A Prospective Adoptive Parent Guide to Substance exposure in utero

Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. If you are looking for medical advice, please reach out to your primary care provider.

ALCOHOL IN PREGNANCY

QUICK FACTS:

 

POSSIBLE RISKS:

The following risks are POSSIBLE risks. They are not guaranteed and this list is not comprehensive. Alcohol in pregnancy may affect 2 major areas: structural growth and brain development.

 

Structural Growth Impairment:

 

Brain Development Impairment:

 

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD):

Broad term used to describe the effects of alcohol exposure in an infant and includes the following4:

 

Possible Risks by Trimesters: 

Alcohol exposure is dangerous to a fetus in all stages of gestation, but may have different effects at different times.

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

Signs of Brain Development Impairment8-13:


WHAT TO DO:

Early Detection and Intervention is very important for improving outcomes.

The initial workup to diagnose Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is performed by a multispecialty team.

 

TOBACOO AND NICOTINE IN PREGNANCY

QUICK FACTS:

 

POSSIBLE RISKS:

Risks to the pregnancy:

 

Risks after birth:

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

 

WHAT TO DO:

STIMULANTS 

QUICK FACTS

 

POSSIBLE RISKS

Cocaine:


Amphetamine and Methamphetamine: 


WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Cocaine: 


Amphetamines: 


WHAT TO DO 

OPIOIDS AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

QUICK FACTS:

 

POSSIBLE RISKS:

Increased risk of obstetric complications including2-4:

*It is difficult to determine how much risk is associated with Opioid use versus other coexisting medical problems and substances


Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS):

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

 

 

WHAT TO DO:

MARIJUANA

QUICK FACTS:


POSSIBLE RISKS: 

Growth Related Issues

Brain Development 

*The bottom line is that the impact of marijuana exposure in utero is not clear, so the guidelines continue to recommend avoidance of marijauna use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 


WHAT TO LOOK FOR:


WHAT TO DO: 


“Hi, I'm Jeremy. I am a recent medical school graduate, husband to an amazing wife, two-time adoptive parent, and Dad to my two beautiful daughters. I created this resource to help others learn about substance use in pregnancy, and how it could possibly affect your family in adoption situations. I hope you find this resource valuable and that you will share it with others in the adoption community.” 

-Jeremy Stone, DO