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There are many external factors,
including alcohol, drugs, smoke,
high temperatures, radiation
exposure, and high altitudes that
can pose a serious threat to a
developing fetus. Listed in the
directory below, you will find
information that covers some
potential hazards, for which we have
provided a brief overview.
The risks involved with alcohol use
during pregnancy:
Alcohol
consumption by the mother is a
leading cause of preventable birth
defects in the fetus. Everything a
mother drinks also goes to the
fetus. Alcohol is broken down more
slowly in the immature body of the
fetus than in an adult's body. This
can cause the alcohol levels to
remain high and stay in the baby's
body longer. In addition, the risk
of miscarriage and stillbirth
increases with alcohol consumption.
One major
consequence of drinking alcohol
during pregnancy is a serious
condition called fetal alcohol
syndrome (FAS). FAS is the leading
cause of mental retardation. In
addition, FAS is characterized by
the following:
Although fewer women are smoking
during their pregnancy now than ever
before, the habit still persists
among many women. In addition, even
if a pregnant woman does not smoke,
she may be exposed to secondhand
smoke in the household, workplace,
or in social settings.
Smoke can be damaging to a fetus
in several ways, and may cause the
following:
low birthweight
preterm birth
stillbirths
increased risk of birth
defects
Subsequently, babies born to
smokers may also have the following
problems:
poor lung development
asthma and respiratory
infections
increased risk of sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS)
physical growth deficiency
intellectual development
deficiency
behavioral problems
The mother, too, may experience
problems during her pregnancy as a
result of smoking, including, but
not limited to, the following:
placental complications
preterm labor
infections in the uterus
Researchers believe the effects
of carbon monoxide (which reduces
oxygen in the blood) and nicotine
(which stimulates certain hormones)
cause many of these adverse effects.
