How Does Drug and Alcohol Use Affect Pregnancy?

June 5, 2025

Pregnancy brings many changes—physically, emotionally, and even socially. It’s important to consider how different lifestyle choices can affect your baby’s health and development, such as drug and alcohol use.

If you’re struggling with addiction, you’re not alone. Many women face this challenge, and support is available. At Options for Her, we’re here to help you understand how substance use can affect pregnancy and how you can move toward a healthier future for both you and your baby.

What to Know

When a woman is pregnant, everything she consumes has the potential to reach her baby through the placenta. That includes substances like alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and other drugs. Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can interfere with a baby’s development, especially early on when vital organs are forming.

Potential effects of using drugs can result in these issues for your baby:

• Birth defects
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

These risks may vary depending on the type of substance and how often it’s used, but there is no known safe amount of alcohol or drug use during pregnancy.

How Does It Affect the Mother’s Health?

Substance use can increase the risk of pregnancy complications for the mother, including high blood pressure, infections, and issues with the placenta. It may also affect her mental health, increasing anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.

You deserve to take all the steps possible to give you and your baby the best start in life. We’re here to help.

Help Is Available

Choosing to seek help is a powerful first step. You don’t have to do this alone.

Some helpful next steps include:

• Receiving prenatal care to monitor your baby’s development and your health
• Joining a support group to share your journey with others who are in your shoes and can provide a safe, compassionate community
• Working with an addiction counselor who can help with your recovery
• Staying in a stable, loving environment where you feel cared for and supported

At Options for Her, we believe every woman deserves support, no matter her circumstances. Whether you’re actively facing addiction or in recovery, help is available. 

We’ll connect you to resources like addiction recovery and treatment programs, crisis support, case management, therapy, prenatal care, and more.Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today. We’re here for you every step of the way.