Cocaine and Pregnancy: How Cocaine Abuse Affects Babies of Pregnant Women

A pregnant woman doing cocaine can be damaging to both the mother and the unborn baby.

Cocaine should not be used at any stage of pregnancy, as ingesting cocaine when pregnant can cause harm to the unborn child. 

If you’re struggling with addiction to cocaine in pregnancy, it’s important to reach out for help as soon as possible to maintain the safety of your child. 

What Happens When a Pregnant Woman Uses Cocaine?

If a pregnant woman uses cocaine, this can be damaging to both mother and baby. Cocaine will cross the placenta, exposing the baby to this substance in utero. Additionally, it takes longer for a baby to process cocaine from the system.

Any fetal exposure to cocaine carries many serious health risks, including premature birth and FASDs (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders). FASDs can trigger adverse physical outcomes and problems with learning and behavior. These issues can persist throughout adolescence.

What Are the Effects of Cocaine on Pregnant Women?

Cocaine an illicit stimulant narcotic classified as schedule II controlled substance. Like all drugs in this class, cocaine has some medical utility, but it also has a strong potential for abuse and addiction. 

According to NSDUH 2020, 1.25 million U.S. adults were addicted to cocaine in 2020. Of women with cocaine addictions, the majority are of childbearing age. Research suggests that 5% of pregnant women report using an addictive substance like cocaine.

This study shows that there are roughly 750,000 pregnancies each year associated with prenatal cocaine exposure.

The health of a pregnant woman can impact the health of the unborn child. The maternal abuse of cocaine is associated with these negative outcomes: 

• • Improper nutrition

• • Poor pre-natal care

• • Financial stress and poverty

Cocaine use by pregnant women is associated with these health complications for the mother: 

• • High blood pressure levels

• • Cardiovascular issues

• • Migraines

• • Seizure

The effects of cocaine use by pregnant women also bring about many potential problems for unborn babies.

How Does Cocaine Abuse During Pregnancy Affect Babies?

In addition to FASDs, cocaine abuse during pregnancy can trigger the following serious complications:

• • Low birth weights

• • Premature births

• • Miscarriage

• • Placental absorption

• • Additional complications

Low birth weights

NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) reports that low birth weights of less than 5 pounds 8 ounces is one of the primary risks associated with prenatal cocaine use.

While some babies born underweight can be healthy, others experience serious problems, including:

• • Chronic infections

• • Problems gaining weight

• • Eating problems

In some cases, medical intervention may be required. 

Premature births

If a mother uses cocaine during pregnancy, this heightens the chance of premature birth. This means the baby is delivered before term at 37 weeks.

When a baby is born pre-term, this raises the risk of severe health complications. After being born, babies exposed to cocaine may encounter problems in the following areas: 

• • Cognition

• • Vision

• • Cardiovascular system

• • Developmental issues

• • Intellectual disabilities

Miscarriage

Any prenatal abuse of cocaine will increase the chance that a woman miscarries a baby. 

If you miscarry a baby after using cocaine during pregnancy, it is still possible to enjoy a healthy subsequent pregnancy.

Placental absorption

This complication can lead to the mother and baby dying without immediate medical intervention.

The placenta normally forms on the upper portion of the uterus, remaining in place until the baby is born. If the placenta detaches before the baby is born, this can starve the baby of oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously triggering profuse bleeding in the mother.

Additional complications

Cocaine abuse during pregnancy increases the likelihood of the following complications:

• • Intracranial hemorrhage

• • Circulatory problems

• • Compromised oxygen delivery

• • Cardiovascular disorders

• • Neurological issues

• • Neurodevelopmental problems

• • Polydactyly (abnormal number of digits).

• • Cleft palate

• • Limb defects

• • Down syndrome

• • Swelling of kidneys

• • Gastroschisis

Is the Damage Caused by Cocaine Use During Pregnancy Reversible?

In most cases, babies born to women with stimulant use disorder (cocaine addiction) are premature. This causes the following issues: 

• • Small head circumference

• • Shorter length

• • Underweight at birth

According to WHO (World Health Organization), preterm babies have a greater chance of developing learning disabilities, auditory complications, and visual problems.

Cocaine can also directly harm the fetus, leading to complications like heart defects and cleft palates. With the damage inflicted by cocaine, baby development can be impeded and result in 

Although some effects of prenatal cocaine use may not cause long-term damage, adverse outcomes like smaller head circumference, learning difficulties, and physical defects are irreversible. 

In the case of miscarriage and stillbirth, the damage is deadly. 

What Is the Long-Term Prognosis for Babies Exposed to Cocaine In Utero?

Prenatal cocaine misuse can lead to the following long-term problems for babies:

• • CHDs (congenital heart diseases

• • Cleft palate

• • Limb reduction defects

• • Neurodevelopmental problems

• • ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)

• • Impaired functioning during adolescence

• • Behavior problems

• • Language development problems

• • Memory issues

• • Impaired executive function

• • ODD (oppositional defiant disorder)

Research also illustrates that teens who were exposed to cocaine in utero were: 

• • More likely to develop a substance use disorder.

• • Twice as likely to use marijuana and tobacco.

• • More likely to drink alcohol.

• • Prone to aggressive outbursts.

What Is the Best Treatment to Minimize the Damage Caused by Prenatal Cocaine Abuse?

If you have been using cocaine during pregnancy, it is imperative to seek medical care for substance abuse. Early intervention can make a significant difference to the life of your unborn baby.

Although there are no pharmacological treatments for cocaine addiction, inpatient or outpatient rehab programs allow you to address the psychological aspect of stimulant use. 

Through psychotherapy and motivational therapies, you can identify what triggers you to use cocaine. A therapist will help you to develop healthy coping mechanisms so you can avoid poor behaviors and deal with life’s everyday stressors head-on. 

We can help you with treatment for cocaine addiction at an intensity to suit your needs and schedule here at Gratitude Lodge.