Five County Focus: birth defect prevention month

by Gina Dement, Public Information Officer
Five County Mental Health Authority

Did you know that the number one cause of birth defects is the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs while pregnant?

In January, many people think of making lifestyle changes for better health. Although New Year’s resolutions tend to quickly fall by the wayside if you are thinking of becoming pregnant this year, now is the perfect time to make the decision to quit smoking.

January is also a time to raise awareness of the effects to the unborn child from tobacco alcohol and drug use. As many as 400,000 babies born each year in the United States have been exposed to alcohol or drugs. Each year at least 5,000 babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and many thousand are born with problems due to drug use. Approximately thirteen percent of pregnant women in the US smoke during pregnancy even though serious complications may arise such as miscarriage or even stillbirth.

Cigarette smoke contains more than 2,500 chemicals. Nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide are thought to be the most dangerous to the fetus. Smoking during pregnancy nearly doubles a woman’s risk of having a baby with low birth weight.

While you are pregnant, everything that you put into your body is going to affect your babies growth and development. Everything that you drink your baby drinks! Everything that you smoke your baby smokes and every drug that you use your baby is also using!

Here are some of the effects of using alcohol, tobacco or drugs while pregnant:

Substance abusing women commonly have miscarriages.

Many babies are born prematurely or may have low birth-weight, stunted growth, physical deformities, vision problems, lung infections, asthma, intense crying or irritability, shaking or trembling.

Mental retardation may occur, leading to problems with learning at home and in school, attention disorders or hyperactivity.

Mother’s who breastfeed their babies should also be aware that anything consumed by the mother is also in the breast milk and will be passed to the baby.

If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, it is time to stop using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. Even some prescription medications could be harmful to your baby. The quicker you seek prenatal care, the healthier you and your baby will be. If you find that you are unable to stop using alcohol or drugs, help is available to you by calling your local mental health provider. Priority will be given to women who are substance abusers and are already pregnant or may become pregnant.

Please help your baby be born healthy. Call our ACCESS line at Mental Health at 1.877.619.3761.

Anyone, including pregnant women, can sign up for free “Freshstart” smoking cessation classes that will be starting soon. A class will be held at Healthlink, Becker Village Mall, 1620 E. 10th Street, Roanoke Rapids on February 19, 21, 26, and 28 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and a class will be held on February 6, 8, 13, and 15 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at 134 South Garnett Street, Henderson.

To sign up for the classes, please call Anne Williams, Prevention Specialist with Five County Mental Health Authority at 252.430.3077 or toll free at 1.877.619.3761.