Women who are trying to conceive while struggling with substance use disorders have a unique set of needs, and if they’re already pregnant, they’ll need even more specialized care. Drugs and alcohol directly affect fetal development, so if you’re trying for a baby or are pregnant, it’s important to seek help as soon as you are able.
What are the risks of substance use on fertility and pregnancy?
For women who are trying to conceive, drugs and alcohol can have negative effects on their menstrual cycle, egg quality, ovarian weight, and hormonal concentration, all of which make it much harder for women to conceive.
During pregnancy, a mother and her developing baby share a bloodstream, meaning that substances are shared between mother and child. A developing baby doesn’t have enough enzymes yet to constantly detoxify their blood. Repeated exposure can lead to an elevated risk for various forms of stunted development, stillbirth, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).
Getting help for substance use disorders may seem scary, but the effects of substances make seeking support incredibly important.
What about cannabis?
Experts recommend that those who are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding abstain from cannabis. This includes in edible forms.
Cannabis is particularly unsafe during early pregnancy, as experts believe that it interferes with placental development and function. It can put those who use it or who are exposed to it at higher risk for hypertension, preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.
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