Give your baby the best start in life

When you are pregnant, you can give your baby the best start in life by refusing to use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, including over-the-counter medications, unless ordered by your doctor. Eat the right foods, get a lot of rest, exercise, take care of yourself, see your doctor regularly, and find help if you need it.

If you use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs, including over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin or cold tablets, your baby can be harmed permanently. Your baby can have greater problems with learning, behavior and sickness. Remember, if you are presently using drugs, alcohol, or other drugs, quitting now increases your baby's chances of being healthy.

During pregnancy, your baby's problem with:

Alcohol

Birth defects
Limb abnormalities
Low birth weight
Small head size
Fetal alcohol syndrome - deformed face, behavior problems, retardation

Marijuana

Premature birth
Shaking and irritability
Sudden infant death
Low birth weight

Tobacco

Premature birth
Low birth weight
More vulnerable to illness and disease

Crack

Small head size
Shaking, stiffness of muscles
Trouble eating and sleeping
Less growth than normal
More crying than normal
Learning problems

Cocaine

Stillbirths, miscarriages
Drug withdrawal symptoms
Sudden infant death
More crying than normal
Less growth than normal
Trouble eating and sleeping
Developmental problems

PCP and LSD

Behavior problems
Violent temper tantrums
Poor motor skills
Sight and hearing problems

Heroin

Low birth weight
More crying than normal
Trouble eating and sleeping
Drug withdrawal symptoms

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