Reference no: EM133761168

Question

Dangers of Taking Drugs During Pregnancy For many women, pregnancy is both an exciting time and a stressful time of life. During this period, a woman's responsibilities increase and she must be vigilant in her efforts to get plenty of rest, eat nutritious foods and avoid ingesting substances which could harm her developing fetus. According to Michael R. Foley, Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, it has been estimated that up to ninety percent of pregnant women will take some form of a drug whether it be prescription or over-the-counter, social (nicotine and alcohol) or illicit (illegal street drugs). In general, these drugs can harm the unborn baby, and they should be avoided. As many as three percent of all birth defects are caused by the use of drugs during pregnancy. In some cases, medications or nutritional supplements are prescribed during pregnancy when they are necessary for the well-being of the mother and the baby. If a physician chooses to prescribe medications during pregnancy, the physician has to take into account what is described as the medication's "teratogenic rating." The study of teratology came into its own during the early 1800s, when it "became a science.