancy. If you're using illegal drugs and finding it difficult to stop, speak to your GP or health professional for help.
No drug use means no risk to baby
If you were using any drugs before you realised you were pregnant, it’s best to stop now and avoid any more in your pregnancy.
When speaking about drugs with your midwife, be honest about how they fit into your life. Your midwife can help with any questions you have and support you to be drug-free in pregnancy.
Being drug-free in pregnancy reduces the risk of:
- early birth
- underweight birth
- feeding and breathing problems
- getting infections
- having problems with their development and growth
- miscarriage
- stillbirth
- Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI)
Important: Taking drugs in pregnancy
When you're pregnant, taking drugs can seriously affect you and your baby's health. Sometimes this can be lifelong. Taking drugs (including tobacco and alcohol) when you're pregnant, even in small quantities, can put your baby's health at serious risk. It increases the risk they'll be stillborn or will die in the first few weeks and months of life. These are difficult things to imagine happening but are real risks if you take drugs.
More about taking drugs in pregnancy from NHS informNeonatal abstinence syndrome
Being drug-free in pregnancy prevents Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Some prescribed or illegal drugs that can cause dependency can pass through the placenta and affect baby. After delivery, baby may show signs of physical withdrawal, known as NAS. Some babies who experience this may need specialist medical care and treatment to help them.
Cannabis use during pregnancy
Cannabis use during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby's health. The chemicals in cannabis, in particular tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) pass through your system, easily cross the placenta to your baby and can harm your baby's development.
It is recommended that women do not use cannabis when trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Cannabis use during pregnancy not only affects your baby's physical development but also affects baby's developing brain and nervous system.
Current research and studies
Women who do not use cannabis while pregnant are less likely to deliver prematurely and less likely to have babies with low birth weights.
Pregnant women who do not use cannabis have a lesser risk of stillbirth.
Breathing in second-hand cannabis smoke can also be risky for your baby. The smoke has many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke, avoiding these may decrease the chances for developmental problems in your baby.
Cannabis use during pregnancy affects the baby’s developing brain and nervous system. It may increase your child’s risk of developing autism, making it hard for your child to pay attention or learn. These issues may only become noticeable as your child grows older.
After birth, babies who are exposed to cannabis may also have increased tremors and a high-pitched cry.
Chemicals from cannabis can pass through your breast milk, which is rich in fat. THC is stored in fat which is slowly released over time. Often cannabis is used with tobacco which contains nicotine and other toxic substances. Therefore, avoiding both cannabis and tobacco can improve the amount and quality of milk
Using cannabis will affect your ability to properly and safely care for your baby. It reduces your ability to pay attention, make decisions or react quickly in emergencies. You could miss:
- signs of danger
- baby’s need to be comforted
- baby’s cue for hunger
- baby’s desire to play and learn
Need some friendly, confidential advice?
- Highland Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service - including contact details
- Highland Alcohol and Drug Advice and Support Service - including contact details
- Youth Action Service - at Highland Council
- Stop smoking midwives at NHS Highland
- Smoke Free Highland - for a smoke free life
- Know The Score - the real facts about drugs
- Crew - a harm reduction and outreach charity
- Highland Substance Awareness Toolkit - information in relation to substances in Highland
- Alcohol and drug dependency - more external support organisations
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If you're planning a pregnancy or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is to not drink alcohol.
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