If you are a drug and alcohol user and you find you are pregnant – and you want to be pregnant – there are steps you can take to improve the health outcomes for you and your baby.
The most important things that you can do right now are:
- understand the drug you are taking
- do not stop taking any drug without medical advice
- get help – drug and alcohol counselling and medical advice – so that you and your baby have the best chance of staying healthy
- have regular appointments to make sure your baby is growing
- take simple and achievable steps to improve your diet.
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A healthy start
If you are pregnant and a regular user of alcohol and drugs, there are things you can do to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
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Smoking cigarettes
There are many chemicals in tobacco that have been proven to cause cancer. Nicotine is what makes smoking so addictive.
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Alcohol
No amount of alcohol is ‘safe’ during pregnancy. The safest thing for your baby is to not drink at all. What you drink your baby drinks too.
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Drugs
It is important not to stop taking any drugs without help from a doctor. A health professional can work with you to stop using so that it is safe for your baby.
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Drugs & you
Here we describe how common drugs and substances work on your body. All are dangerous, especially during pregnancy.
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Treating heroin use in pregnancy
When you are pregnant, treatment is aimed at avoiding withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can be harmful for your baby.
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Disclaimer
The Women’s does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided on the Website or incorporated into it by reference. The Women’s provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.