Alcohol and Substance Use during Pregnancy

Prenatal substance abuse happens when an expectant mother uses drugs and/or alcohol, significantly increasing the risk for developmental and neurological disabilities in the developing fetus. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, and most women are pregnant for four to six weeks before even knowing they are. Without even knowing it, women risk exposing their developing babies to alcohol due to drinking and not using birth control during sex to prevent pregnancy. Therefore, women should not drink alcohol if they are sexually active and aren’t using long acting reversible contraception (LARC), because whenever a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby There is no safe amount of alcohol to use during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant, and there is no safe time during pregnancy to drink. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including wine and beer.

Impacts of Alcohol on overall health

• increased risk of health problems including liver disease, brain damage and breast cancer;
• women are more vulnerable than men to alcohol’s effects;
• consider contraceptive options and use protection if you are not trying to become pregnant;
• remember: NO amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

Information on Alcohol Use during Pregnancy

• Alcohol use During Pregnancy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 127 KB] – Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau
• Alcohol Overview Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking Among Pregnant People in the United States Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC infographic
• Lifelong effects of Alcohol Use During Pregnancy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC infographic
• Alcohol and Pregnancy: Why take the Risk Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC fact sheet
• FASDs Conversation Guide for Healthcare Providers Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 1.8 MB] – The Arc

Prenatal Substance Abuse

• Pregnancy and Parenting Safe Care for Substance Use Disorders – Opioid Stewardship in the Indian Health Service
• Prenatal Substance Abuse: Short- and Long-term Effects on the Exposed Fetus Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 784 KB] – American Academy of Pediatrics
• Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood: A Research Based Guide Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  –National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Opioid Use and Pregnancy

• Prescription opioids during pregnancy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – March of Dimes
• The Risks of Medical Marijuana and Prescription Opioids During Pregnancy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – March of Dimes
• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – March of Dimes
• A Collaborative Approach to the Treatment of Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorders: Practice and Policy Considerations for Child Welfare, and Collaborating Medical and Service Providers Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – [PDF -1.5 MB] CDC
• CDC Pregnancy and Opioid Medications Factsheet CDC – Pregnancy and Opioid Pain Medications Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC
• Opioids: The Prescription and Heroin Overdose Epidemic Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Medication Use During Pregnancy

• Treating for Two – CDC Guide for Medication use and pregnancy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC
• Safe Medication Use During Pregnancy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov – CDC InfoGraphic

Alcohol and Other Drug Use During Pregnancy

• What are the risks of methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy?Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov – NIDA
• Alcohol Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov – NIDA

Tobacco Use and Pregnancy

• Cessation Materials for State Tobacco Control Programs Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC
• Tobacco, drug use in pregnancy can double risk of stillbirth Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – NIH News Release