How does alcohol and other drugs harm the baby? What are some ways to reduce the occurance of these incidents?

Mothers who use drugs while pregnant are harming the baby. The fetus has no control of those factors. How does alcohol and other drugs harm the baby? What are some ways to reduce the occurance of these incidents?
Babies who are born to mothers who use alcohol or drugs while pregnant are at risk for many harmful effects. these include distorted physical features such as, abnormal facial features, small head, shorter height, low weight, and deformities of joints. These children are also subject to poor coordintaion, heart defects, mental retardation, learning disablilities, vision nd hearing problems, and behavior problems. These behavior problems include short attention span, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, and extreme anxiety. These babies are also likelt to suffer from withdraw. Children born to alcoholic mothers have the highest risk of dying from withdraw.
The best way to reduce these cases is through education and awareness. Parenting classes for expecting mothers emphasize the harm these drugs can do. Many physicians will suggest a parenting class when you go in for check-ups while pregnant. Media can also help spread awareness and educate the public. The public now has more resources than ever will substance abuse treatment centers and AA meetings. Hospitals in northern Kentucky have began to test expectant mothers when they are admitted to the hospital. These tests can be refused, but they are put in place in order to help mom and baby with early detection. Hospitals in NKY said that babies born to drugs have tripled to 36 in every 1000 in 2012 from 11 in every 1000 in 2009. The link is to the heroin epidemic in the NKY and Greater Cincinnati area. These moms need to be educated and given the resources to get help for them and their baby.

Resources:
CDC
Mayoclinic
Cincinnati.com/blogs/dailydose

Sarah L.H