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.

What you need to know
Pot and pregnancy don’t mix. Marijuana use can reduce fertility in both men and women, making it difficult to conceive. Marijuana use may slow the growth of the baby during pregnancy. It may also slightly increase the risk of premature delivery. Babies born too early are more likely to have health problems than babies born full term.

After birth, some babies who were regularly exposed to marijuana during pregnancy may have withdrawal-like symptoms. For example, they may cry a lot, tremble and have trouble sleeping.

Some studies suggest that children exposed to marijuana in the womb may have problems paying attention. But exposed children do not appear to have lower IQs.

What you can do
Stay away from marijuana before and during pregnancy. To help you stop smoking marijuana, try some of the ideas for quitting cigarettes. If you can’t give up the habit by yourself, ask your health care provider for help.

January 2008