Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol

No amount of alcohol or drugs is safe for your baby at any time during pregnancy.

Why?
Alcohol, drugs (example: pot, crack, cocaine, crystal meth) and sniffing are poisonous to growing babies.

Your baby could have serious physical and mental problems, such as trouble learning or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). These problems do not go away – your baby can be damaged for life.

Did you know?
Alcohol and drugs are very addictive and dangerous. If you drink or take drugs, so does your unborn baby.

How to Help Your Baby

If you are still drinking or taking drugs, remember that stopping at any time during the pregnancy can help both you and your baby.

If you would like help to stop, talk to the CHR, CHW, addictions counselor, midwife, nurse, doctor or someone else you trust.

Always check with your Nurse, Doctor or Midwife before you take any medicine (even Tylenol™ or Aspirin™) when you are pregnant.

Smoking and Pregnancy

Unborn babies can’t get enough air when you smoke or are in smoky places.

Why?
Smoking cigarettes produces harmful chemicals that make it hard for your baby to get enough oxygen and nutrients. This means that your baby will not grow as well.

Smoking will affect your baby for life. Your baby may have learning problems, more ear infections, more colds and breathing problems.

Smoking after baby is born may also increase the risk of crib death (SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and ear infections.

Source: Health Canada.  Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2010^©