Smoking/tobacco is very harmful to you and your baby.  The more you smoke, the more harmful it is, but tobacco in any amount is harmful including low tar and low nicotine cigarettes.  We encourage you to stop smoking immediately. Smoking can cause a number of complications, including: miscarriage, growth retardation in the baby, preterm rupture of your amniotic membrane sack, preterm labor with preterm delivery, abruption of the placenta (where the placenta comes loose from the uterine wall and is deadly to your baby and potentially deadly to you if you lose too much blood), and an abnormal location of your placenta.

Having smoked during pregnancy can cause learning disabilities in your child, hyperactivity disorders, along with decreased scores/grades on school tests.  The most severe outcome is an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in children born to mothers who smoked during their pregnancy.

Illicit drugs are harmful to your developing baby and can cause fetal death and obstetrical emergencies leading to your own death.  Please let your doctor know if you are currently using any illegal substance, as we can get you and your baby assistance.

Alcohol travels from your blood to the baby through the umbilical cord.  This can affect the baby’s growth and development and can cause fetal alcohol syndrome.  At no time is it safe for you to drink alcohol during pregnancy.