Pregnant Women
Give your baby a healthy start.
If you are pregnant and using tobacco, alcohol or drugs, your baby will be exposed to them too. These substances are harmful to you and your unborn baby, increasing the risk for serious health problems before, during and after birth.
Risks for Pregnant Mothers
The use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs while pregnant can harm you and your baby before birth. Use during pregnancy puts you at risk for:
- Having a miscarriage or stillbirth
- Giving birth early
- Having a baby with a low, unhealthy birth weight
- Having problems with the placenta, the organ that helps your baby grow
Risks to Newborn Babies
If you are pregnant and use tobacco, alcohol or drugs while pregnant you may be putting your unborn baby at risk. When a pregnant mom uses these drugs their newborn baby may go through drug withdrawal which can cause serious problems.
Some of the risks include:
- crying and screaming more than normal
- trouble sleeping
- developing asthma, more colds, coughs and ear infections
- serious birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate
- dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- crying and screaming more than normal
- trouble sleeping/feeding
- serious birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate
- brain damage
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
- dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- crying and screaming more than normal
- trouble sleeping/feeding
- serious birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate
- brain damage
- heart defects
- seizures/stroke/heart attacks
- vomiting
- dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Long-term Effects on Children
Babies exposed to tobacco, alcohol or drugs before they are born may suffer from a wide range of life-long effects.
- increased behavioral problems such as anger and anxiety
- ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- poor reading and math skills
- becoming dependent on tobacco
- stunted growth
- increased behavioral problems such as anger and anxiety
- ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- poor reading and math skills
- becoming dependent on alcohol
- depression
- stunted growth
- increased behavioral problems such as anger and anxiety
- ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- poor reading and math skills
- becoming dependent on substances
- depression
- stunted growth
Breastfeeding
Give your baby a healthy start. Make the safest choice for you and your baby. If you use tobacco, alcohol or drugs while breastfeeding, it gets passed to your baby. Even a small amount can harm your newborn.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of substance use while breastfeeding.
Ready to Quit?
When you quit, you quit for two. If you are pregnant and using tobacco, alcohol or drugs there are safe ways to quit. If you are using prescription drugs talk to your doctor about what you are taking.
You are not alone. Help is available.
Maine QuitLink
The Maine QuitLink offers free, confidential, and supportive help to quit smoking and vaping.
CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW or ENROLL ONLINE to talk with a nationally certified and trained quit coach to make a personal plan for you and help you reach your quit goals.
211 Maine
211Maine can help you quit alcohol or substances.
Call 211 or Text your zip code to 989211