Alcohol and drugs

• Stay away from alcohol, cigarettes and drugs during pregnancy.
• These substances can seriously harm you and your baby.
• Talk to your health provider and seek help to quit.

The use of Ecstasy and methamphetamine has increased dramatically in recent years. Methamphetamine is also known as speed, ice, crank and crystal meth.

Methamphetamine
A 2006 study found that babies of women who used this drug were more likely to grow poorly before birth. Even when born full term, these babies tend to weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds. Also, the size of their heads tends to be smaller than normal. There have also been cases of birth defects, including heart defects and cleft lip/palate.

Methamphetamine appears to contribute to pregnancy complications including:

• Premature delivery
• Placental problems 

For more information on methamphetamine and pregnancy, see the fact sheet from the Organization of Teratology Information Services.

Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a type of amphetamine. There have been few studies on how Ecstasy may affect pregnancy. One small study found a possible increase in congenital heart defects and a skeletal defect called clubfoot (only in girls).

Babies exposed to Ecstasy before birth also may face some of the same risks as babies exposed to other types of amphetamines. After birth, these babies may have withdrawal-like symptoms, including jitteriness, drowsiness and breathing problems.

For more information, read the fact sheet Illicit Drug Use During Pregnancy. The March of Dimes encourages all women to avoid illicit drugs during pregnancy.

January 2008