If Guys Use Drugs Heavily, Do They Have a Chance for Birth Defects?

People who abuse substances can also damage the health of their unborn children. For example, a woman who smokes marijuana during pregnancy can put the fetus at risk for a host of dangerous problems, such as low birthweight, developmental difficulties, and even drug addiction. Similarly, a woman who drinks alcohol while pregnant—perhaps before she even realizes she’s pregnant—can cause heart defects, growth retardation, and serious neurological injury to the fetus (commonly known as fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS).

Specifically, how does marijuana affect the fetus? Like alcohol and tobacco, marijuana use has been linked to low birth weight and premature babies. One study showed that marijuana use by the mother is associated with slow embryo growth and spontaneous abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. Other studies have shown that marijuana causes FAS-like symptoms in newborns, such as abnormally shaped heads, small size, and nervous-system difficulties. Research also suggests that the fetuses of teen mothers, as opposed to those of adult mothers, may be especially vulnerable to the damage marijuana causes, especially during the first trimester (when the teen may not even know she’s pregnant).

Symptoms such as excessive trembling and withdrawal-like irritability in newborns have also been associated with heavy marijuana use by the mother.

In addition, THC, the active component in marijuana, can be passed from mother to infant through breastfeeding.This chemical is more concentrated in the mother’s breastmilk than it is in her blood, and use of marijuana by breastfeeding mothers has been linked to motor development problems in newborns

In general, it is important to remember that the fetus can be exposed to anything that enters the mother’s body. THC can pass freely through the placenta. If marijuana poses a health risk to the mother’s body, it also poses a potential risk to the fetus she carries in her body.

For males, studies have established that marijuana can lower sperm count, but the drug can also cause slow-moving or abnormally-shaped sperm, which can ultimately lead to miscarriages, low fetal birth weight, or other health problems. Also, simply smoking marijuana around a pregnant woman could endanger both the woman and the fetus if she inhales the secondhand smoke.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the leading known cause of mental retardation is caused by maternal alcoholism or heavy drinking during pregnancy

Features of FAS include growth deficiency before and after birth; effects on the central nervous system such as intellectual impairment, developmental delays and behavioral problems; and changes in facial features such as a flattened midface, a small jaw, and a thin upper lip. .

Children with FAS commonly have problems with learning, attention, memory, and problem solving, along with incoordination, impulsiveness, and speech and hearing impairments

I have seen babies born of heroin, and cocaine addicted parents;- they were premature, hyperactive; and constantly crying with uncontrollable trembling and have seizure- withdrawal symptoms.

If I were you, i would avoid having a relationship with any guy with a drug addiction. This so-called addictive personality was used to explain the development of addiction. The addictive personality was described as an escapist, impulsive, dependent, devious, manipulative, and self-centered. Many doctors now believe that these character traits develop in addicts as a result of the addiction, rather than the traits being a cause of the addiction

In addition to a preoccupation with using and acquiring the abused substance, the diagnosis of addiction is based on five criteria:

loss of willpower
harmful consequences
unmanageable lifestyle
tolerance or escalation of use
withdrawal symptoms upon quitting

And that cravings will come back to haunt you in later years. Besides, you exposed yourself to Hepatitis B and C and HIV and even Aids. not to mention that an addicted person tend to be abusive. towards their loved one and have mood swings.