ETR Spring 2023 Health Promotion Catalog

Alcoholics Anonymous www.aa.org

• Alcohol, caffeine and tobacco are drugs. They change the way you think, feel or act.

• When a pregnant woman uses a drug it goes into her blood. The

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Some drugs are more dangerous than others. But using any drug when you’re pregnant is risky. Here’s why:

A drug is a substance that changes the way your body works. There are many different kinds of drugs:

Pregnancy

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Drug use is the only cause of birth defects that can be prevented.

& Drugs

Drug Use Is Risky During Pregnancy

What Is a Drug?

Pregnancy

Help pregnant moms stay drug free Drugs can harm a baby before it’s born. • The mother may have a miscarriage. Or the baby may be born dead. (This is called stillbirth.) • The baby may come too early, Pregnancy & Drugs + Clearly explains drug risks during pregnancy + Lists things to do to help avoid risks + Encourages expectant moth rs to stay drug free + Covers alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, plus prescription, over-the-counter, and illeg l drugs + Convenient foldout chart explains effects on mother and baby Large-Format Pamphlet English #078 Spanish #271 before its body and organs are ready. Some of these babies die. • The mother can have a hard time giving birth. She may be in labor a long time. • A pregnant woman can get HIV if she shares needles to inject drugs. Her baby can be born with HIV. • A mother who uses drugs may be stressed or anxious. She may be sick or depressed. She may not eat or sleep well. All these increase the chances of harm to the baby. Drugs can harm a baby after it’s born. • The baby may weigh less at birth. It may be short and small. Small babies have more health problems. • The baby may have birth defects. Its heart, liver, kidneys or genitals may be deformed. Arms, legs, fingers or feet may be missing or deformed. The head or face may be deformed. • The baby may die suddenly for no reason. This is called crib death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). • The baby may be overactive, cry a lot and get angry easily. Later, it may have trouble thinking and learning. • The baby may be born addicted to drugs. It may be sick when it doesn’t get the drug from the mother’s blood. This is called withdrawal. Tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs can all harm your baby. How Can Drugs Harm the Baby?

Be Careful About Drugs There are many things you can do to increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

• Have regular checkups. Stay as healthy as you can to increase the chances that your baby will be born healthy. • Don’t take any drug without asking your health care provider. If you get sick while you’re pregnant, your health care provider will help you decide what’s best for you and your baby. • Read the labels on over-the-counter medicines. Ask your provider or pharmacist about the drugs that are listed. Read the labels on food and drinks. Some, such as soft drinks, contain caffeine.

• It’s never too late to stop using a drug. Any time a mother stops using drugs she increases the chances that her baby will be born healthy. • Get help. Some pregnant women may find it hard to stop using drugs. Your health care provider can help you if you want to stop using drugs.

Coping Without Drugs Many common problems of pregnancy can be treated without drugs. • Rest when tired. • Treat stress or a headache with a walk and fresh air. • Pay attention to what you eat. Proper nutrition can help relieve nausea, heartburn and constipation.

I check with my doctor before taking any kind of medicine.

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Pregnancy & Smoking + Explains the effects of carbon monoxide, tars, lead, and nicotine on babies’ bodies and brains + Foldout chart outlines 8 ways to quit smoking, including strong and weak points of each method Large-Format Pamphlet #091

Pregnancy & Marijuana + Notes that marijuana use can impair fertility + Suggests how to get help to stop using + Foldout chart explains possible risks of using marijuana during pregnancy and breastfeeding Large-Format Pamphlet #R775

Pregnancy & Alcohol + Clearly presents the most common effects of alcohol on unborn babies + Suggests how to get help to stop drinking

Pregnancy & Meth + Explains how using methamphetamine can affect the health of a pregnant woman + Discusses why this can put the unborn baby at risk + Foldout chart describes the risks for both mother and baby Large-Format Pamphlet #456

+ Foldout chart includes information on low birth

weight, brain damage, and long-term behavior problems Large-Format Pamphlet #H106

Visit etr.org/store for more pregnancy materials. 800•321•4407